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Completed

NCT Number: NCT00136214

Cerebral Effects of Pegylated Interferon in Hepatitis C Positive Subjects

The hypothesis of this study is that pegylated interferon would cause cognitive deficits and mood changes in hepatitis C (HCV) positive subjects.

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Key information

Conditions

Hepatitis C Blood-Borne Infections Communicable Diseases Digestive System Diseases Flaviviridae Infections Hepatitis Hepatitis, Viral, Human Infections Liver Diseases RNA Virus Infections Virus Diseases

Age range

18 year–65 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Observational

Primary location

Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

Boston, Massachusetts, 02215, United States

About this study

Subjects with non-cirrhotic hepatitis C will have a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)/magnetic resonance (MR) spectroscopy and neuropsychological testing prior to starting interferon. Subjects will have repeat testing following 12 weeks of interferon therapy and again at 12 weeks post interferon therapy.

MR spectroscopy (MRS) will measure the cerebral metabolites, NAA (N-acetyl aspartate), Cho (choline), MI (myoinositol) and Cr (creatine) at 3 distinct brain regions, i.e. basal ganglia and 2 locations within the frontal cortex.

Neuropsychological testing will include tests of the following cognitive domains: executive functioning, memory, language, motor skills and will also include questionnaires pertaining to quality of life (SF-36), mood (Beck's depression inventory) and a self-rating cognitive questionnaire (Conners' Adult Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Rating Scales [CAARS]).

Control subjects will include non-cirrhotic HCV subjects who are not taking interferon therapy.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Adults (>18 years old) of both sexes with chronic HCV infection (all genotypes).
  • Subjects due to start treatment with pegylated interferon-alpha (IFN-a) for HCV eradication.
  • Subjects with chronic hepatitis C who have elected not to be treated with pegylated-IFN-a
  • Subjects with mild fibrosis on liver biopsy (stage 0-III/IV fibrosis)
  • Subjects able to give informed consent.
  • Subjects with controlled depression currently taking anti-depressant medication.

Exclusion criteria

  • Subjects with cirrhosis on liver biopsy.
  • Subjects with active alcohol or drug abuse.
  • Subjects co-infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
  • Subjects with structural brain abnormality, past history of cerebrovascular accident (CVA) or serious head trauma.
  • Subjects with seizure disorder.
  • Subjects with any contraindication to IFN therapy.
  • Subjects with a poor command of the English language.
  • Subjects with a contraindication to MRI, e.g. pacemaker, claustrophobia.

Treatment and study plan

MR brain and neuropsychiatric tests

Diagnostic Test

Primary outcomes

  1. Ratios of Cerebral Metabolites Choline (CH), Myoinisitol (MI) and N-acety Aspartate (NAA)to Creatine (Cr) in 3 Brain Regions Including Basal Ganglia, Frontal Cortex and Left Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex

    Time frame: 18 months overall with measures performed at baseline (T1), week 12 (T2) and 12 weeks after end of treatment (T3) with PEG-IFN for 48 weeks which is 60 weeks post baseline

    Evaluation of changes in MR spectroscopy. reductions in ratio of Cho and MI reflect improvements in cerebral inflammation and improvement in cognition. Increases in the NAA ratio are suggestive of improvement in cognitive function.

  2. Neurocognitive Tests for Cerebral Function

    Time frame: 18 months overall with measures performed at baseline (T1), week 12 (T2) and 12 weeks after end of treatment (T3) with PEG-IFN for 48 weeks which is 60 weeks post baseline and only done in treated group and not controls

    A battery of pen and paper neurocognitive tests where subject means are reported compared to the normative Z score. Data is reported at baseline (T1), week 12 on treatment (T2) and 12 weeks after treatment (week 60, T3). Improvements are increases in the test result compared to baseline as determined against the Z score. tests performed included Hopkins learning trials (HVLT), a measure of of verbal learning and memory and the Roy-Osterrieth Complex figure test (ROCF) which evaluates visio-spatal abilities, memory, planning and working memory. Improvements in the score (increases in value compared, either less negative or more positive to the Z score) shown in the table are reflective of improvements in these neurocognitive parameters.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

Other

Collaborators

  • Schering-Plough

Registry information

Official study title

A Study of the Cerebral Effect of Pegylated Interferon in Hepatitis C Positive Subjects

Important dates

Study start
2004
Primary completion
2008
Study completion
2008
First posted
Aug 29, 2005
Registry last updated
Jul 12, 2018

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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