Psychoimmune neuroendocrine integrative mechanisms revisited

This review analyzes recent publications on the topic of psycho-immune-neuroendocrine integrative mechanisms. Results on the role of cytokines in cognitive processes and in a major neuroendocrine event, i.e. the release of gonadotropin-releasing hormone, are discussed, as are the effects of cytokines on central neurotransmission. The control of immune responses by local sympathetic nerves, a major pathway in neuroimmune communication, is discussed. This review also updates information indicating that melatonin is a circulating signal affecting the periodic organization of the immune response.