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Assessment of Presynaptic Dopamine Function in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C Treated with Interferon-Alpha
Study Details
Interferon (IFN)-alpha treatment induces neuropsychiatric symptoms, including depressive disorders, cognitive alterations, fatigue and psychomotor slowing in a large number of patients. Recent data suggest that dopamine, a brain chemical (i.e., neurotransmitter) that plays a major role in the control of movement, emotional response, and ability to experience pleasure and pain, may be altered during IFN-alpha treatment. The aims of this study are to assess dopamine activity in patients receiving IFN-alpha for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C using positron emission tomography (PET) and to determine the relationship between IFN-alpha-induced behavioral symptoms and dopamine function as measured by PET. Subjects will be asked to come in for one or more screening visits, followed by a two PET scans; one before IFN-alpha therapy and one after 4 weeks of IFN-alpha treatment. Subjects are in the PET scanner for approximately one hour and are requested to lie quietly during the scan. Relevant publications are indicated below. If you are interested in participating in this study, please call (404) 727-8229 or click here for more information.
Capuron, L., Pagnoni, G., Demetrashvili, M., Lawson, D.H., Fornwalt, F., Woolwine, B.J., Berns, G.S., Nemeroff, C.B., Miller, A.H.. Basal ganglia hypermetabolism and symptoms of fatigue during interferon-alpha therapy. Neuropsychopharmacology, In Press.
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