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Neurotoxic and other side effects of high‐dose interferon in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Author(s) -
Färkkilä Markus,
Livanainen Matti,
Roine Risto,
Bergström Lea,
Laaksonen Ritva,
Niemi MarjaLiisa,
Cantell Kari
Publication year - 1984
Publication title -
acta neurologica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.967
H-Index - 95
eISSN - 1600-0404
pISSN - 0001-6314
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0404.1984.tb00801.x
Subject(s) - medicine , chills , side effect (computer science) , leukopenia , malaise , nausea , anesthesia , lethargy , amyotrophic lateral sclerosis , encephalitis , hyperpnea , gastroenterology , toxicity , immunology , disease , virus , computer science , respiratory system , programming language
– 6 patients with amyotrophic lateral scleorsis were treated with intravenous infusion of 100–200 million IU per day of human leukocyte interferon. Side effects of treatment included fever, chills, malaise, nausea, marked leukopenia, mild anemia, and thrombocytopenia. Tiredness, confusion, papilledema, and overall signs of acute encephalitis were observed. Tendon reflexes and muscle force decreased. EEG activity was slowed, and evoked potentials showed significant slowing of conduction times. Neuro‐psychological tests revealed congitive dysfunction. The syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion developed in all patients. All side effects were reversible with cessation of interferon treatment.