title: [Psychiatric sequelae of interferon-alpha therapy].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Psychopathologic conditions commonly complicate the treatment with the interferon-alpha. The most important among them is depression, which can induce suicidal attempt. The outcome of mental side effects of interferon-alpha necessitate the discontinuation of therapy and, in more severe cases, psychiatric treatment.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  A brief literature review presents the biology of interferon-alpha with emphasis on the central nervous system effects which are probably closely related to mental side effects. Three case reports demonstrate the interdisciplinary nature of interferon induced psychiatric conditions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The appearance of neuropsychiatric side effects of interferon-alpha are frequent, the consequences of which can prove dramatic: involvement of the vital prognosis, psychiatric morbidity, especially depressions, and suicidal risk.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The close collaboration of clinical practitioners and psychiatrists, from the pre-therapeutical evaluation to the follow up care is required.
authors.affiliation: Pécsi Tudományegyetem, Altalános Orvostudományi Kar, Pszichiátriai és Orvosi Pszichológiai Klinika.
authors.forename: Attila
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kovács
authors.forename: Arpád
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Szomor
authors.forename: Ildikó
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Abrahám
authors.forename: Ferenc
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Nagy
authors.forename: Hajna
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Losonczy
mesh_terms: D001007:Anxiety / Q000139:chemically induced; D001812:Blood-Brain Barrier / Q000187:drug effects; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000187:drug effects*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000139:chemically induced*; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015464:Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced; D008875:Middle Aged; D012894:Sleep Stages; D000092864:Suicide Prevention
chemical_list: D016898:Interferon-alpha