Stress, immunity and nervous system physiology

Stress, immunity and nervous system physiology have long been viewed as closely interwoven. Ancient clinical observations recount that fears, emotions and permanent constreints hove consequences on both the physical and psychological health status of individuals. Recent advances in the understanding of neurobiological mechanisms and the identification of molecular signaling pathways common to the nervous and the immune systems offer new avenues for present and future research. In this review, we have chosen the cytokine family to illustrate these interactions. A short historical view is presented and time questioning of clinicians on how far molecules may be involved in these interactions is addressed to neurobiologists. This is an attempt to built a bridge between neurobiologists and clinicians, especially those who, in the field of psychology and mental disorders, wonder whether molecules have something to do with the mind.