title: Psychoneuroimmunology and related mechanisms in understanding health disparities in vulnerable populations.
abstract: The nervous system as well as the endocrine system maintain extensive communication with the immune system through the influence of hormones and neurotransmitters and also by way of the hardwiring of sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves to the lymphoid organs. There is now convincing evidence that the communication between these three body systems is bidirectional. This chapter will provide a succinct review of how neuroendocrine and immune functions are affected in factors that impact vulnerability, such as aging, acute infection, and central nervous system injury. Given that the relevant literature on these topics is vast, the presentation in this chapter will serve to highlight primary references that reflect state of the science in these systems of focus.
authors.affiliation: University of Illinois at Chicago, USA.
authors.forename: Teresita L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Briones
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging / Q000208:ethnology / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D001341:Autonomic Nervous System / Q000502:physiology; D015706:Bibliometrics; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000293:injuries; D002493:Central Nervous System Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000502:physiology; D015213:Neuroimmunomodulation / Q000502:physiology*; D024802:Nurse's Role; D015399:Nursing Research / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010913:Pituitary-Adrenal System / Q000502:physiology; D011598:Psychoneuroimmunology; D012107:Research Design; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D035862:Vulnerable Populations / Q000208:ethnology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data