title: Behavioural conditioning as the mediator of placebo responses in the immune system.
abstract: Current placebo research postulates that conditioning processes are one of the major mechanisms of the placebo response. Behaviourally conditioned changes in peripheral immune functions have been demonstrated in experimental animals, healthy subjects and patients. The physiological mechanisms responsible for this 'learned immune response' are not yet fully understood, but some relevant afferent and efferent pathways in the communication between the brain and the peripheral immune system have been identified. In addition, possible benefits and applicability in clinical settings have been demonstrated where behaviourally conditioned immunosuppression attenuated the exacerbation of autoimmune diseases, prolonged allograft survival and affected allergic responses. Here, we summarize data describing the mechanisms and the potential clinical benefit of behaviourally conditioned immune functions, with particular focus on learned placebo effects on allergic reactions.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Medical Psychology and Behavioral Immunobiology, University Clinic Essen, Essen, Germany. sabine.vits@uk-essen.de
authors.forename: Sabine
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vits
authors.forename: Elvir
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cesko
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Enck
authors.forename: Uwe
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Hillen
authors.forename: Dirk
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Schadendorf
authors.forename: Manfred
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schedlowski
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000502:physiology; D003213:Conditioning, Psychological; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D007107:Immune System / Q000502:physiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D015990:Placebo Effect