IMMUNOLOGICAL RESPONSE TO ACUTE PSYCHOLOGICAL STRESS IN MS PATIENTS AND CONTROLS

To determine whether MS patients differ from healthy subjects in stres s-related immune changes, we examined immunologic alterations followin g a public speaking task in 25 MS patients and 25 healthy controls. Bo th groups demonstrated similar autonomic, neuroendocrine and immunolog ic responses to acute stress. Neutrophils, monocytes, CD8(+) suppresso r/cytotoxic T-lymphocytes and NK-cells transiently increased, with par allel changes in NK-cell activity. T-cell proliferation declined at 20 min, followed by increased reactivity at 60 min relative to baseline. This data suggests that stress-induced immune alterations remain inta ct in MS patients, and may contribute to immune changes associated wit h disease exacerbation.