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Cognitive dysfunction and depression during treatment with interferon-alpha and chemotherapy
Randall S Scheibel1, Alan D Valentine, Susan O'Brien
1Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.
Summary
Interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) treatment for leukemia may cause cognitive impairment, even when accounting for depression. Chemotherapy and higher IFN-alpha doses appear to worsen these cognitive side effects.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Oncology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Contradictory findings exist regarding cognitive side effects of interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha).
- The role of depression in IFN-alpha-induced cognitive dysfunction is unclear.
- Investigating cognitive changes during IFN-alpha treatment is crucial for patient management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess cognitive function in chronic myelogenous leukemia patients undergoing IFN-alpha treatment.
- To determine if cognitive decline is solely due to depression or an organic effect of IFN-alpha.
- To explore the impact of chemotherapy and cumulative IFN-alpha dose on cognitive function.
Main Methods:
- Thirty chronic myelogenous leukemia patients were evaluated.
- Cognitive assessments were performed before and during IFN-alpha treatment (alone or with chemotherapy).
- Depressive symptoms were monitored concurrently.
Main Results:
- Patients exhibited increased depressive symptoms and declines in information processing and executive functions.
- Depression alone did not fully explain the observed cognitive dysfunction.
- Chemotherapy exposure and higher cumulative IFN-alpha dose showed a correlation with cognitive impairment.
Conclusions:
- IFN-alpha treatment may lead to cognitive dysfunction independent of mood changes.
- Chemotherapy and cumulative IFN-alpha dose are potential contributors to cognitive impairment.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the mechanisms of IFN-alpha-induced neurotoxicity.