Acute Changes in Striatal Microstructure Predict the Development of Interferon-Alpha Induced Fatigue

摘要

BACKGROUND: Interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) is a key mediator of antiviral immune responses used clinically for hepatitis C treatment. Though effective, IFN-alpha induces marked behavioral changes that, when severe, can appear indistinguishable from major depression. Curiously, fatigue and motivational impairment evolve rapidly, suggesting acute engagement of immune-brain communicatory pathways, yet mood impairments typically emerge later, after weeks of treatment. Whether this reflects prolonged modulation of motivational processes underpinning fatigue or separate neurobiological mechanisms is currently unclear.