In this article, the authors reviewed the recent knowledge of psychoneuroimmunology, with the our studies and a great deal of researches that have been conducted on immune system and psychiatry. The reciprocal interactions between the central
nervous
system and immune system by at least two major pathway; the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis and autonomic nervous system, contribute to the organism's homeostasis.
There have been many studies that the stressful life events, including examination stress. seperation divorce, bereavement and social isolation ect, may be suppressive effect on the immune system. And several studies have explored the posibility
that
distress-reducting intervention might have positive immunologic consequences. It is not clear the clinical significances associated with the stress-related immunologic alternation and health changes.
Early studies revealed significant decreases in cellular immune function of depressed patients. However more recent studies have failed to reproduce the initial reports of that, exception of decrease of Nk cell activity.
We found significant alterations of immune function of some schizophrenic patients. So we expect that viruses or autoimmunities are etiologic factors in the some schizophrenic or major mental disorders, with the most rapidly advancing areas of
molecular
biology, virology and immunology.
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