[Abstract Title]. - Society for Neuroscience

y cresyl violet staining. Both vehicle and GC-treated animals had mild to substantial CA3
neuron loss; however, GC-treatments dramatically exacerbated CA1 neuron death. These
findings suggest that chronic stress levels of GCs can worsen excitotoxic injury in C57Bl/6 mice
just as they can in rats.
Disclosures: S.F. Sorrells, None; C.D. Munhoz, None; R.M. Sapolsky, None.
Poster
280. Stress and the Brain: Stress and Neuroimmunology I
Time: Sunday, November 16, 2008, 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Program#/Poster#: 280.9/NN9
Topic: E.06.c. Stress and neuroimmunology
Support: ACS fellowship PF-08-086-01-TBE
Brain Research Foundation Grant
Title: Tumors induce depression and alter neuroimmune and neuroendocrine systems
Authors: *L. M. PYTER, V. M. PINEROS, J. A. GALANG, M. K. MCCLINTOCK, B. J.
PRENDERGAST;
Psychology, Univ. of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Abstract: The relationship between peripheral health and mental health is reciprocal. A striking
example of this interaction is the high incidence of depression and anxiety disorders in cancer
patients. A number of factors may contribute to this comorbidity, however, the extent to which
tumor-derived chemical messengers (i.e., cytokines) contribute to the central states of depression
and anxiety has never been investigated. We tested the hypothesis that tumors produce cytokines
and dysregulate the HPA axis, which in turn, affect the brain and behavioral measures of
affective state. Female Wistar rats received an injection of nitrosomethylurea (NMU, chemical
carcinogen) to induce mammary tumors. Within 2 weeks of tumor palpation, depression and
anxiety-like behaviors were examined in NMU-treated, tumor-bearing and saline-treated control
rats. In a separate cohort of similarly treated rats, pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines were
measured in blood, tumors, and limbic brain regions. In a second study, the effects of tumors on
the HPA axis were assessed by measuring corticosterone responses to a stressor and
dexamethasone, and by quantifying glucocorticoid receptor expression in the brain. Preliminary
findings suggest that tumors increase depressive-like behaviors and cytokine production and
increase HPA negative feedback sensitivity. These results suggest that the mechanism by which