Psychoneuroimmunology.
This paper develops hypotheses regarding the interactions among stress, immunity, and chemical sensitivities and gives an overview of the questions and hypotheses generated by a working group exploring the application of psychoneuroimmunology to chemical sensitivities. Consideration is given to prospective longitudinal studies designed to find cases among at-risk exposed populations. Relevant immune parameters to be measured longitudinally and in challenge studies for patients with MCS are discussed. Immune system changes in response to the chronic stress of having MCS and as primary responses to chemical exposure also are considered.
Cohen
N
N
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Rochester, New York 14642, USA. ncohn@medinfo.rochester.edu
Kehrl
H
H
Berglund
B
B
O'Leary
A
A
Ross
G
G
Seltzer
J
J
Weisel
C
C
D004780:Environment, Controlled; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D004782:Environmental Health; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008954:Models, Biological; D018777:Multiple Chemical Sensitivity / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D018579:Patient Selection; D011598:Psychoneuroimmunology; D012107:Research Design