1.

Record Nr.

UNINA9910450521503321

Autore

Nelson Randy Joe

Titolo

Seasonal patterns of stress, immune function, and disease / / Randy J. Nelson [and others] [[electronic resource]]

Pubbl/distr/stampa

Cambridge : , : Cambridge University Press, , 2002

ISBN

1-107-11418-7

1-280-15997-9

9786610159970

1-139-14675-0

0-511-11672-1

0-511-06585-X

0-511-05954-X

0-511-30417-X

0-511-54634-3

0-511-06798-4

Descrizione fisica

1 online resource (xv, 291 pages) : digital, PDF file(s)

Disciplina

616.07/9

Soggetti

Diseases - Seasonal variations

Immunity

Lingua di pubblicazione

Inglese

Formato

Materiale a stampa

Livello bibliografico

Monografia

Note generali

Title from publisher's bibliographic system (viewed on 05 Oct 2015).

Nota di bibliografia

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Nota di contenuto

Seasonality -- Immune function -- Seasonal fluctuations in disease prevalence -- Seasonal changes in immune function -- Photoperiod, melatonin, and immunity -- Energetics and immune function -- Hormonal influence on immune function -- Clinical significance of seasonal patterns of immune function and disease.

Sommario/riassunto

This book presents evidence that infection is cyclical with the seasons, and that this phenomenon is mirrored in cycles of immune function. The book identifies the mechanisms by which immune systems are bolstered to counteract seasonally-recurrent stressors, such as extreme temperature reductions and food shortages. Stress, infectious diseases, autoimmune diseases, and human cancers are examined, and the role of hormones such as melatonin and glucocorticoids is



considered. The book begins with an overview of seasonality, biological rhythms and photoperiodism, and basic immunology, and then discusses seasonal fluctuations in disease prevalence, immune function, and energetics and endocrinology as they relate to immune function. The clinical significance of this issue is also addressed, as such seasonal changes may play an important role in the development and treatment of infections. This first monograph to examine seasonal immune function from an interdisciplinary perspective will serve practitioners as well as advanced undergraduates and graduate students in biology, immunology, human and veterinary medicine, neuroscience, endocrinology, and zoology.