Transplantation psychoneuroimmunology: building hypotheses.
The research findings of psychoneuroimmunology have not yet been fully applied to the field of transplantation psychiatry. Though much study has been devoted to the impact of psychiatric disease on the immunosuppressed state and disease progression in HIV-related illness, little has yet been written on the immunology implications of psychiatric disturbances in the immunosuppressed post-transplant patient. Utilizing Medline literature searches to review relevant research data in psychoneuroimmunology and transplantation immunology, the author formulates and examines four transplantation psychoneuroimmunology hypotheses involving the potential impact of depression on post-transplant organ rejection, cancer, coronary artery disease, and infections. The author concludes that though major questions remain, it appears reasonable to include the impact of depression, and possibly other psychological states, among factors that may affect the net state of immunosuppression in transplant patients.
Klapheke
M M
MM
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Louisville, KY 40202, USA. mklapheke@pol.net
D003863:Depression / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D011598:Psychoneuroimmunology; D014181:Transplantation Immunology