Primary Navigation for the CDC Website
CDC en Español

Search:  

News & Highlights

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome > Publications > Causes Publications >

Basal ganglia hypermetabolism and symptoms of fatigue during interferon-α therapy

Capuron L, Pagnoni G, Demetrashvili MR, Lawson DH, Fornwalt FB, Woolwine B, Berns G, Nemeroff CB, Miller AH
Neuropsychopharmacology 2007;32:2384-2392; doi:10.1038/sj.npp.1301362.

Summary

This is a report from one of the 'modeling' studies conducted by the CDC CFS collaborative research group. Modeling studies conducted collaboratively with research group investigators from Emory University measure immune and neuroendocrine parameters and sleep, metabolism, mood, and cognitive responses to interferon (IFN)-α therapy for hepatitis C virus (HCV). IFN-α is a powerful immune modulator, and patients who receive IFN-α develop a CFS-like illness. Insights gained from studies of IFN-α have helped us to interpret results from field studies of CFS. In this study, we found that patients receiving IFN-α develop significant changes in brain metabolic activity that are correlated with their CFS-like symptoms and that this involves the basal ganglia region of the brain.

Abstract

Interferon (IFN)-a is a cytokine of the innate immune response that is well known for inducing behavioral alterations and has been used to study effects of cytokines on the nervous system. Limited data, however, are available on the sites of action of IFN-a within the brain and their relationship with specific IFN-a-induced symptoms. Using a longitudinal design, whole-brain metabolic activity as assessed by fluorine-18-labeled fluorodeoxyglucose uptake and positron emission tomography was examined before and 4 weeks after IFN-a administration in patients with malignant melanoma. Changes in metabolic activity in relevant brain regions were then correlated with IFN-a-induced behavioral changes. IFN-a administration was associated with widespread bilateral increases in glucose metabolism in subcortical regions including the basal ganglia and cerebellum. Decreases in dorsal prefrontal cortex glucose metabolism were also observed. Prominent IFN-a-induced behavioral changes included lassitude, inability to feel, and fatigue. Correlational analyses revealed that self-reported fatigue (specifically as assessed by the ‘energy’ subscale of the Visual Analog Scale of Fatigue) was associated with increased glucose metabolism in the left nucleus accumbens and putamen. These data indicate that IFN-a as well as other cytokines of the innate immune response may target basal ganglia nuclei, thereby contributing to fatigue-related symptoms in medically ill patients.

Page last modified on October 24, 2007

Topic Contents

• Topic Contents

Additional Navigation for the CDC Website

“Safer Healthier People”
 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA
Tel: 404-639-3311  /  Public Inquiries: (404) 639-3534  /  (800) 311-3435