Tag: visual attention

Comparative Study Between Cognitive Phenotypes of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Multiple Sclerosis

Abstract:

Objective: Cognitive impairments are one of the most common and disabling symptoms associated with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). Here, we address the possibility of a specific cognitive profile inherent to ME/CFS. Due to the occurrence of cognitive deficits, fatigue, and pain in both pathologies, multiple sclerosis (MS) is a relevant comparison model. For this purpose, we carried out a comparative study between cognitive profiles of patients with ME/CFS and patients suffering from MS.

Methods: In total, 40 ME/CFS and 40 MS patients were included. A complete screening of all cognitive functions was carried out through an extensive battery of tests routinely used in clinical practice.

Results: ME/CFS and MS patients showed deficits in episodic memory retrieval, visual selective attention and reading speed. ME/CFS patients also elicited a lower level of performance than MS patients regarding consolidation. For both groups, levels of performance on these cognitive tests did not correlate with levels of fatigue, pain, and depression.

Conclusions: This study highlighted both similarities and differences in the cognitive profiles of ME/CFS and MS patients. While both groups exhibited deficits in episodic memory retrieval, visual selective attention, and reading speed, ME/CFS patients showed distinct impairment in consolidation processes. These cognitive deficits were not correlated with fatigue, pain, or depression, reinforcing the hypothesis of intrinsic cognitive dysfunction in ME/CFS. These findings define a specific cognitive phenotype for ME/CFS, which could improve diagnostic accuracy and therapeutic strategies. Future research, particularly in functional imaging, may elucidate the neurobiological mechanisms underlying these impairments.

Source: Aoun Sebaiti M, Oubaya N, Gounden Y, Samson C, Lechapt E, Wahab A, Creange A, Hainselin M, Authier FJ. Comparative Study Between Cognitive Phenotypes of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Multiple Sclerosis. Diagnostics (Basel). 2025 Feb 17;15(4):487. doi: 10.3390/diagnostics15040487. PMID: 40002638. https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4418/15/4/487 (Full text)

Patterns of abnormal visual attention in myalgic encephalomyelitis

Abstract:

PURPOSE: To experimentally assess visual attention difficulties commonly reported by those with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS).

METHODS: Twenty-nine ME/CFS patients and 29 controls took part in the study. Performance was assessed using the Useful Field of View (UFOV), a spatial cueing task and visual search.

RESULTS: Patients and controls performed similarly on the processing speed subtest of the UFOV. However, patients exhibited marginally worse performance compared with controls on the divided attention subtest and significantly worse performance on the selective attention subtest. In the spatial cueing task, they were slower than controls to respond to the presence of the target, particularly when cues were invalid. They were also impaired, relative to controls, on visual search tasks.

CONCLUSIONS: We have provided experimental evidence for ME/CFS-related difficulties in directing visual attention. These findings support the subjective reports of those with ME/CFS and could represent a potential means to improve diagnosis.

 

Source: Hutchinson CV, Badham SP. Patterns of abnormal visual attention in myalgic encephalomyelitis. Optom Vis Sci. 2013 Jun;90(6):607-14. doi: 10.1097/OPX.0b013e318294c232. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23689679