# CNS EFFECTS ON IFN PRODUCTION AND NK CELL ACTIVITY

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM · 1990 · $112,907

## Abstract

Preliminary studies from our laboratory have shown that we can achieve an
enhancement of the NK activity using a classical conditioning paradigm.  We
believe that conditioned enhancement of IFN levels and NK activity and will
try to establish the optimal conditions for the conditioned enhancement.
The variables which we would like to consider to optimize the elevations
are:  1) The schedule of unconditioned stimulus (US)/conditioned stimulus
(CS) association trials, 2) The length of exposure to CS, 3) The number of
association trials, 4) The time between association trial and test and 5)
Dose of poly I:C (suboptimal doses).  We will also attempt to determine the
extinction of this response with repeated exposure to CS.  These studies
are important because they explore the connection between mind and body,
and resistance to disease.  It has become increasingly apparent that many
diseases are multifactorial and psychosocial aspects may play an important
role in the etiology of disease.  We would like to see this connection
between the CNS and resistance to disease exploited for the benefit of the
health of the individual, instead of always being a liability (in terms of
suppressed immunocompetence when challenged by adverse circumstances).  We
feel that a conditioned enhancement of immunocompetence may be a
possibility for deriving benefit from this connection between mind and
immunity.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3175350
- **Project number:** 2R01CA037570-04A2
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM
- **SAM.gov UEI:** YND4PLMC9AN7
- **Principal Investigator:** RAYMOND N HIRAMOTO
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1990
- **Award amount:** $112,907
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 1986-02-01 → 1994-01-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3175350

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3175350, CNS EFFECTS ON IFN PRODUCTION AND NK CELL ACTIVITY (2R01CA037570-04A2). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3175350. Licensed CC0.

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