PHILADELPHIA, May 17 (UPI) -- U.S. neuropsychologists say depression increases in some patients with multiple sclerosis, and that finding might help in better treatment strategies.
"Depressed mood in patients with multiple sclerosis changes more significantly over time than other stable depression symptoms such as a negative view of oneself or problems in sleep, fatigue, concentration, and appetite," said Peter Arnett, associate professor of psychology at Penn State University.
In addition, data from the tests show a larger number of patients in the increased depressed mood group were also using interferon beta drugs to slow progression of the disease, but researchers say it is too early to say whether the drugs might be causing the depression.
"At this point we can only make an inference but not a causal connection," said Arnett. "We have to understand the characteristics of how depression changes and evolves over time. A better understanding of the natural history of these changes might help inform better treatment strategies. This is the first study to have done this."
The research appears in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry.
