Abstract
We investigated the relationship between psychotic symptoms during interferon (IFN) therapy and cerebral blood flow using single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). The subjects were ten patients (six men and four women) with hepatitis C scheduled for IFN treatment. A psychiatric consultation and an electroencephalograph (EEG) were conducted before IFN administration. Subsequent psychiatric consultations were conducted if any psychotic symptoms occurred during IFN therapy. Cerebral SPECT was performed before and at 6–8 weeks after starting IFN therapy in all patients. Cerebral SPECT demonstrated a decreased regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) during IFN administration in two out of the ten patients (20%). A depressive state appeared in three out of the ten patients. In two of these three patients, decreased rCBF during IFN administration was observed. There were no changes in EEG findings at 2 months of IFN therapy. A rCBF decrease after IFN administration was observed in two patients. These two patients presented a depressive state during IFN therapy. These findings suggest that decreased rCBF induced by IFN could contribute to a depressive state.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
