Depression Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Depression, including details on clinical depression, medication, symptoms, treatment, counselling, therapy.

Promoter polymorphisms of the interferon-alpha receptor gene and development of Interferon-induced depressive symptoms in patients with chronic hepatitis C: preliminary findings.

Yoshida K, Alagbe O, Wang X, Woolwine B, Thornbury M, Raison CL, Miller AH

Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Ga., USA. cxw01076@nifty.com

BACKGROUND: Interferon (IFN)-alpha treatment frequently induces depression, which can impair quality of life and reduce treatment adherence. Defining relevant risk factors for IFN-alpha-induced depression is essential for designing preventative treatment strategies. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the present study was to determine whether promoter polymorphisms of -408C/T, -3C/T and GT repeat dinucleotide microsatellite in the IFN-alpha/beta receptor 1 (IFNAR1) gene are associated with the development of IFN-induced depression. METHOD: Fifty patients with chronic hepatitis C were treated with pegylated IFN alpha-2b plus a standard or weight-based dose of ribavirin. Severity of depression was assessed using the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) at baseline and at 4, 8, 12 and 24 weeks of treatment. RESULT: The baseline to maximum difference in the SDS index score of neurovegetative/somatic symptoms was higher in patients with the 5/14 genotype of the GT repeat dinucleotide microsatellite polymorphism than in those patients with other genotypes (p = 0.0084). CONCLUSION: This preliminary result suggests that the promoter GT repeat dinucleotide microsatellite polymorphism of the IFNAR1 gene may represent a risk factor for the development of depressive symptoms during IFN-alpha therapy for hepatitis C and other conditions.

Published 12 August 2005 in Neuropsychobiology, 52(2): 55-61.
Full-text of this article is available online (may require subscription).

© 2004-2008 Depression Research Today. All Rights Reserved.