Chronic hepatitis is often associated with neuropsychiatric disorders. Inte
rferon (IFN) is the drug most widely used to treat this disease, and its si
de effects, such as depression, often involve the central nervous system (C
NS). Symptoms include a slowing down of psychomotor functions, loss of inte
rest, frontal lobe dysfunction, parkinsonism, and delirium. The occurrence
of these complications calls for dropping out of IFN treatment or for a sig
nificant dose reduction and administration of antidepressants. Efficacy and
side effects vary on the basis of the IFN type employed. The aim of our st
udy was to evaluate if the frequency, form, and degree of depression induce
d are related to the type of IFN employed. We studied 96 patients with chro
nic hepatitis C. Our study series was divided into four groups according to
the type of IFN-alpha administered. Depression degree was clinically evalu
ated using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D). All patients were
tested before treatment and 1, 3, and 6 months (15 days after the end of tr
eatment) later. Our results showed that the type of IFN used seemed to infl
uence the depression onset rate, with the leukocyte type inducing the lowes
t level of depression. However, when a number of symptoms associated with t
he depression were considered, the results of other types of IFN-alpha were
found to be better. Use of the most suitable type of IFN-alpha could thus
lead to more personalized treatment, with fewer side effects. The type of I
FN used seems to influence the psychological side effects and the adaptatio
n rate to therapy. It would be appropriate to choose the type of IFN on the
basis of a neuropsychiatric assessment carried out before treatment.