Psychoneuroimmunology

Question 1

What are the two pathways that connect the CNS to the immune system?

Answer 1

Direct via neuron

Indirect via neuroendocrine

Question 2

What are the neuropeptides that are released with stress in the brain?

Answer 2

Catecholamines
GABA
ACh
Serotonin

Question 3

How does stress lead the CNS to alter the immune system?

Answer 3

Stress will cause the release of neuropeptides that stimulate the release of CRH from the hypothalamus leading to pituitary release of ACTH which triggers adrenal cortisol release to affect the immune system.

Question 4

What is bone marrow primarily stimulated by?

Answer 4

Noradrenergic fibers (NE)

Question 5

What is the thymus primarily stimulated by?

Answer 5

Noradrenergic fibers (NE)
Cholinergic fibers (ACh)
Peptidergic

Question 6

What is the spleen primarily stimulated by?

Answer 6

Noradrenergic fibers (NE)

Question 7

What are the lymph nodes primarily stimulated by?

Answer 7

Noradrenergic fibers (NE)
Peptidergic

Question 8

How do splanchnics control the immune system?

Answer 8

They innervate the adrenal medulla and control catecholamine release which can directly affect the immune system.

Question 9

What is the effect of cortisol on the immune system?

Answer 9

It is anti-inflammatory.

Reduces cytokines, T /B cell reactivity and NK cell reactivity

Question 10

What is the effect of E and NE on the immune system?

Answer 10

Increases leukocyte mobilization and NK cell activity

Question 11

What is the effect of beta endorphins and enkephalins on the immune system?

Answer 11

Increase T cell reactivity and NK cell activity

Question 12

What is stress?

Answer 12

Stress is conceptualized as either a physical stimulus (i.e., stressor) or a response (i.e., stress response).

Question 13

Where do endorphins come from?

Answer 13

They are a split part of POMC

Question 14

What are endorphins like? Hormones or NTs?

Answer 14

Hormones

Question 15

What are enkephalins like? Hormones or NTs?

Answer 15

NTs

Question 16

What are the main effects occurring during acute stress?

Answer 16

E and NE trigger leukocyte mobilization which causes them to redistribute to the lymph nodes

Question 17

Why is there a decrease in lymphocytes 1 hour after an acute stress?

Answer 17

One hour after parachute jumping, the number of various mononuclear cell populations decrease because the cells have localized to the regional lymph nodes.

Question 18

What is CD11a?

Answer 18

Adhesion molecule present on leukocytes that has increased expression in acute stress

Question 19

What is ICAM-1?

Answer 19

Adhesion molecule on the surface of endothelial cells that allows for leukocyte binding

Question 20

What happens to the DTH response with high cortisol levels?

Answer 20

It will decrease the DTH response

Question 21

What are the main effects occurring during chronic stress?

Answer 21

Decrease in cytokines (IL-1) and decreased Ab production

Question 22

What cytokines affect nerve firing frequencies in the CNS?

Answer 22

IL-1/6 and TNF-alpha

Question 23

What is sickness behavior?

Answer 23

It is caused by cytokines in the CNS that causes effects like fever, aches, and lethargy that are due to prostaglandins

Question 24

What is the importance of the splenic nerve?

Answer 24

Action potential will release NE which leads to ACh production by T cells. The ACh interacts with macrophages and inhibits IL-1/6 and TNF-alpha production

Question 25

What is the immediate function of the stress response?

Answer 25

Release catecholamines to mobilize leukocytes to have rapid responses in case of injury

Question 26

What is the function of the slower stress response?

Answer 26

Slower cortisol release will inhibit the immune system to maximize energy for the fight or flight response