The learned placebo response in the immune system

Abstract

The learned placebo response of the immune system is based on the mutual interaction between the brain and the immune system; both systems continually exchange information via humoral and neural communication pathways. This communication network enables the modification, i.e. suppression or stimulation, of peripheral immune functions by classical or Pavlov's conditioning. The present article provides an overview of the results of recent experimental animal studies, which also document the potential clinical relevance of learned immune responses. Learned immunological responses mediated by classical conditioning have also been demonstrated in humans. The knowledge gained from experimental data and clinical observations paves the way for apotential implementation of learned immune responses as supportive measures to standard immunopharmacological treatment strategies to reduce drug dosage as well as adverse side effects while simultaneously maximizing the therapeutic effect.