Cognitive dysfunction: Difference between revisions

From MEpedia, a crowd-sourced encyclopedia of ME and CFS science and history
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* [https://cft.foodforthebrain.org/ Food For The Brain - Cognitive Function Test]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://cft.foodforthebrain.org/|title=Cognitive Function Test|website=cft.foodforthebrain.org|access-date=2018-08-28}}</ref>
* [https://cft.foodforthebrain.org/ Food For The Brain - Cognitive Function Test]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://cft.foodforthebrain.org/|title=Cognitive Function Test|website=cft.foodforthebrain.org|access-date=2018-08-28}}</ref>
* [http://www.dysautonomiainternational.org/blog/wordpress/cognitive-dysfunction-and-brain-fog-in-pots/ Cognitive Dysfunction and “Brain Fog” in POTS]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.dysautonomiainternational.org/blog/wordpress/cognitive-dysfunction-and-brain-fog-in-pots/|title=Cognitive Dysfunction and “Brain Fog” in POTS {{!}} The Dysautonomia Dispatch|last=Arnold|first=Amy|date=Feb 3, 2016|website=www.dysautonomiainternational.org|language=en-US|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=2018-08-28}}</ref>
* [http://www.dysautonomiainternational.org/blog/wordpress/cognitive-dysfunction-and-brain-fog-in-pots/ Cognitive Dysfunction and “Brain Fog” in POTS]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.dysautonomiainternational.org/blog/wordpress/cognitive-dysfunction-and-brain-fog-in-pots/|title=Cognitive Dysfunction and “Brain Fog” in POTS {{!}} The Dysautonomia Dispatch|last=Arnold|first=Amy|date=Feb 3, 2016|website=www.dysautonomiainternational.org|language=en-US|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=2018-08-28}}</ref>
[[Brian Vastag]] was able to prove with [[qEEG]] and cognitive tests he had "significant problems with [[Visual dysfunction|visual perception]] and analysis, scanning speed, attention, visual motor coordination, motor and mental speed, [[Memory problems|memory]], and [[Word-finding problems|verbal fluency]]" winning his long term disability (LTD) claim.<ref name=":03">{{Cite web|url=https://www.meaction.net/2018/06/04/victory-for-me-disability-claim-court-upholds-plaintiffs-lawsuit-after-being-denied-disability/|title=Victory for ME Disability Claim - U.S. Court Upholds Plaintiff's Lawsuit After Being Denied Disability|last=Tillman|first=Adriane|authorlink=|last2=|first2=|authorlink2=|date=2018-06-04|website=#MEAction|language=en-US|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=2019-02-02}}</ref>
==Notable studies==
==Notable studies==
*2001, Neuropsychological functioning in chronic fatigue syndrome: a review. ([[pubmed:11167310|Abstract]])<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Michiels|first=V.|last2=Cluydts|first2=R.|date=2001|title=Neuropsychological functioning in chronic fatigue syndrome: a review|url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11167310|journal=Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica|volume=103|issue=2|pages=84–93|issn=0001-690X|pmid=11167310|via=}}</ref>  
*2001, Neuropsychological functioning in chronic fatigue syndrome: a review. ([[pubmed:11167310|Abstract]])<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Michiels|first=V.|last2=Cluydts|first2=R.|date=2001|title=Neuropsychological functioning in chronic fatigue syndrome: a review|url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11167310|journal=Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica|volume=103|issue=2|pages=84–93|issn=0001-690X|pmid=11167310|via=}}</ref>  
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*[https://mpkb.org/home/symptoms/neurological/cognitive Cognitive dysfunction (brain fog)]<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://mpkb.org/home/symptoms/neurological/cognitive|title=Cognitive dysfunction (brain fog) (MPKB)|website=mpkb.org|language=en|access-date=2018-08-28}}</ref>
*[https://mpkb.org/home/symptoms/neurological/cognitive Cognitive dysfunction (brain fog)]<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://mpkb.org/home/symptoms/neurological/cognitive|title=Cognitive dysfunction (brain fog) (MPKB)|website=mpkb.org|language=en|access-date=2018-08-28}}</ref>
<blockquote>According to the Marshall Pathogenesis, cognitive dysfunction is caused by [[microbe]]<nowiki/>s. More severe forms of cognitive dysfunction are seen in diseases such as [[Alzheimer's]], diseases for which there is strong evidence of a [[bacteria]]<nowiki/>l etiology. Often associated with [[chronic fatigue syndrome]],<sup>1)</sup> cognitive dysfunction is also seen in patients with [[multiple sclerosis]],<sup>2)</sup> [[depression]],<sup>3)</sup>  [[fibromyalgia]],<sup>4)</sup> and dozens of others diseases.<ref name=":0" /></blockquote>
<blockquote>According to the Marshall Pathogenesis, cognitive dysfunction is caused by [[microbe]]<nowiki/>s. More severe forms of cognitive dysfunction are seen in diseases such as [[Alzheimer's]], diseases for which there is strong evidence of a [[bacteria]]<nowiki/>l etiology. Often associated with [[chronic fatigue syndrome]],<sup>1)</sup> cognitive dysfunction is also seen in patients with [[multiple sclerosis]],<sup>2)</sup> [[depression]],<sup>3)</sup>  [[fibromyalgia]],<sup>4)</sup> and dozens of others diseases.<ref name=":0" /></blockquote>
* Jun 4, 2018, [https://www.meaction.net/2018/06/04/victory-for-me-disability-claim-court-upholds-plaintiffs-lawsuit-after-being-denied-disability/ Victory For ME Disability Claim – U.S. Court Upholds Plaintiff's Lawsuit After Being Denied Disability]<ref name=":03" />
* Jun 4, 2018, [https://www.meaction.net/2018/06/04/victory-for-me-disability-claim-court-upholds-plaintiffs-lawsuit-after-being-denied-disability/ Victory For ME Disability Claim – U.S. Court Upholds Plaintiff's Lawsuit After Being Denied Disability]<ref name=":03">{{Cite web|url=https://www.meaction.net/2018/06/04/victory-for-me-disability-claim-court-upholds-plaintiffs-lawsuit-after-being-denied-disability/|title=Victory for ME Disability Claim - U.S. Court Upholds Plaintiff's Lawsuit After Being Denied Disability|last=Tillman|first=Adriane|authorlink=|last2=|first2=|authorlink2=|date=2018-06-04|website=#MEAction|language=en-US|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=2019-02-02}}</ref>
:[[Brian Vastag]] was able to prove with [[qEEG]] and cognitive tests he had "significant problems with [[Visual dysfunction|visual perception]] and analysis, scanning speed, attention, visual motor coordination, motor and mental speed, [[Memory problems|memory]], and [[Word-finding problems|verbal fluency]]" winning his long term disability (LTD) claim.<ref name=":03" />


