Alexithymia and neuroendocrine-immune response in patients with autoimmune diseases: preliminary results on relationship between alexithymic construct and TNF-alpha levels

Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2006 Jun:1069:208-11. doi: 10.1196/annals.1351.018.

Abstract

Alexithymia is conceptualized as a disorder of emotion regulation mechanisms, which involves a dissociation of emotional and physical responses to life events and bodily sensations. Our results might suggest a possible relationship between the alexithymic construct and TNF levels in RA patients. These preliminary findings corroborate the integrated bidirectional interactions between neuropsychological mechanisms and the neuroendocrine-immune system in patients affected by autoimmune diseases and contribute to finding a common biological pathway linking alexithymia and autoimmune-inflammatory diseases.

MeSH terms

  • Affective Symptoms / blood*
  • Affective Symptoms / complications
  • Affective Symptoms / diagnosis
  • Affective Symptoms / immunology*
  • Autoimmune Diseases / blood*
  • Autoimmune Diseases / complications
  • Autoimmune Diseases / diagnosis
  • Autoimmune Diseases / immunology*
  • Child
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neurosecretory Systems / immunology*
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / metabolism*

Substances

  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha