Current Update in Psychoimmunology

This book is based on lectures held at the In- ternational Expert Meeting "Current Update on Psychoimmunology" (September 26-28, 1996, Graz, Austria), which was organized by "Ver- ein zur Forderung der Wissenschaft und For- schung an der Universitatsklinik fUr Psychia- trie Graz" (Chairman: H. -G. Zapotoczky; Coor- dinators: M. Lux, G. Wieselmann; Local Orga- nizing Committee: E. Braun, M. Bretterklieber, H. Hausler, G. Herzog, S. Kriechbaum, S. Sper- lich). The book tries to close the gap between immunological findings on one hand, psychological, psychopathological, electrophysiological and neuroimaging aspects on the other. It also deals with the issue of "cause and effect" (of immunological alternatives) in different or- ganic and/or mental disorders, and emphasizes the necessity of consid- ering a variety of treatment strategies. There are dynamic interactions and several important similarities between the immune system and the central nervous system, which help to lay the rational basis for "psy- choimmunology". Both systems have the capacity for memory and both play vital roles in adaptation and defence. Furthermore, in each system pathological changes can occur in the event of inappropriate responses to internal or external stimuli, leading to psychiatric as well as organic illnesses and autoimmune diseases could also arise as a consequence of dysfunction and maladaptation, respectively. Finally, the editor is grateful to all the authors and experts for their contributions to the meeting and for preparing their manuscripts for this publication. Graz, November 1997 G.