A new study presented at the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) Congress 2024 has provided compelling evidence that perceived stress can directly trigger psoriasis relapse.
The research, conducted using human skin xenografts on mice, demonstrated that sonic stress led to a recurrence of psoriatic lesions in all samples within 14 days. This finding offers the first scientific validation of the long-suspected connection between stress and psoriasis exacerbation.
Professor Amos Gilhar, lead researcher from the Skin Research Laboratory at the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, explained that psychoemotional stress triggers the release of proinflammatory neuropeptides, leading to neurogenic skin inflammation. The study showed increased immune cell presence, elevated proinflammatory mediators, and upregulated neurogenic inflammation biomarkers in stressed skin samples.
Notably, the research team tested the efficacy of aprepitant, an FDA-approved anti-emetic drug, in preventing stress-induced psoriasis relapse. The drug successfully prevented relapse in 80% of cases and normalized most inflammatory markers, suggesting its potential as a therapy for stress-induced psoriasis exacerbations.
Psoriasis affects over 6 million people in Europe, characterized by rapid skin cell production leading to scaling and inflammation. While the study provides valuable insights into the stress-psoriasis connection, the research did not specifically focus on or mention any findings related to the elderly population.
The study underscores the complex link between the nervous system and the immune response in psoriasis. “Recognizing how stress influences psoriasis allows us to refine our treatment approaches to better serve patients,” Gilhar said in a press release. “Looking ahead, our team plans to explore the clinical potential of NK-1R antagonists and to delve deeper into the role of stress management in psoriasis care.”
