Question

Define psychoneuroimmunology (PNI). Provide two examples of study findings arising from PNI research.

Answer 1

Psychoneuroimmunology

Psychoneuroimmunology is kind of a new field to study about the relationship between Central Nervous system and our body Imumune System.

Some researchers have found that our Central Nervous system and our Immune system are related and can communicate with each other. Psychoneuroimmunology helps to understand the whole communicating process and also try to elaborate how it can affect our health Functions.(Pace and Heim ,2011. )

The Nerves of our brain and Spinal cord gives support to the Central Nervous System, when Immune Cells are Defending against an Infection.These Systems can create some Molecules and proteins which can play the roll of messenger. In our Central Nervous System these molecules also can add Hormones and other functional Neurotransmitters.Sometimes our Immune System uses some essenial hormone that is also known as Cytokines to interact with our Central Nervous System.

Some Significant studies about Psychoneuroimmunology also have found that our Stress Level has a great influence on our Immune System.Researcher also stated that, In a normal and small injuries our body only produce Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines Hormon to kill the Infectional germs and also helps in repairing Essential Tissus or cells.But when we face mental or physical stress we always produce Adrenaline Hormone.(Irwin, 2015.)

Example

So after all the discussion it can concluded that, PNI has a great influence in describing some physical and Mental illness. Researchers also have found some examples which can be described from the study or concept of PNI.

Cancer

A recent research in 2013 have found a significant co-relation between the Psychoneuroimmunology and Cancer.Study have found tht, Immune system can get damaged for high stress level and this can be the cause of cancer. Not only that a recent study also stated that The breast cancer is also happening for Depression.People who are having cancer also stated that, They often felt Lonely and depression and this kind of depression lead to the damages in Immune System.

A recent research also stated that, people with experiences of depression have a low chance to survive from Cancer.(Christian, 2012. )

Psoriasis

Psoriasis is also can described through the concept of PNI. Psoriasis is a chronic issue that can increse your extra cells and also can influences these cells to grow very firstly. This kind of extra cells can leads to the pain and other skin problems.

Researchers have stated that,A lot of releases of cytokines from our Immune system are responsible for these new Overgrowth cells. People who have the psychological illness such as Depression and mental stress also having a high chance to have Psoriasis.Because as we all know that a high cortisol level is a common problem of this kind of mental patients and Cortisol level has a significant co-relation with the Secreation of Cytokines. An excessive releases of Cytokines has a strong influence in formation of these Extra overgrowth cells. A new Formation of overgrowth Cells is the cause of Psoriasis.(Haroon, et, al 2012.)

References

Haroon, E., Raison, C.L. and Miller, A.H., 2012. Psychoneuroimmunology meets neuropsychopharmacology: translational implications of the impact of inflammation on behavior. Neuropsychopharmacology, 37(1), p.137.

Irwin, M.R., 2015. Why sleep is important for health: a psychoneuroimmunology perspective. Annual review of psychology, 66.

Pace, T.W. and Heim, C.M., 2011. A short review on the psychoneuroimmunology of posttraumatic stress disorder: from risk factors to medical comorbidities. Brain, behavior, and immunity, 25(1), pp.6-13.

Christian, L.M., 2012. Psychoneuroimmunology in pregnancy: immune pathways linking stress with maternal health, adverse birth outcomes, and fetal development. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 36(1), pp.350-361.

Suárez, A.L., Feramisco, J.D., Koo, J. and Steinhoff, M., 2012. Psychoneuroimmunology of psychological stress and atopic dermatitis: pathophysiologic and therapeutic updates. Acta dermato-venereologica, 92(1), pp.7-18.