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Impaired natural killer cell activity during bereavement
M Irwin1, M Daniels, T L Smith
1Clinical Center on Alcoholism, Veterans Administration Medical Center, San Diego, California 92161.
Brain, Behavior, and Immunity
|March 1, 1987
Summary
Bereaved women showed lower natural killer (NK) cell activity. Depressive symptoms, not just spousal loss, were linked to reduced NK cell activity during bereavement.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Psychoneuroimmunology
- Stress and Health
Background:
- Natural killer (NK) cells are crucial for immune surveillance.
- Bereavement is a significant life stressor that can impact health.
- Previous research suggests a link between stress and immune function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of spousal bereavement on NK cell activity.
- To determine if depressive symptoms mediate the relationship between bereavement and NK cell activity.
Main Methods:
- Comparative study of NK cell activity in bereaved versus non-bereaved women.
- Longitudinal assessment of depressive symptoms and NK cell activity in women before and after husband's death.
Main Results:
- Bereaved women exhibited significantly lower NK cell activity compared to controls.
- Depressive symptoms were inversely correlated with NK cell activity during bereavement.
Conclusions:
- Spousal bereavement is associated with reduced NK cell activity.
- Depressive symptoms play a significant role in the decline of NK cell activity following the death of a spouse.