Neuroendocrine-immune aspects of accelerated aging in rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract

The normal process of aging brings about changes in immune function, hormonal status, overall metabolism, and enhanced occurrence of neuropsychiatric disorders. These alterations are also evident at an accelerating pace in chronic inflammatory diseases. Treatment with immunosuppressive therapeutics is often not sufficiently effective. Treating neuroendocrine-immune alterations to regain homeostasis might enhance remission inducing and maintaining effects. This paper summarizes the phenomena related to normal aging and related to chronic inflammatory disease. Furthermore, a multimodal concept is being proposed to control more effectively chronic inflammatory disease on a neuroendocrine-immune basis.