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Cited by 77Hepatitis C virus researchTryptophan and brain disordersCancer-related cognitive impairment studies

Cognitive impairment in patients with chronic hepatitis treated with interferon alpha (IFNα): results from a prospective study

Lieb, Klaus, Engelbrecht, Marc A., Gut, Oliver, Fiebich, Bernd L., Bauer, Joachim, Janssen, Gesa, Schaefer, Martin·2006·European Psychiatry
DOI 10.1016/j.eurpsy.2004.09.030
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Abstract

Background.: Treatment with low-dose interferon alpha (IFN-α) is often associated with neuropsychiatric side effects. In addition to depression and anxiety, IFN-α associated cognitive impairment significantly affects patient’s mental health and quality of life. Aims of the study.: To measure possible effects of low-dose IFN-α on cognitive functioning and its relationship to the development of depression and anxiety. Method.: We prospectively followed 38 patients with a chronic hepatitis B or C by neuropsychological tests and psychiatric self-rating scales during 12 weeks of low-dose treatment with IFN-α. Results.: Before IFN-α treatment, neuropsychological tests as well as self-ratings in the Beck’s Depression Inventory (BDI), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the Self-Report Symptom Inventory 90 Items-Revised (SCL-90-R) were within the normal range. Following 12 weeks of treatment with IFN-α resulted in a slight, but significant increase in depression scores. Neuropsychological assessment after 12 weeks of IFN-α treatment showed a significant decrease of the immediate recall in the Auditory-Verbal Learning Test (AVLT) and a significant reduction of words recited in the Controlled Oral Word Association Test (COWA). Cognitive impairment did not significantly correlate with depressive symptoms or anxiety. Conclusion.: Our results indicate that even low-dose IFN-α induces cognitive impairment independent from depressive symptoms, which might be related to functional disturbances in the prefrontal cortex and the hippocampus. We suggest close monitoring of cognitive function during IFN-α treatment of chronic hepatitis.

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Authors
Lieb, K., Engelbrecht, M. A., Gut, O., Fiebich, B. L., Bauer, J., Janssen, G., & Schaefer, M.
Affiliations
  • University of Freiburg (DE)
  • Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin (DE)
Corresponding author
Schaefer, Martin
ORCID
Venue
European Psychiatry
Publisher
Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Published
2006-04
Volume
21
Issue
3
Pages
204-210
ISSN
  • 0924-9338 (ISSN-L)
  • 1778-3585
DOI
10.1016/j.eurpsy.2004.09.030
OpenAlex
W2073606662
Cited by
77
References
50
Citations by year
2026: 1 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 2 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 1 · 2020: 2 · 2019: 4 · 2018: 5 · 2017: 5 · 2016: 3 · 2015: 3 · 2014: 7 · 2013: 1 · 2012: 8
FWCI
2.87
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
www.cambridge.org/core/terms (unspecified, 5129 d)
Locations
  • European Psychiatry (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • FreiDok plus (Universitätsbibliothek Freiburg) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Hepatology › Hepatitis C virus research
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Biological Psychiatry › Tryptophan and brain disorders
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine › Cancer-related cognitive impairment studies
Keywords
interferon-alpha, cognitive impairment, chronic hepatitis B, chronic hepatitis C, neuropsychiatric adverse effects, depression, anxiety, verbal memory, prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, antiviral therapy
MeSH terms
Adult, Aged, Analysis of Variance, Antiviral Agents, Anxiety Disorders, Cognition Disorders, Depressive Disorder, Dose-Response Relationship, Drug, Female, Hepatitis, Chronic, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Neuropsychological Tests, Prospective Studies, Psychiatric Status Rating Scales, Self-Assessment, Interferon-alpha

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