Related Experiment Video

Updated: Dec 18, 2025

Stem Cell-Derived Viral Ag-Specific T Lymphocytes Suppress HBV Replication in Mice
07:25

Stem Cell-Derived Viral Ag-Specific T Lymphocytes Suppress HBV Replication in Mice

Published on: September 25, 2019

7.3K

Can successful treatment by direct-acting antivirals improve depression in chronic HCV patients?

Amal Tohamy Abdel Moez1, Yomna Ahmed El Hawary2, Amira Mahmoud Al Balakosy1

  • 1Tropical Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine.

European Journal of Gastroenterology & Hepatology
|June 20, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) significantly improve depression in chronic hepatitis C (CHCV) patients by clearing the virus. However, persistent depression may occur in older females with significant fibrosis and low hemoglobin.

Area of Science:

  • Hepatology
  • Neuropsychiatry
  • Virology

Background:

  • Depression is a common neuropsychiatric issue in chronic hepatitis C (CHCV) patients.
  • Neuropathogenic mechanisms are believed to cause depression in CHCV.
  • Direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) offer a potential treatment for viral clearance and associated symptoms.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the impact of viral clearance achieved through DAAs on depression levels in CHCV patients.
  • To evaluate the efficacy of DAAs in mitigating depression in the context of hepatitis C treatment.

Main Methods:

  • 150 CHCV patients eligible for DAAs were enrolled.
  • The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) scale was used to assess depression at baseline, 1 month, and 3 months post-treatment.
  • Sustained virological response (SVR) was confirmed for all patients.

Main Results:

  • A significant decrease in BDI scores was observed post-treatment (from 10 ± 5 at baseline to 5.3 ± 5 at 1 month and 3.5 ± 4.5 at 3 months).
  • 13.3% of patients maintained a BDI score >10 post-treatment.
  • Persistent high depression scores were associated with older age, female gender, higher baseline FIB4 scores, significant fibrosis, and lower baseline hemoglobin.

Conclusions:

  • Successful DAA treatment leads to significant improvement in depression associated with CHCV.
  • Depression may persist in specific subgroups, including elderly females with significant fibrosis and low hemoglobin.
  • Further research may be needed to address persistent depression in these patient populations.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Oral Combinational Antiretroviral Treatment in HIV-1 Infected Humanized Mice06:07

Oral Combinational Antiretroviral Treatment in HIV-1 Infected Humanized Mice

Published on: October 6, 2022

2.7K
Rapid Screening of HIV Reverse Transcriptase and Integrase Inhibitors05:46

Rapid Screening of HIV Reverse Transcriptase and Integrase Inhibitors

Published on: April 9, 2014

18.2K

Related Concept Videos

Retrovirus Life Cycles01:10

Retrovirus Life Cycles

Retroviruses have a single-stranded RNA genome that undergoes a special form of replication. Once the retrovirus has entered the host cell, an enzyme called reverse transcriptase synthesizes double-stranded DNA from the retroviral RNA genome. This DNA copy of the genome is then integrated into the host’s genome inside the nucleus via an enzyme called integrase. Consequently, the retroviral genome is transcribed into RNA whenever the host’s genome is transcribed, allowing the...
48.9K
Depression: Overview01:18

Depression: Overview

Depression is a prevalent mental illness marked by persistent sadness and lack of interest in previously enjoyable activities. It can take several forms, including major depression, persistent depressive disorder, and bipolar I and II disorders. Symptoms range from emotional changes like chronic worry to physical changes like sleep disturbances and suicidal thoughts. From a neurobiological perspective, depression is believed to be triggered by abnormalities in the brain's prefrontal cortex,...
654
Long-term Depression01:03

Long-term Depression

Long-term depression, or LTD, is one of the ways by which synaptic plasticity—changes in the strength of chemical synapses—can occur in the brain. LTD is the process of synaptic weakening that occurs over time between pre and postsynaptic neuronal connections. The synaptic weakening of LTD works in opposition to synaptic strengthening by long-term potentiation (LTP) and together are the main mechanisms that underlie learning and memory.
Calcium Ion Concentration Mechanism
If over...
2.9K
Long-term Depression01:05

Long-term Depression

Long-term depression, or LTD, is one of the ways by which synaptic plasticity—changes in the strength of chemical synapses—can occur in the brain. LTD is the process of synaptic weakening that occurs over time between pre and postsynaptic neuronal connections. The synaptic weakening of LTD works in opposition to synaptic strengthening by long-term potentiation (LTP) and together are the main mechanisms that underlie learning and memory.
32.8K
Depressive Disorders: MDD and Dysthymia01:27

Depressive Disorders: MDD and Dysthymia

Depressive disorders are a group of mental health conditions characterized by pervasive feelings of sadness, diminished pleasure in life, and a significant impact on daily functioning. These conditions are most prevalent in individuals during their 30s and affect women at twice the rate of men. Contrary to popular belief, younger individuals are generally more susceptible to these disorders than older adults. Two key types of depressive disorders include Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and...
418
Antidepressant Drugs: Overview01:25

Antidepressant Drugs: Overview

Antidepressant drugs are a class of medications primarily used for treating various mood disorders, including major depression, anxiety disorders, and other related conditions. These medicines work by modulating the neurotransmitter balance within the brain, alleviating depressive symptoms. Antidepressants can be broadly categorized into several groups according to their mechanism of action and chemical structure: Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs), Serotonin-Norepinephrine...
1.2K