Cytokines and psychopathology: Lessons from interferon-α

Capuron L, Miller AH2004Biological PsychiatryReview

10.1016/j.biopsych.2004.02.009 PubMed

Hypothalamic-PituitaryImmune/InnateNeurological

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.

Key Biomarkers

CytokinesDopamine metabolismInterferon-alphaSerotonin metabolism

Symptom Clusters

Cognitive dysfunctionFatigueMood disorderNeurovegetative syndromePsychomotor slowing

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