Journal of the American Academy of Child Psychiatry
Volume 25, Issue 6 , Pages 751-763, November 1986

Behavioral and Developmental Aspects of Immunity

From the Department of Psychiatry, Mount Sinai School of Medicine of the City University of New York, New York, NY 10029

Received 18 February 1986; received in revised form 12 July 1986; accepted 12 July 1986.

Article Outline

Considerable evidence is accumulating which demonstrates a relationship between immune function and behavioral states such as object loss or depression. Findings have been described using animal and clinical models, and a complex chain of biological and psychological processes may be involved. Further research on behavioral, central nervous system, and immune interactions in childhood is needed and is especially important since the developing immune system may be particularly susceptible to behavioral effects. Effects on the immune system in early life may have profound long-term effects on immune capacity.

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 Supported in part by a grant from the National Institute of Mental Health (MH39651) and by the Chernow Fondation.

PII: S0002-7138(09)60192-8

doi:10.1016/S0002-7138(09)60192-8

Journal of the American Academy of Child Psychiatry
Volume 25, Issue 6 , Pages 751-763, November 1986