Psychoneuroimmunology Flashcards
(18 cards)
What is the primary function of the immune system?
distinguishing between what is “self” and what is foreign - then attacking the foreign bodies
Distinguish between natural and specific immunity?
Natural - generalized defense against pathogens
Specific - responds to only 1 invader
Define immunity
the body’s resistance to injury from invading organisms - acquired from the mother at birth, through disease, or through vaccinations and inoculations
What does the immune system consist of? (3)
Natural barriers - skin and mucous membranes
Organs
Lymphatic nodes and vessels (produce WBCs - lymphocytes and natural killer cells)
What are the 2 agents of the immune system?
Innate immunity - cells need no prior exposure to target antigens (first line of defense)
Acquired immunity - cells require prior exposure to antigens
Distinguish between active and passive immunity
Active - body’s own immune system produces antibodies against a specific pathogen (through exposure to disease or vaccine)
Passive - antibodies are transferred from one individual to another -e.g., natural maternal antibodies or artificial monoclonal antibodies
What other function does the immune system have apart from destroying pathogens?
Inflammation - promotes destruction of pathogens and initiates tissue repair
What other bodily systems does the immune system work with? (2)
Sympathetic NS
Endocrine system
Define immunocompetence
How is it assessed? (2)
Degree to which the immune system functions effectively
- measuring numbers of different cells through blood samples (T, B, NK)
- assessing functioning of immune cells
Define immunocompromise
What are some signs of this? (3)
immune system functioning has been disrupted or reduced
- slow wound healing
- prolonged recovery after surgery
- lower levels of antibodies
What are the 2 basic principles of stress and the immune system?
- different kinds of stressors require different kinds of defenses - so a particular immune response may be favored over another
- efficient immune response to any situation entails cost - so some aspects of immunity may be suppressed as others are engaged
How does stress invoke immunity response? (2)
Stress engages the sympathetic NS, increasing immune activity - especially NK cell activity
Stress engages the HPA axis, releasing glucocorticoids (cortisol) - cortisol reduces WBCs, affects functioning of lymphocytes, reduces releases of cytokines
How does the threat to self affect immune functioning?
causes elevations in proinflammatory cytokine activity
What are autoimmune diseases?
Give examples (4)
condition where the immune system attacks the body’s own tissues, falsely identifying them as invaders
Type 1 diabetes
Lupus
Multiple sclerosis
Rheumatoid arthritis
Who is most at risk of having an autoimmune disease?
Women
Define negative affectivity
a tendency toward emotional instability and the experience of negative affective states (anxiety, hostility, depression)
Define dispositional optimism
generalized expectation that good things will happen in the future, not bad things
Define generalized self-efficacy
a global belief regarding one’s ability to perform a wide range of behaviours across a wide range of situations
