What is the Origin of Psychoneuroimmunology of Stress?

This discipline emerged in the 1970s, formally connecting the study of psychology, neurology, and immunology into a unified framework. The term 'stress' refers to the body's non-specific response to any demand for change, a concept popularized by Hans Selye. PNI is now a foundational science for understanding chronic illness, autoimmune disorders, and the profound physiological consequences of psychological states.

What is the Mechanism of Psychoneuroimmunology of Stress?

Stressors activate the HPA axis, leading to the release of cortisol, a potent immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory glucocorticoid, and the sympathetic nervous system, releasing catecholamines like norepinephrine. While acute responses are adaptive, chronic activation leads to immune dysregulation, characterized by a shift from a T-helper 1 to a T-helper 2 dominance, and often a state of glucocorticoid resistance. This chronic, maladaptive signaling loop drives systemic inflammation and compromises immune surveillance, directly impacting overall health and longevity.

Psychoneuroimmunology of Stress ∞ Area

Psychoneuroimmunology of Stress

Meaning

The interdisciplinary scientific study of the intricate bidirectional communication pathways that link the central nervous system, the endocrine system, and the immune system in the context of psychological and physiological stress. This field examines how chronic stress, mediated by the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and the sympathetic nervous system, alters immune cell function, inflammatory responses, and susceptibility to disease. It provides a holistic, systemic understanding of the mind-body connection in health and pathology.