COVID-19, interferons, and depression: A commentary.
Psychiatry Res
; 291: 113198, 2020 09.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-548196
ABSTRACT
An option currently being explored for the treatment of COVID-19 is the use of interferons (INFs), either alone or in combination with other antiviral agents. INFs are known to shift the metabolism of tryptophan (TRP) away from its role as a precursor of serotonin. For some patients, reduction in TRP levels may either expose an underlying vulnerability to depression or trigger a de novo episode of depression. This Commentary discusses the pathway involved and recommends in-hospital augmentation with foods or supplements that increase TRP levels for COVID-19 patients treated with INFs. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors may also be tried if the depressive symptomatology is not short-lived.
Keywords
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Pneumonia, Viral
/
Interferons
/
Coronavirus Infections
/
Depression
/
Betacoronavirus
Type of study:
Qualitative research
Limits:
Humans
Language:
English
Journal:
Psychiatry Res
Year:
2020
Document Type:
Article
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