Quantitative Electroencephalographic Analysis in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C Treated with Interferon-α: A...

This review article describes our results regarding the relationship between quantitative electroencephalographic (qEEG) changes and the administration of interferon (IFN) α. We prospectively and blindly assessed a serial cohort of chronic hepatitis C patients. A total of 168 consecutive patients with chronic hepatitis C were enrolled from 1995 to 2007. IFNα was administered intramuscularly at 9 × 10⁶ IU daily for the first 4 weeks and then three times a week for the next 20 weeks. Consecutive EEGs obtained before, 2 and 4 weeks after treatment initiation, and 2-3 days after treatment termination were assessed. EEG recordings were obtained from each patient in the resting awake condition with their eyes closed. The absolute power for each frequency band was determined using qEEG techniques. Diffuse slowing was observed during IFNα treatment and was reversible after completion of treatment. A tendency to this qEEG change was generally observed in all patients. The patient's age and severity of chronic hepatitis were factors that influenced qEEG changes during IFNα treatment. The change in the Mini-Mental State Examination score and IFNα-induced depression were also related to qEEG changes. Such diffuse EEG changes indicated mild encephalopathy associated with IFNα treatment. © 2015 S. Karger AG, Basel.