The psychoneuroimmunological system: a recently evolved networking organ system.
The phenomenon of psychological influences on immune activity and general physiology has generated a great deal of interest in the last decade. Several theories have been proposed to understand the evolution and the nature of this bi-directional communication and/or influence. It is shown that the existing theories do not fully explain most phenomena associated with this communication. A theory--the networking organ theory--is also suggested that could resolve the issue. The information obtained from recent studies on evolutionary history and the fossil record have been used as the basis for understanding the phenomenon of psychoneuroimmunology. In essence, we are not looking at the unification of the mind and the body, but at a recently evolved system that lends sophistication to the existing connection between the mind and the body.
Oncology Division, Dabur Research Foundation, Uttar Pradesh, India.
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Vishwanath
D000818:Animals; D005075:Biological Evolution; D005580:Fossils; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System / Q000502:physiology*; D008954:Models, Biological; D009424:Nervous System Physiological Phenomena; D011598:Psychoneuroimmunology; D011603:Psychophysiology