STUDIES IN PSYCHONEUROIMMUNOLOGY - PSYCHOLOGICAL, IMMUNOLOGICAL, AND NEUROENDOCRINOLOGICAL PARAMETERS IN ISRAELI CIVILIANS DURING AND AFTERA PERIOD OF SCUD MISSILE ATTACKS

Twenty-two male volunteers in Jerusalem were subjected to a battery of psychological tests at the height of the Iraqi Scud missile attacks o n Israeli cities during the 1991 Persian Gulf War and again after the cessation of hostilities. Venous blood samples were taken at each time point. The separated mononuclear cells and plasma were cryopreserved, and a spectrum of immunological and neuroendocrine assays were perfor med on the preserved samples. Psychological testing indicated levels o f anxiety were higher during the war than they were after the war ende d, and both anxiety and anger during the hostilities were significantl y elevated in comparison with prewar data. During the war specific war -related pressures were greater than everyday pressures, and problem-f ocused coping was move evident than emotion-focused coping. Natural-ki ller cell activity and cell-mediated lympholysis were significantly el evated during the war as were plasma levels of adrenocorticotrophic ho rmone, neurotensin, and substance P. The only biological test paramete r found To be reduced during the war period was mononuclear cell thymi dine incorporated in nonstimulated cultures.