Cognitive efficiency is associated with endogenous cytokine levels in patients with chronic hepatitis C

Robin C Hilsabeck, Gregory M. Anstead, Amy L. Webb, Anastasio Hoyumpa, Paul T Ingmundson, Steve Holliday, Qiong Zhang, Angela M. Casas, Marci Jovel, Stephen L Stern

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

32 Scopus citations

Abstract

The etiology of cognitive dysfunction in chronic hepatitis C (CHC) infection is unknown. Among the possibilities is cytokine activation, which has been associated with cognitive dysfunction in other chronic conditions. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between endogenous IFN-α, IL-6, and TNF-α and cognitive functioning in CHC patients. Seventy-eight veterans with CHC underwent cognitive testing and measurement of serum cytokines. In patients with detectable IFN-α, higher levels of IL-6 and TNF-α were related to poorer cognitive functioning. Findings suggest CHC patients with immune responses characterized by elevated IFN-α may be at risk for cognitive difficulties.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)53-61
Number of pages9
JournalJournal of Neuroimmunology
Volume221
Issue number1-2
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 2010

Keywords

  • ANAM
  • Cognitive dysfunction
  • Cytokines
  • Hepatitis C
  • Immune system
  • Interferon-α

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Immunology and Allergy
  • Immunology
  • Neurology
  • Clinical Neurology

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