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Dantzer, Robert
Professor, Director, Integrative Immunology and Behavior Program
D.V.M., Toulouse, France
Ph.D., Toulouse, France
Research Areas
Interactions between the immune system and the brain
My research group focuses on the behavioral and psychopathological consequences of the effects of inflammatory mediators on the brain. During the course of an inflammation the proinflammatory cytokines that are produced by peripheral innate immune cells have an impact on brain functions via neural and humoral communication pathways. The brain forms an image of the peripheral immune response using the same cells and molecules as those mobilized at the periphery to fight infection. Brain cytokines induce sickness behavior, a well coordinated response of the host to help fighting infection, and this response is normally reversible. When the brain cytokine system is no longer regulated such as during chronic inflammation or in the presence of vulnerability factors, this response eventually culminates in psychiatric disorders such as depression. At the experimental level we explore the mechanisms that are responsible for the transition from sickness to depression. At the clinical level, we intend to explore the possibility that the subjective health complaints of patients suffering from chronic diseases (e.g., fatigue, depressed mood) are associated with inflammation and can be attenuated by interventions that attenuate inflammation (e.g., physical exercise).
Representative Publications
Dantzer, R., L. Capuron, M.R. Irwin, A.H. Miller, H. Ollat, V. Hugh Perry, S. Rousey, and R. Yirmiya. (2008) Identification and treatment of symptoms associated with inflammation in medically ill patients. Psychoneuroendocrinology 33:18-29.
Dantzer, R., J.C. O'Connor, G.G. Freund, R.W. Johnson, and K.W. Kelley. (2008) From inflammation to sickness and depression: When the immune system subjugates the brain. Nature Reviews Neurosci. 9:46-56.
O'Connor, J.C., M.A. Lawson, C. Andre, M. Moreau, J. Lestage, N. Castanon, K.W. Kelley, and R. Dantzer. (2008) Lipopolysaccharide-induced depressive-like behavior is mediated by indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase activation in mice. Mol. Psychiat. [Jan 15 Epub ahead of print].
Godbout, J.P., M. Moreau, J. Lestage, J. Chen, N.L. Sparkman, J. O'Connor, N. Castanon, K.W. Kelley, R. Dantzer, and R.W. Johnson. (2007) Aging exacerbates depressive-like behavior in mice in response to activation of the peripheral innate immune system. Neuropsychopharmacology [Dec 12 Epub ahead of print]
Mingam, R., V. De Smedt, T. Amedee, R.-M. Bluthe, K.W. Kelley, R. Dantzer, and S. Laye. (2007) In vitro and in vivo evidence for a role of the P2X(7) receptor in the release of IL-1beta in the murine brain. Brain Behav. Immun. 22:234-244.
Johnson DR, O'Connor JC, Dantzer R, and Freund GG. 2005. Inhibition of vagally mediated immune-to-brain communication speeds recovery from sickness. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 102:15184-9.
Moreau M, Lestage J, Verrier D, Mormede C, Kelley KW, Dantzer R, and Castanon N. 2005. Bacille Calmette-Guerin inoculation induces chronic activation of peripheral and brain indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase in mice. J Infect Dis 192:537-44.
Nadjar A, Bluthe RM, May MJ, Dantzer R, and Parnet P. 2005. Inactivation of the cerebral NFkappaB pathway inhibits interleukin-1 beta-induced sickness behavior and c-Fos expression in various brain nuclei. Neuropsychopharmacology 30:1492-9.
Dantzer R. 2004. Innate immunity at the forefront of psychoneuroimmunology. Brain Behav Immun 18:1-6.
Capuron L, and Dantzer R. 2003. Cytokines and depression: the need for a new paradigm. Brain Behav Immun 17:S119-24.
Additional Information
Collaborative Projects:
Professor G.G. Freund - Brain-immune interactions in Type 2 diabetes
Professor K.W. Kelley - Neuroimmune control of biobehavioral processes
Professor R.W. Johnson - Cytokine and hormone interactions in comorbidity of AIDS
Contact information:
