Psychoimmunology is a rapidly maturing area of scientific endeavor that provides a compelling
integrative link between the immune system and its response to stress and psychiatric illness.
Stress initiates pathological changes by activating the immune and endocrine systems.
Inflammation is at the core of the complex and interactive systems that both contribute to and
result from psychopathology. Consequently inflammation research advances our knowledge of the
pathology of depression schizophrenia chronic fatigue syndrome posttraumatic stress disorder
and a host of co-morbid conditions notably diabetes cardiovascular disease and
cerebrovascular disease. The possible mechanisms underlying the bidirectionality of co-morbid
medical and psychiatric disorders can be viewed as a consequence of inflammatory changes. These
emerging novel concepts illustrate how the knowledge of inflammation can enable meaningful
integration of psychopathology with physical co-morbidity. The innovative articles in this
volume highlight the intricate link between psychiatry and psychoimmunology and underscore the
central role of inflammation in furthering our understanding of the pathophysiology underlying
mental health and illness.
