Meeting Abstract

P3.106  Wednesday, Jan. 6  Neural Pathways of Sickness Behavior in Songbirds LOPES, P.C.*; BENTLEY, G.E.; University of California, Berkeley and GABBA, University of Porto; Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute and University of California, Berkeley pclopes@berkeley.edu

Sickness behavior refers to a suite of behavioral symptoms exhibited as a result of infection. Endotoxin-induced sickness behavior can be induced in experimental animals by exposure to the non-pathogenic cell wall product of gram-negative bacteria, lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The behavioral responses to this kind of immune challenge include decreased appetite, adipsia, lethargy and somnolence. The neural pathways involved in the expression of sickness behavior in songbirds are not known. With the purpose of identifying these pathways in male zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata), we administrated either LPS to mimic infection, or saline as a control. Behavioral observations were performed before and after injection, and the brains were collected at approximately 2h after injection. The brains were processed immunohistochemically for the protein products of Immediate Early Genes (IEGs). Our results indicate that LPS-injected birds exhibited sickness behavior, and that specific brain areas showed increased IEG expression in response to LPS treatment versus controls. These data are the first in songbirds to describe the brain areas activated by peripheral immune stimuli. The findings provide us with a basis for further investigation into neural and endocrine mechanisms regulating behavioral and physiological responses associated with immune challenges.