Mindfulness and Immune function

Question 1

What is the immune system divided up into?

Answer 1

The innate and adaptive system

Question 2

What ways can stress effect immune function?

Answer 2

It can be depressive on immune function

It can be enhanced by acute stress

It can alter the profile of cytokines increasing allergic responses

Type and duration of stress is important

Question 3

Can the Immune system affect mental health?

Answer 3

Yes. Certain cytokines in relation to macrophages have been implicated in depression

Question 4

Segerstrom and Miller noted what during there meta-analysis?

Answer 4

Chronic stress suppresses immune function

Acute stress enhances immune function

Brief naturalistic stressors change cytokine profiles

Subjective stress no effect

Stressful event sequences varied depending on event

Question 5

What did Davidson et al find with regards to MBSR?

Answer 5

MBSR increased antibodies and decreased anxiety

Question 6

What did Carlson find in 2007 with regards to MBSR and immune function?

Answer 6

Reduction in pro-inflammatory Cytokines post-intervention and at 12 month follow up.

IFN-Gamma production

Question 7

What did Witek-Janusek et al find?

Answer 7

In non-randomised CT of Breast cancer patients:

NK cells and IFN-gamma increased in MBSR