.Studies revealing the relationship between the immune system and the
central nervous system indicate that stress can alter the function of
white blood cells involved in immune function, known as lymphocytes and
macrophages. People undergoing stressful life events, such as marital
turmoil or bereavement, have a weaker lymphoproliferative response.
After antigens initiate an immune response, these white blood cells send
signals, composed of cytokines and other hormonal proteins, to the
brain and neuroendocrine system.Cytokines are molecules involved with cell signaling. Cortisol, a
hormone released during stressful situations, affects the immune system
greatly by preventing the production of cytokines. During chronic
stress, cortisol is over produced, causing fewer receptors to be
produced on immune cells so that inflammation cannot be ended. A study
involving cancer patient’s parents confirmed this finding. Blood samples
were taken from the participants. Researchers treated the samples of
the parents of cancer patients with a cortisol-like substance and
stimulated cytokine production. Cancer patient parents’ blood was
significantly less effective at stopping cytokine from being produced
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