English

Medical Science of Ukraine

Current

Vol. 22, No. 2, 2026

Medical Science of Ukraine

Medical Science of Ukraine

ISSN 2664-472X

EISSN 2664-4738 

Publisher: Bogomolets National Medical University



Retrieved from Vol. 22, No. 2, 2026

Psychoneuroimmunological mechanisms of stress-induced mental and psychosomatic disorders

Received 25.12.2025, Revised 01.05.2026, Accepted 28.05.2026 Published 30.06.2026

https://doi.org/10.32345/2664-4738.2.2026.20

Maryna Tsvetkova, Nataliia Korzh*, Pavlo Petrushanko

nataskorzh@gmail.com

Abstract

Relevance. Psychosomatic disorders represent a significant medical and biological problem, as their development is linked to the chronic activation of stress-mediating systems, in particular the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and immuno-inflammatory mechanisms, which contribute to the development and progression of somatic pathology. Despite a considerable body of research, the pathogenesis of psychosomatic disorders requires an integrative synthesis that takes into account the interaction of neuroendocrine, immunoinflammatory and metabolic mechanisms, in particular neuroinflammation, glucocorticoid resistance, activation of the kynurenine pathway and gut dysbiosis. The relevance of this study stems from the need to systematise these data and develop a comprehensive pathogenetic model that can serve as a basis for improving the diagnosis and treatment of psychosomatic disorders.

Aim. To systematise current scientific data on the psychoneuroimmunological mechanisms underlying the development of stress-induced mental and psychosomatic disorders by analysing the neuroendocrine, immuno-inflammatory, neurotransmitter and microbiome changes that arise under the influence of chronic stress and contribute to the development of psychosomatic pathology.

Materials and methods. The study involved a narrative analysis of current scientific publications in the PubMed, PMC and Scopus databases for the period 2015-2025 (187 identified, 26 included in the final analysis). Methods of systematic analysis, generalisation and comparison of scientific data were employed.

Results. This study systematises an integrative approach to the pathogenesis of psychosomatic disorders, uniting neuroendocrine, immune, metabolic and microbiome mechanisms into a single, interconnected cascade. Key points of convergence (the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1, neuroinflammation) have been identified, and the concept of a pathological “vicious circle” that drives the chronicity of the process has been substantiated. It has been shown that chronic stress, via glucocorticoid resistance, neuroinflammation and kynurenine metabolism, forms a self-reinforcing pathological cycle, which underlies the chronicity of psychosomatic disorders.

Conclusions. Psychosomatic pathology should be regarded as a systemic, multifactorial process in which the interaction of neuroendocrine, immune and microbiome regulation plays a key role.

Practical value. The findings presented here can be used to deepen the understanding of the pathogenesis of psychosomatic diseases and to identify promising therapeutic targets.

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Keywords:

hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis; glucocorticoid resistance; neuroinflammation; kynurenine pathway; “microbiome-gut-brain” axis.

Pages 186-196

Suggested citation

Tsvetkova, M., Korzh, N., & Petrushanko, P. (2026). Psychoneuroimmunological mechanisms of stress-induced mental and psychosomatic disorders. Medical Science of Ukraine, 22(2), 186-196. https://doi.org/10.32345/2664-4738.2.2026.20

We assign DOI (prefix: 10.32345)

ISSN 2664-472X; e-ISSN 2664-4738

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