Not a simple typo this time, but rather an omission in an otherwise interesting article on depression and immune systems in NewScientist (7 May 2016, paywall), Jessica Hamzelou writes:
One side effect of the [interferon alpha] is that between 30 and 40 per cent of those who take it go on to develop depression. The drug can have an effect similar to experiencing a stressful life event, says [Carmine Pariante] – some who take it will develop depression, while others will be resilient.
Pariante’s team monitored 58 people who took the drug for six months for hepatitis C. The researchers took blood samples before and after this period, and assessed the participants’ mental health using questionnaires.
By the end of the period, 20 of them had experienced a major depressive episode, with symptoms such as persistent fatigue, sadness, hopelessness, and loss of appetite.
When Pariente’s team looked at the blood samples, they found that these individuals had altered patterns of gene expression before they even started taking the drug. These people seemed naturally to make more proteins that are involved in inflammation, oxidative stress and the death of neurons, and fewer proteins involved in brain cell growth (Neuropsychopharmacology, doi.org/bfqn). “Overall, this has a toxic effect on brain function,” says Pariante.
So, is 20 out of 58 beyond those treated with a different regimen? I’m left wondering if that would be the expected percentage given that the patients have a very serious illness and some, quite likely, will be pre-disposed to depression in any case. Tell me!
