Mapped Auditory Evoked Potentials Before and After Interferon Treatment

Abstract

Neurotoxicity induced by interferon (IFN) is revealed by neurobehavioral changes, such as irritability, somnolence, lack of motivation, and delayed ideation. As these side effects persist throughout IFN-α treatment, we studied cerebral mapped auditory evoked potentials (MAEP) in 20 hepatitis C virus antibody (HCV Ab)-positive chronic active hepatitis patients before and after administration of leukocyte IFN-α(i.m.3,000,000 IU). Some of the main components of MAEP, such as morphology, latency, and power spectra, were altered before IFN injection. These parameters changed 7 h after administration as revealed by increased quality and quantity of acoustic signal reaching the brain cortex and appearance of physiologic waves in patients with mild/intermediate liver disease. These effects revealed 48 h after IFN administration.