Acute delirium, delusion, and depression during IFN-beta-1a therapy for multiple sclerosis: a case report

Clin Neuropharmacol. 2003 Jan-Feb;26(1):5-7. doi: 10.1097/00002826-200301000-00002.

Abstract

Adverse effects of interferon (IFN) treatment are common, and efforts to minimize these reactions are of considerable importance. IFN-beta-1a is an established therapy for patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS). Its psychiatric side effects are debated and not yet fully established. The authors report here the case of a patient on IFN-beta-1a therapy for MS who developed acute delirium, delusion, and depression that ceased with treatment discontinuation. Although he had a history of recurrent major depressive disorder, his prior psychiatric illness had followed a course that was clinically independent of other signs of MS. This observation points out psychiatric vulnerability of patients taking IFN-beta-1a therapy for MS and suggests that IFN-beta-1a may induce or exacerbate preexisting psychotic symptoms.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adjuvants, Immunologic / adverse effects*
  • Adjuvants, Immunologic / therapeutic use
  • Adult
  • Delirium / chemically induced*
  • Delusions / chemically induced*
  • Depression / chemically induced*
  • Humans
  • Interferon beta-1a
  • Interferon-beta / adverse effects*
  • Interferon-beta / therapeutic use
  • Male
  • Multiple Sclerosis / drug therapy*

Substances

  • Adjuvants, Immunologic
  • Interferon-beta
  • Interferon beta-1a