NEUROPROTECTIVE EFFECTS OF LITHIUM CARBONATE IN CONDITIONS OF TUMOR GROWTH

Depression is commonly comorbid in cancer patients and has detrimental effects on disease progression. Evidence suggests that biological mechanisms may induce the onset of cancer-induced depression. The neuroprotective effects of lithium carbonate in conditions of peripheral tumor growth were analyzed. It was shown that peripheral tumor growth affects on the behavior and ultrastructural organization of prefrontal cortex neurons of the experimental animals. The phenomena of neurons cytoplasm swelling, decreasing of volume density of transport vesicles, autophagosomes, late endosomes and free polysomal ribosomes were noted. Oral administration of lithium carbonate leads to the accumulation of lithium in the structures of the brain, an increases the motional activity of animals and activates neuron systems of vesicular traffic and degradation.