Features of neuroimmune adaptation in high school seniors

The aim of this study was to investigate features of neuroimmune adaptation in high school seniors based on an examination of 43 adolescents aged 16–17 years.

Material and metods. Students performed self-assessment of stress levels using the Reader's Psychological Stress Scale. Participants were divided into two groups: Group 1 (n=14, 32.6%) scored 1–2 points, corresponding to a state of distress; Group 2 (n=29, 67.4%) scored 3 or more points, indicating eustress. In both groups, moderate levels of reactive anxiety predominated. High levels of personal anxiety were observed only in adolescents experiencing distress. Assessment of autonomic tone revealed a predominance of “eutonia” in both Group 1 and Group 2 – 57.1±17.7% and 33.6±11.4%, respectively (p>0.05), which is characteristic of satisfactory adaptive capacity. Regardless of baseline autonomic status, the intensity of autonomic response to stress was reflected by sympathetic tension, as demonstrated by indicators of autonomic reactivity: hyper-sympathetic reactivity predominated in both groups with an IN2/IN1 ratio of 2.7±0.5 and 2.5±0.6, respectively (p>0.05).

Result. Only in the main group (28.6%) was asympathicotonic autonomic reactivity identified, suggesting limited adaptive capacity of the sympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system. To evaluate immune adaptation, integral hematological indices reflecting immune homeostasis were analyzed. A statistically significant difference was found for the neutrophil-to-monocyte ratio index, which was lower in the main group – 5.69±1.5 (p=0.02).

Conclusion. This decrease reflects reduced phagocytic activity, indicating impairment of the cellular component of immunity. Thus, among graduating students, there is a tendency toward diminished macrophage-mediated defense.

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