Psychoneuroimmunology and HIV infection

Advances in the neurosciences and immunology provide a framework for understanding how mental health status may be a co-factor in the progression of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. The authors discuss the interrelatedness of the central nervous system and the immune system, discuss the possible relevance of such connections to HIV immunopathology, and review research that demonstrates the effect of psychiatric and psychosocial factors on immunological status and medical outcome. An application of psychoneuroimmunology to HIV infection warrants careful consideration of the many complexities involved.