ENHANCED TUMOR-GROWTH IN BRAIN DOPAMINE-DEPLETED MICE FOLLOWING 1-METHYL-4-PHENYL-1,2,3,6-TETRAHYDROPYRIDINE (MPTP) TREATMENT

Brain dopamine influences immune functions and the role of immune func tions in tumor growth is well established. Therefore, a study has been carried out to evaluate the correlation, if any, between brain dopami ne and tumor growth. MPTP selectively destroys dopaminergic neurons in the brain. In the present study, Ehrlich carcinoma growth was evaluat ed in MPTP-treated mice. Results showed a correlation between depletio n of striatal dopamine and enhanced tumor growth. Since in the present study striatal dopamine depletion in mice was associated with signifi cantly decreased immune responses, the suggested correlation between b rain dopamine and tumor growth was possibly mediated by the immune sys tem.