Introduction:
Fatigue and weariness have been universal experiences throughout human history, coexisting with humanity since its earliest days across all cultures and times. It occurs in ancient stories, including Genesis, in which Adam’s fatigue was linked to the toil imposed upon him as part of the consequences of disobedience, a condition that made sustaining life a laborious task. Acute fatigue, which arises naturally in response to stress or work, is a normal physiological process experienced by all humans regardless of era or place. It signals the body’s need to rest and adapt, playing a vital role in maintaining health and balance.
In contrast, chronic fatigue, as seen in aging populations and conditions like myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), is a complex and often debilitating disorder that extends beyond normal tiredness. It involves sustained disruption of metabolic, neurological, and immune functions, resisting typical recovery mechanisms. The 14 papers in this Research Topic collectively explore the multifaceted nature of fatigue, presenting advances in mechanistic research, epidemiology, clinical interventions, rehabilitation techniques, and innovative monitoring technologies aimed at improving diagnosis, treatment, and management of this persistent condition.
Source: Kujawski S, Hodges L, Morten KJ, Zalewski P. Editorial: Exploring chronic fatigue: neural correlates, mechanisms, and therapeutic strategies. Front Neurosci. 2025 Dec 10;19:1751667. doi: 10.3389/fnins.2025.1751667. PMCID: PMC12728026. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12728026/ (Full text)