title: Pattern of neurobehavioral deficits associated with interferon alfa therapy for leukemia.
abstract: We evaluated the neuropsychological and personality profiles of 25 patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia treated with interferon alfa (IFN-alpha). This group of persons performed well below expectation on tests of cognitive speed, verbal memory, and executive functions. Personality changes included depression, increased somatic concern, and stress reactions. A control group of leukemia patients not treated with IFN-alpha had significantly better cognitive speed and mood. The pattern of cognitive and personality changes in patients receiving IFN-alpha is highly suggestive of frontal-subcortical brain dysfunction.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuro-Oncology, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston 77030, USA.
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Pavol
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Meyers
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Rexer
authors.forename: A D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Valentine
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Mattis
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Talpaz
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001519:Behavior / Q000187:drug effects*; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects*; D004644:Emotions / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015464:Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010551:Personality / Q000187:drug effects; D010556:Personality Tests; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D016898:Interferon-alpha