title: Cytokines and psychopathology: lessons from interferon-alpha.
abstract: Interferon-alpha is a potent inducer of the cytokine network and is notorious for causing behavioral alterations. Studies on interferon-alpha-treated patients reveal at least two distinct syndromes: 1) a mood/cognitive syndrome that appears late during interferon-alpha therapy is responsive to antidepressants and is associated with activation of neuroendocrine pathways and altered serotonin metabolism; and 2) a neurovegetative syndrome characterized by psychomotor slowing, and fatigue that appears early during interferon-alpha treatment is antidepressant nonresponsive and may be mediated by alterations in basal ganglia dopamine metabolism. Findings from interferon-alpha may provide important clues regarding the pathophysiology and treatment of cytokine-induced behavioral changes in medically ill patients, while also potentially modeling the development of neuropsychiatric symptoms in patients without medical disorders.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
authors.forename: Lucile
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Capuron
authors.forename: Andrew H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Miller
mesh_terms: D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D001479:Basal Ganglia / Q000378:metabolism; D001526:Behavioral Symptoms / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000276:immunology; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000150:complications; D016207:Cytokines / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000378:metabolism; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000009:adverse effects*; D018448:Models, Immunological; D011599:Psychopathology; D012701:Serotonin / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D012701:Serotonin; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D006854:Hydrocortisone