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Neuroimmunophysiology Laboratory
Carlson 106 and 1B03
phone: 303-492-7331
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Research Interests
- To determine how physical activity status changes the
impact of stress on behavior, neural, endocrine, and immune
system function.
Personnel
- Laboratory Director: Monika
Fleshner, Ph.D.
- Postdoctoral Fellows: Ben Greewood, Ph.D.
- Graduate Students: Kristin Speaker, Lida Beninson, Paul Strong, Robert Thompson, Tom Maslanik
- Undergraduate Students: Arman Serebrakian, Chad Wanstrath, Danielle Crevling, Justin Hellwinkel, Tony Le
- Collaborators: David Diamond, Ph.D., Department
of Psychology, University
of Florida; Steven
Maier, Ph.D., Department
of Psychology, University of Colorado at Boulder; Jerry
Rudy, Ph.D., Department of Psychology, University of
Colorado at Boulder; Linda
Watkins, Ph.D., Department of Psychology, University
of Colorado at Boulder.
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(L to R, standing) Benjamin Greenwood, Arman Serebrakian, Justin Hellwinkel, Brad Frazier, Paul Strong, Lida Bennison;
(front row)Danielle Crevling, Robert Thompson, Kristin Speaker, Monika Fleshner |
Current Research Projects
Overview: Exposure to acute and chronic stressors (mental or physical) influences many aspects of physiology. This lab investigates the impact of exposure to stressors on neural, hormonal, and immunological function, and how these systems interact to influence the whole organism. The body's stress response is a powerful and wonderfully integrated series of responses that under normal conditions functions to facilitate fight/flight responses, restore homeostasis, and promote survival. If, however, the stressor is excessive or frequent, the response is inappropriate, or the organism suffers from other illnesses or vulnerabilities, the stress response can have negative health consequence. Current projects include:
- Stress and immunity: immune suppression/immune potentiation
- Stress and immunity: impact of acute or chronic stressor exposure on sterile inflammatory processes. Potential impact on vascular function.
- Stress-buffering effects of exercise on central serotonin and autonomic neural circuits and behavior
- Neurobiology of exercise: involvement of dopamine motivational circuits and changes in learning and memory processes
Opportunities for Undergraduates
- The requirements for undergraduate students who want a research experience in our Laboratory are:
- Have an understanding and acceptance of the use of animals in research.
- Successful completion of one course with bench top laboratory requirements.
- Enroll in independent study (IPHY 4860) for 8-10 hours/week for at least one semester.
- Demonstrate maturity, commitment, and dependability.
- For more information, contact Prof. Monika Fleshner(fleshner@colorado.edu)
Recent Publications
- Greenwood BN, Strong PV, Brooks L, Fleshner M. Anxiety-like behaviors produced by acute fluoxetine administration in male F344 rates are prevented by prior exercise. Psychopharmacology 199: 209-222, 2008.
- Johnson JD, Cortez VC, Kennedy SL, Foley TE, Hanson II HH, Fleshner M. Role of central and peripheral adrenergic receptors in regulating proinflammatory cytokine responses to a peripheral bacterial challenge. Brain, Behavior and Immunity 22: 1071-1086, 2008.
- Strong PV, Greenwood BN, Fleshner M. The effects of selective 5-HT(2C) receptor antagonist SB 242084 on learned helplessness in male Fischer 344 rats. Psychopharmacology 203: 665-675, 2009.
Funding
- 2004-2009, NIH, "Stress, Heat-Shock Proteins, and Innate Immunity."
- 2004-2009, NIMH, "The Neurobiology of the Stress Resistant Brain."
- 2004-2009, NIH, "Chemotherapy and Cognition in Older Breast Cancer Patients."
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