Tag: neuropsychological impairments

Neuropsychology of chronic fatigue syndrome: a critical review

Abstract:

This article provides a comprehensive and critical review of the neuropsychological and related literature on chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). Despite the methodological limitations observed in several studies, some consistent findings are noted.

The most consistently documented neuropsychological impairments are in the areas of complex information processing speed and efficiency. General intellectual abilities and higher order cognitive skills are intact. Emotional factors influence subjective report of cognitive difficulty, whereas their effect on objective performance remains uncertain.

Although the neuropathological processes underlying cognitive dysfunction in CFS are not yet known, preliminary evidence suggests the involvement of cerebral white matter. Directions for future research are outlined.

 

Source: Tiersky LA, Johnson SK, Lange G, Natelson BH, DeLuca J. Neuropsychology of chronic fatigue syndrome: a critical review. J Clin Exp Neuropsychol. 1997 Aug;19(4):560-86. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9342690

 

Sudden vs gradual onset of chronic fatigue syndrome differentiates individuals on cognitive and psychiatric measures

Abstract:

To examine the influence of mode of illness onset on psychiatric status and neuropsychological performance, 36 patients with CFS were divided into two groups: sudden vs gradual onset of symptoms.

These two CFS subgroups were compared to each other and to sedentary healthy controls on standardized neuropsychological tests of attention/concentration, information processing efficiency, memory, and higher cortical functions. In addition, the distribution of comorbid Axis I psychiatric disease between the two CFS groups was examined.

The rate of concurrent psychiatric disease was significantly greater in the CFS-gradual group relative to the CFS-sudden group. While both CFS groups showed a significant reduction in information processing ability relative to controls, impairment in memory was more severe in the CFS-sudden group. Because of the significant heterogeneity of the CFS population, the need for subgroup analysis is discussed.

 

Source: DeLuca J, Johnson SK, Ellis SP, Natelson BH. Sudden vs gradual onset of chronic fatigue syndrome differentiates individuals on cognitive and psychiatric measures. J Psychiatr Res. 1997 Jan-Feb;31(1):83-90. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9201650

 

Cognitive deficits in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome

Abstract:

Twenty-nine subjects with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and 25 healthy control subjects were administered a lengthy neuropsychological battery that included standard neuropsychological tests and a computerized set of tasks that spanned the same areas of ability.

The primary significant differences between patients and controls were found on tests of learning and memory. These differences remained when the degree of psychiatric symptomatology in the subjects was covaried. Patients on and off psychoactive medications did not differ in their performance on these tasks.

These results suggest that at least a subset of CFS patients may experience significant impairments in learning and memory.

 

Source: Marcel B, Komaroff AL, Fagioli LR, Kornish RJ 2nd, Albert MS. Cognitive deficits in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome. Biol Psychiatry. 1996 Sep 15;40(6):535-41. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8879474

 

Neuropsychological impairments in chronic fatigue syndrome, multiple sclerosis, and depression

Abstract:

To examine the degree and nature of cognitive impairments in chronic fatigue syndrome, a comprehensive neuropsychological battery was given to patients with chronic fatigue syndrome, multiple sclerosis, depressed patients, and healthy controls. The battery included tests of attention and concentration, information processing speed, verbal and visual memory, intellectual ability, and concept formation. Measures of depression and anxiety were also obtained.

The chronic fatigue syndrome group did not differ from the depressed group in overall neuropsychological performance, but differed from the multiple sclerosis and control groups. The most significant impairment was in information processing speed in the chronic fatigue syndrome group. Depression and anxiety were not related to neuropsychological performance. The influence of reduced information processing on other areas of cognition is discussed.

 

Source: DeLuca J, Johnson SK, Beldowicz D, Natelson BH. Neuropsychological impairments in chronic fatigue syndrome, multiple sclerosis, and depression. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 1995 Jan;58(1):38-43. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1073266/ (Full article)

 

Neuropsychiatric status of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome: an overview

Abstract:

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is an illness that results in debilitating fatigue as well as rheumatological, infectious, and neuropsychiatric symptoms. The present paper is a brief overview of the neuropsychological and psychiatric research on CFS. Studies from our laboratory contrasting CFS with patients with multiple sclerosis, depression, and healthy controls are detailed. Our hypothesis of neuropsychological impairments in CFS is discussed.

 

Source: Deluca J, Johnson SK, Natelson BH. Neuropsychiatric status of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome: an overview. Toxicol Ind Health. 1994 Jul-Oct;10(4-5):513-22. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7778111