Psychoneuroimmunology Flashcards
1
Q
What is the response of the body when threatened?
- long/short term stress
A
- activation of the
- SNS
- increases some immune activity (NK cells)
- HPA
- suppresses some immune activity via cortisol (anti-inflammatory)
- SNS
- brief stress is beneficial as it produces an acute immediate defence from injuries - this is adaptive
- prolonged stress is harmful as it disrupts the psychological and physiological functioning of the body
2
Q
What is the impact of stress on the Hypothalmic-Pituitary-Adrenal axis (HPA)?
- what is the physiological response
A
- activation of the adrenal medulla which leads to increased corticosteroids –>
- increased protein and fat mobilisation
- increased access to bodily energy
- inhibition of inflammation
- inhibition of antibody formation
3
Q
What is the impact of stress on the Sympathetic nervous system?
- what is the physiological response
A
- activation of the adrenal medulla which leads to increased catecholamines –>
- increased breathing rate
- increased BP via vasoconstriction
- increased HR
- blood diverted to muscles and digestion slows
4
Q
What is General Adaptation Syndrome?
- 3 phases explained
A
- Alarm
- the body is mobilised against the stressor
- can be short term
- Resistance
- arousal stays high as the body defends/ adapts
- occurs when it is chronic
- Exhaustion
- resources are depleted, resistance may collapse
- the system is designed to be switched on and off - not prolonged
5
Q
Why is prolonged stress harmful?
A
-
Allostatic load
- the body actively copes with stress by trying to find a new balance
- if stress is prolonged, allostatic load accumulates
6
Q
How can Allostatic load be measured?
A
- decreased cell-mediated immunity
- inability to shut off cortisol in response to stress
7
Q
What is stress?
A
- stress is a negative experience accompanied by predictable changes aimed at altering the stressful event and/or accommodating its effects by exerting :
- biochemical
- physiological
- cognitive and
- behavioural responses
8
Q
Use the Transactional Model (Lazarus + Folkman, 1984 ) to explain the link between a stressor and experienced stress
A
- Primary appraisal
- positive/negative/neutral
- not stressful
- harmful/threatening/ challenging
- positive/negative/neutral
- Secondary appraisal
- can you cope/ do you have the resources to meet the harm/ threat/ challenge
9
Q
What is Reactivity to stress?
A
- reactivity refers to the magnitude of SNS and HPA axis responses to stress
- may vary depending on the nature of the stressor/ stress
- higher physiological reactivity is related to worse health outcomes in response to prolonged stress
10
Q
What is Coping?
- what are the modes of coping (2)
A
- actions people take to reduce stress
- processes used to manage perceived discrepancies between the demands of a situation and perceived resources
-
emotion-focused (when the situation/ stressor can’t be changed)
-
aimed at improving emotional state
- behavioural, cognitive
-
aimed at improving emotional state
-
problem-focused
- aimed at reducing demands of the situation or
- increasing resources to deal with stressful situation
11
Q
How do different coping interventions to stress lessen its effects on the immune system?
(4)
A
-
expressive writing /emotional disclosure: emotion-focused
- enhances mood, immune function, and health (Baikie & Wilhelm, 2005; Pennebaker et al., 1988)
-
relaxation / self-hypnosis / guided imagery: emotion-focused
- reduces effect of stress on immune system (Gruzelier, 2002; Kiecolt-Glaser et al., 1986)
-
problem-solving and stress management: problem + emotion-focused
- reduces the effect of stress on immune function (de Brouwer et al., 2011; Fawzy et al., 1993)
-
physical activity
- enhances mood, reduces effect of stress on cortisol (Pauly et al., 2019)
12
Q
What is the effect of social support on stress and immune function?
A
- beneficial effects on stress-related responses in immune, neuroendocrine ad cardiovascular systems
- increased sociability associated in a linear fashion with a decreased risk of developing cold (Cohen et al., 2003)
- high levels of loneliness and small social networks result in lowest antibody response to a flu vaccination (Pressman et al., 2005)
13
Q
What are the 2 pathways of influence of social support
A
-
direct effects
- via psychosocial influences on endocrine and immune function
- i.e. people feel less stressed if they feel supported
-
indirect effects
- people who provide social support can encourage better coping
- more likely to adhere to medication
- more likely to use health services
- = better health outcomes
- people who provide social support can encourage better coping
14
Q
What is the effect of depression on the immune system?
A
- negative emotions (loneliness, pessimism, depression_ impair immune function
- greater susceptibility to infections
- slower wounded healing
- reduced number and function of lymphocytes and NK cells
- changes in pro-inflammatory cytokines
- increases in interleukin-6 (mediator of fever + inflammation)
- there is a dose-response efffect
- more severe/ prolonged depression –> worse immune effects
15
Q
What are the other effects of depression on physical health?
- direct/ indirect effect
A
- more rapid diseases progression in HIV/AIDS and cancer
- Direct effect: effect on immune function
- Indirect effect: poor sleep, more likely to engage in unhealthy behaviour, lower adherence to advice/ treatment
- leads to poorer immune function and general health
