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Stress, the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis, and Immune Function

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Drugs of Abuse, Immunity, and AIDS

Part of the book series: Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology ((AEMB,volume 335))

Abstract

A variety of Stressors have been shown to alter both humoral and cell-mediated immune responses. Over the past decade the pathways by which stress may influence the immune system has been the focus of intense study. One of the most important pathways is the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis (1, 2). It has been known for some time that glucocorticoids, the final product of HPA axis activation, have a wide range of effects on immune and inflammatory responses in humans and animals. In addition, other HPA hormones such as corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) and corticotropin (ACTH) can directly and indirectly influence immune function.

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© 1993 Springer Science+Business Media New York

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Stein, M., Miller, A.H. (1993). Stress, the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis, and Immune Function. In: Friedman, H., Klein, T.W., Specter, S. (eds) Drugs of Abuse, Immunity, and AIDS. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, vol 335. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-2980-4_1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-2980-4_1

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4613-6297-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4615-2980-4

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