ABSTRACT
This chapter investigates the potential for allergic rhinitis (AR) to be induced as a conditioned response, assessed by clinical symptoms and tosyl-l-arginine methyl ester esterase activity. Most studies of behavioural conditioning of immunity have employed classical Pavlovian conditioning techniques18 to train animals to elevate or suppress immune responses. These suggest that the animal learns to associate exposure to a conditioned stimulus, with an unconditioned stimulus. The potential for clinical benefits of behaviourally conditioned immunomodulation in human health are far-reaching. A limited number of studies have also been reported in which behavioural conditioning of allergic reactions has been effected. In the earliest recorded case study, J. N. MacKenzie noted that a patient allergic to roses experienced symptoms of allergy when presented with an artificial rose. AR was selected as the allergic disorder to be conditioned. AR is an IgE-mediated allergic disorder of the human nasal mucosa occurring prennially in response to dust or mold or seasonally in response to pollens and grasses.
