[The cerebral cortex regulates immune responses in the mouse]

Ablation of the left cerebral cortex abrogates the production of thymic hormone, reduces the number of spleen T cells and impairs immunization with sheep erythrocytes. In addition, partial decortication inhibits the ability of sodium diethyldithiocarbamate (DTC) to increase the level of circulating thymic hormone, as well as the number of splenic T cells. Therefore, the cerebral cortex would display an important role to maintain body integrity and relations with the external environment, through its effects on the immune system.