Cognitive Effects of Long-Term Pegylated Interferon in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C

Investigators:

Principal Investigator: Robert J. Fontana

Co-Investigator: Karen Lindsay

Hypotheses/Aims

The goal of this ancillary study is to assess the effects of long-term IFN therapy on cognitive function and mood status using objective and validated tools. The specific aims are to:

1. Assess serial changes in cognitive function and mood status in IFN treated patients compared to untreated controls.
2. Identify risk factors associated with IFN induced cognitive changes.
3. Determine if IFN induced cognitive changes are reversible after cessation of therapy.
4. Determine if IFN induced cognitive changes correlate with changes in mood and neurohormone levels.
5. Determine if the frequency, type, severity, and reversibility of IFN induced cognitive changes in W20 virologic responders that receive 48 weeks of PEG + Ribavirin are different from those observed in non-responder controls treated for 6 months with PEG + Ribavirin.