Stress and disease: the missing link. A vasospastic theory. III. Stress, vasospasm and general disease

The potential importance of vasospasm, with or without consequent thrombosis, as a mechanism in general disease is discussed and the evidence examined in one organ, namely the brain. It is concluded that vasospasm might be important in a number of neurological disorders, including migraine, epilepsy, and even some of the schizophrenia-like illnesses. Repeated ischaemic cell damage from vasospasm is also discussed as a possible factor initiating autoimmune disease and cancer. The similarities between viral transformation and neoplasia have led to the proposition that much cancer might be explained if as a species we have evolved by the gradual build-up of viruses.