Scientific Interest(s):
Dr. Michael Irwin's principal research interests focus on the mechanisms of neuroimmune interactions and the impact of PNI processes on disease including infectious disease, rheumatoid arthritis, cardiovascular disease and substance dependence. He has been the principal investigator of 14 federally funded research awards, including five currently active research awards from the National Institute of Mental Health, National Institute of Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse, National Institute of Aging, National Institute of Arthritis, and Musculoskeletal Disorders and the National Institute of Drug Abuse.
Irwin's current research topics include "Alcoholism: Sleep and Cytokines in African-Americans," "Depression and Trial of Varicella Vaccine in the Elderly" and "Behavioral Intervention for Herpes Zoster Risk in Aging."
Selected Cancer-Related Publications:
Redwine LS, Mills PJ, Hong S, Rutledge T, Reis V, Maisel A, Irwin MR. Cardiac-related hospitalization and/or death associated with immune dysregulation and symptoms of depression in heart failure patients. Psychosom Med. 2007; 69(1): 23-9.
Irwin MR. Depression and risk of cancer progression: an elusive link. J Clin Oncol. 2007; 25(17): 2343-4.
Valladares EM, Eljammal SM, Iyer AV, Irwin MR. EEG and vagal tone degradation during nocturnal sleep in abstinent alcohol dependence. Sleep Med. 2007; 8(3): 284-5.
O'Connor MF, Irwin MR, Seldon J, Kwan L, Ganz PA. Pro-inflammatory cytokines and depression in a familial cancer registry. Psychooncology. 2007 May;16(5):499-501.
Motivala SJ, Levin MJ, Oxman MN, Irwin MR. Impairments in health functioning and sleep quality in older adults with a history of depression. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2006; 54(8): 1184-91.