PSYC 4270 Chapter Notes - Chapter 4: Proinflammatory Cytokine, Sickness Behavior, Glucocorticoid
Document Summary
A new look at chronic stress, depression, and. A long-standing idea in the field of psychoneuroimmunology (the study of interactions between the nervous system and the immune system) is that chronic stress suppresses the immune system. The most chronic stressors were associated with the most global immunosuppression. Recent research suggests that chronic stress and depression may actually enhance certain. This includes inflammation, a broad term that refers to immune processes triggered immune responses. by damage to cells and tissues. Chronic stress and depression result more generally in immune dysregulation. This can have significant costs to an individual"s physical health, including prolonged cell and tissue damage, increased vulnerability to acute and chronic diseases, and even premature aging. The key substances involved in regulating inflammatory responses to infection and injury are. Released by a variety of cells, cytokines are proteins that serve as intercellular signals cytokines. regulating immune responses. Cytokines transmit messages by interacting with receptors on cell surfaces and.