Dev Proj 4: Identifying IFN-alpha-Induced Microglial Activation Using...

行为共病，包括抑郁、焦虑、易怒、睡眠障碍、疲劳和 癌症患者的认知障碍是一个严重的问题。研究表明，大多数人 癌症患者在治疗过程中会经历一种或多种这样的症状，超过三分之一或更多的 癌症治疗后出现持续性症状的患者(Ahles等人2002，Patrick等人2003， 威廉姆斯和戴尔2006年)。然而，不幸的是，这些症状往往没有被发现，而且 未经治疗，经常被认为是罹患癌症或经历过癌症的必要之害 心理治疗。癌症患者缺乏对行为合并症的认识，可能会付出高昂的代价。 事实上，许多研究已经证明，有行为问题的癌症患者表现得很差。 坚持治疗，生活质量下降，在一些情况下，发病率和死亡率增加 (Dantzer et al 2001，Hopwood and Stephens 2000，Rison and Miller 2003，Stommel et al 2002)。 关于行为障碍的性质和治疗的数据缺乏的原因有很多。 癌症患者的问题。然而，到目前为止，大部分关注都集中在心理和心理上 携带癌症诊断对社会/职业的影响，这使得为什么有人 患上癌症可能会让人情绪失控。尽管如此，令人兴奋的新发展涉及 免疫系统和大脑之间的沟通途径彻底改变了我们对 病人在癌症及其治疗过程中如何以及为什么会出现行为问题(Capuron和Miller 2004年，Rason等人，2006年)。越来越多的人认识到，先天免疫炎症的激活 炎症过程和相关炎性细胞因子的释放可显著影响脑功能。 事实上，先天免疫细胞因子可以进入大脑，并对神经递质产生深远影响。 代谢，神经内分泌功能，突触可塑性和行为。然而，目前尚不清楚， 外周释放的细胞因子通过对外周神经的间接作用影响脑过程 系统途径或外周细胞因子是否激活包括小胶质细胞在内的脑内相关细胞类型， 这反过来又成为中枢神经系统炎症的持久部位。

Behavioral co-morbidities including depression, anxiety, irritability, sleep disturbances, fatigue and impaired cognition in patients with cancer are a serious problem. Studies have shown that the majority of cancer patients will experience one or more of these symptoms during treatment, with over a third or more of patients experiencing persisting symptoms after cancer treatment (Ahles et al 2002, Patrick et al 2003, Williams and Dale 2006). Unfortunately, however, more often than not, these symptoms go unrecognized and untreated, and are frequently considered necessary evils of having cancer or having undergone cancer therapy. The lack of appreciation of behavioral comorbidities in cancer patients can come at a high price. Indeed, a number of studies have documented that cancer patients with behavioral problems exhibit poor adherence to treatment, reduced quality of life, and in several instances, increased morbidity and mortality (Dantzer et al 2001, Hopwood and Stephens 2000, Raison and Miller 2003, Stommel et al 2002). Many reasons are given for the paucity of data regarding the nature and treatment of behavioral problems in cancer patients. However, much of the focus to date has been on the psychological and social/occupational impact of carrying a diagnosis of cancer, which makes it "understandable" why someone with cancer might be emotionally distraught. Nevertheless, exciting new developments regarding communication pathways between the immune system and the brain have revolutionized our understanding of how and why patients may develop behavioral problems during cancer and its treatment (Capuron and Miller 2004, Raison et al 2006). There is increasing appreciation that activation of innate immune inflammatory processes and the release of relevant inflammatory cytokines can significantly influence brain function. Indeed, innate immune cytokines can access the brain and have profound effects on neurotransmitter metabolism, neuroendocrine function, synaptic plasticity and behavior. It remains unclear however, whether cytokines released in the periphery influence brain processes through indirect effects on peripheral nervous system pathways or whether peripheral cytokines activate relevant cell types in the brain including microglia, which in turn become an enduring site of inflammation in the central nervous system.