Impact of the Neuroendocrine System on Immune Function: A Systematic Neutrosophic Review of Stress-Associated Immunological Depression

Abstract

The present study addresses a central problem in contemporary human health: the influence of chronic stress on immunological function through the neuroendocrine system, a phenomenon that leads to what is termed immunological depression. This problem is particularly relevant due to the global increase in stressful conditions that affect quality of life and susceptibility to infectious and chronic diseases. Despite the abundant literature on stress and the immune response, a significant gap persists: the majority of studies do not systematically consider the uncertainty, ambiguity, and indeterminacy present in the reported results, limiting the interpretation of the available evidence. To overcome this limitation, a systematic review was conducted using a neutrosophic approach, applying matrices and weightings that allow for the quantification of the certainty, indeterminacy, and falsehood of the findings of each study. The results show that prolonged stress is consistently associated with alterations in lymphocyte activity, dysregulation of cytokines, and greater vulnerability to diseases, while the application of neutrosophic analysis highlights areas with high uncertainty that require additional research. The contribution of the study is twofold: on the one hand, it provides a robust methodological framework for evaluating evidence under conditions of high complexity; on the other, it offers valuable information for clinical practice and the prevention of stress-related diseases.