title: Stress and disease: the missing link. A vasospastic theory. III. Stress, vasospasm and general disease.
abstract: The potential importance of vasospasm, with or without consequent thrombosis, as a mechanism in general disease is discussed and the evidence examined in one organ, namely the brain. It is concluded that vasospasm might be important in a number of neurological disorders, including migraine, epilepsy, and even some of the schizophrenia-like illnesses. Repeated ischaemic cell damage from vasospasm is also discussed as a possible factor initiating autoimmune disease and cancer. The similarities between viral transformation and neoplasia have led to the proposition that much cancer might be explained if as a species we have evolved by the gradual build-up of viruses.
mesh_terms: D001158:Arteries / Q000503:physiopathology; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D005075:Biological Evolution; D002560:Cerebrovascular Circulation; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology; D011928:Raynaud Disease / Q000209:etiology; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D014661:Vasoconstriction; D014780:Viruses / Q000235:genetics