Abstract
Interferon-α is a potent inducer of the cytokine network and is notorious for causing
behavioral alterations. Studies on interferon-α-treated patients reveal at least two
distinct syndromes: 1) a mood/cognitive syndrome that appears late during interferon-α
therapy is responsive to antidepressants and is associated with activation of neuroendocrine
pathways and altered serotonin metabolism; and 2) a neurovegetative syndrome characterized
by psychomotor slowing, and fatigue that appears early during interferon-α treatment
is antidepressant nonresponsive and may be mediated by alterations in basal ganglia
dopamine metabolism. Findings from interferon-α may provide important clues regarding
the pathophysiology and treatment of cytokine-induced behavioral changes in medically
ill patients, while also potentially modeling the development of neuropsychiatric
symptoms in patients without medical disorders.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: August 19, 2004
Accepted:
February 10,
2004
Received in revised form:
February 3,
2004
Received:
October 16,
2003
Identification
Copyright
© 2004 Society of Biological Psychiatry. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
