Psychoneuroimmunology

Tausk, Francisco; Elenkov, Ilia J.; Moynihan, Jan A.

doi:10.1111/j.1529-8019.2008.00166.x

Cited by 106 publications

(81 citation statements)

References 109 publications

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“…The clinical application of VEI also lends itself to studying the central nervous system mediators of itch. For example, studies have suggested that patients with AD, when exposed to environmental stressors, respond with blunted production of cortisol, which may explain flare in the presence of stressors [22] . The impact of such environmental stressors on the brain can be safely and easily explored with functional magnetic resonance imaging and a VEI-based paradigm and may provide targets for noninvasive brain stimulation methods such as transcranial direct current stimulation [23] .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Are sex and history of pruritic skin conditions factors which affect the phenomenon of visually evoked itch? An exploratory study

Lloyd¹,

Dodd²,

Higgins³

et al. 2017

Itch

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Introduction:We have previously shown that sensations of itch and the scratch response can be evoked using itch-related images. However, we did not determine whether individual differences in a person's experience of itch could moderate this effect. This exploratory study aimed to determine whether sex or a history of pruritic skin conditions (PSCs) could influence the effects of visually evoked itch and scratch. Methods: Forty-one participants (19 males; 16 with a history of PSCs) viewed static images that could either be itch or nonitch related. These were further separated by picture type: "skin contact" (ants crawling on the hand vs. a butterfly on the finger); "skin response" (scratching an insect bite vs. washing the hands); "skin condition" (psoriasis vs. freckles) or "context only" (insects vs. birds). Images were rated using a 10-point scale by answering: "How itchy do you feel?" (Self-rating) and "How itchy do you think the person in the picture feels?" (Other-rating). Frequency and location of scratching was also recorded. Results: The highest itch scores were to itch-related skin contact pictures. Females gave higher itch ratings than males, and people with a history of PSCs gave higher itch ratings when viewing images of people scratching. There was no correlation between itch ratings and scratch response, and no relationship between body site viewed and location of scratching. Discussion: There is a heightened response to itch-related cues in females and those with PSCs, indicating a more centrally mediated pathway bringing subconscious itch sensations into conscious awareness in these populations. These findings could influence personalized treatment interventions aimed at reducing awareness of itch sensations in susceptible individuals.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Are sex and history of pruritic skin conditions factors which affect the phenomenon of visually evoked itch? An exploratory study

Lloyd¹,

Dodd²,

Higgins³

et al. 2017

Itch

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“…In addition and in line with the concept of psychoneuroimmunology (PNI), environmental stressors but also psychosocial stress affect neuroendocrine stress mediators and can provoke an immune situation which is not capable of controlling tumour growth. [11][12][13][14][15] Immunological control of further disease progression is therefore an aim of PNI intervention.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…At the same time there is a reduction of cellular immune responses and cytotoxic as well as NK cell activity. 11,15,16 This constellation is therefore often held responsible for reduced tumour growth control and tumour cell elimination that may occur in stressed individuals and in the elderly, which are both characterized by altered HPA function and Th2 immunity. In addition to a modified cytokine production under the influence of the HPA, stress mediators of the sympathetic axis (SA) such as noradrenaline can directly promote tumour cell growth.…”

Section: Neuroendocrine-immune Interaction and Skin Cancer Control: Tmentioning

confidence: 99%

Psychological support of skin cancer patients

Peters

2012

British Journal of Dermatology

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SummaryThe diagnosis of skin cancer imposes a great stress on our patients. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation-induced skin cancers are on the rise and frequently occur in younger patients and unexposed sites despite improved protective behaviour. Environmental factors and lifestyle habits have changed greatly in the last century and in addition to UV radiation exposure, psychosocial stressors and physical inactivity may play a role in the rising tumour incidence. With environmental stressors such as UV radiation they share the capacity to change the stress reaction. So far research into the interaction between stress, cancer and psychosocial intervention has generated some interesting results with respect to improvement of quality of life and the function of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, the sympathetic axis and natural killer cells. These results hint at a suppressive effect of chronic stress on cellular immunity and the importance of a sufficient length and intensity of any psychosocial intervention for it to be effective. Nevertheless, the evidence remains inconclusive and does not take into account the findings of current psychoneuroimmunological research. This research has demonstrated the importance of a third stress axis along which neurotrophins and neuropeptides are effective. Along this axis, regulatory mechanisms may contribute to suppress tumoricidal immune responses. This may be instrumental in the establishment of an immune response that promotes tumour progression and holds important implications for integrated therapeutic strategies. However, research into the psychoneuroimmunological benefits of psychosocial intervention is largely missing, and future interdisciplinary research is warranted for understanding and further promoting improved quality of life and psychological as well as physical well-being after psychosocial intervention.Recent studies point to the steadily rising incidence of skin cancers and the pressure rises to identify explanatory models in addition to ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure and other environmental stressors. Among them, psychosocial stress may play a hitherto underestimated role as several studies suggest that the immune response can be modified by stress and plays a role in the association between coping with a cancer diagnosis, i.e. mental stress, and long-term survival.

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“…At the same time chronic stress can lead to a state of helplessness and chronic irritability (39). The response to the stress depends not only on the type of irritation, but also to the subjective attitude of the patient.…”

Section: Psychoneuroimmunology Responses To Stressmentioning

confidence: 99%

Psychoneuroimmunology and impact of stress in chronic skin conditions

Georgiеva

2017

SSM

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Psychodermatology studies the relationship between skin and mind. The important starting point in most of the chronic skin conditions is the psychological factor. Acute adverse events are classic triggers for these diseases. Chronic distress plays an important role, especially in time of public professional and financial instability, combined with the characteristics of the personal profile of the individual. Patients suffering from chronic skin dermatoses are tense, anxious, and unable to relax. This article reviews the neuro-endocrine pathways in the genesis of psychodermatological conditions. The paradigm: chronic skin conditions, stress and psyche is discussed. The review is based on the data from English language literature using MED-LINE and PubMed.

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Psychoneuroimmunology

Cited by 106 publications

References 109 publications

Are sex and history of pruritic skin conditions factors which affect the phenomenon of visually evoked itch? An exploratory study

Are sex and history of pruritic skin conditions factors which affect the phenomenon of visually evoked itch? An exploratory study

Psychological support of skin cancer patients

Psychoneuroimmunology and impact of stress in chronic skin conditions

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