Labile anger during interferon alfa treatment is associated with a polymorphism in tumor necrosis factor alpha.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Inflammatory cytokines may influence both labile anger and depression. Both psychiatric conditions can occur during interferon alfa-based treatments. Evidence also indicates a central nervous system role for tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), whose expression may be increased by interferon alfa. A polymorphism in the promoter region of TNF-alpha has been associated with various inflammatory illnesses. We therefore hypothesized that this TNF-alpha polymorphism would influence susceptibility to psychiatric symptoms during interferon alfa therapy.

Methods

One hundred five patients with hepatitis C, initially without active major depression (major depressive disorder), were treated with interferon alfa and then prospectively monitored using the Structured Clinica

SUBMITTER: Lotrich FE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2911643 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature