EFFECTS OF IFN-BETA ON HUMAN CEREBRAL BLOOD-FLOW DISTRIBUTION

The effect of interferon-beta 1b (IFN-beta) on human cerebral blood fl ow distribution was examined in five multiple sclerosis patients using functional brain single-photon emission tomography (SPECT). Of nine r egions of interest studied, only the basal ganglia exhibited a signifi cant change (increase) in relative photon emission intensity (i.e., re lative blood flow) when comparing SPECT scans obtained 6 h after s.c. IFN-beta injection with scans obtained at the same time of day (noon) 30 h after IFN-beta injection (IFN-beta-free day). The increase in rel ative blood flow to the basal ganglia following IFN-beta injection cor related positively with changes in mean arterial pressure (MAP), Addit ional studies will be required to determine the relevance of these obs ervations for IFN-beta-induced central nervous system side effects.