==See also==
==See also==

Revision as of 02:27, February 3, 2019

Cognitive dysfunction is a constant struggle for most ME/CFS patients and they often describe it as "brain fog".[1] It is also a symptom of fibromyalgia and patients refer to it as "fibro fog".[2]

Cognitive dysfunction in ME/CFS can take many different forms. Cognitive issues commonly observed in ME/CFS include attention deficit, auditory sequencing problems, brain fog, concentration problems, difficulty comprehending social cues, dyscalculia, dyslexia, executive function problems, linguistics reversals, memory loss, multi-tasking problems, planning problems, receptive language problems, slowed thought, spatial disorientation, word-finding problems,[citation needed] cognitive overload, slow processing of information and poor working memory.[3]


Exercise and Cognitive Dysfunction[edit | edit source]

A healthy person becomes more alert after exercise, but people with ME/CFS find their cognitive difficulties increase, they become much slower at mental activities, and cognitive tasks seem to take extra effort.[3]

Prevalence[edit | edit source]

Symptom recognition[edit | edit source]

Mandatory

Cognitive dysfunction is a mandatory symptom to diagnose ME/CFS with the Canadian Consensus Criteria (CCC).[4].

Optional

Cognitive dysfunction is an optional symptom in Systemic Exertion Intolerance Disease (SEID) criteria[5] and the International Consensus Criteria (ICC) which diagnoses myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME).[6]

Diagnosis[edit | edit source]

Notable studies[edit | edit source]

  • 2001, Neuropsychological functioning in chronic fatigue syndrome: a review. (Abstract)[10]
  • 2006, Cognitive dysfunction relates to subjective report of mental fatigue in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome[11] (Full text)
  • 2015, Less efficient and costly processes of frontal cortex in childhood chronic fatigue syndrome[12] (Full Text)
  • 2016, Cognitive Dysfunction in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: a Review of Recent Evidence[13] (Abstract)
  • 2016, qEEG / LORETA in Assessment of Neurocognitive Impairment in a Patient with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Case Report[14] (Full Text)

Our case study confirmed the pattern of dysregulation in the cortex reviewed in the introduction. Furthermore, since both periods of phase shift/lock durations were found to be significantly shorter, that might contribute to an increased rate of phase reset, also seen in our data. Phase reset deregulation--phase locking periods being too brief and phase reset happening too often—appear to be consistent with the associated lower rate of information processing and reaction times found in the ME and CFS literature. These deregulated states represent the brain during nonoptimal functioning, rendering it inefficient for most types of information processing functioning, whether it is executive functioning, memory, perceptual reasoning or information processing speed. When phase lock is significantly less than normal, as in this data set, the ability of the brain to sustain commitment of resources to mediate different functions is severely compromised. Phase shift duration in this data is also hypoactive, meaning that significantly less neurons are being recruited to perform a function than normal. The results here indicate slowed verbal comprehension, executive functions, perceptual reasoning, processing speed and memory, the sum total of which is known as cognitive impairment.[14]

Figure 1: Results of LORETA current source density in a case with CFS showing widespread decreased current density for delta at 2 Hz and beta (12- 15 Hz) demonstrating a global reduction in brain functioning (blue). The higher frequencies (beta) have been shown to be a function of delta frequencies. In other words, local oscillations are under constant influence of global brain dynamics (Buzsaki, 2006).[14]

Possible causes[edit | edit source]

Mady Hornig has found evidence in the cerebral spinal fluid of ME/CFS patients that may explain their cognitive dysfunction.[15]

Potential treatments[edit | edit source]

Learn more[edit | edit source]

According to the Marshall Pathogenesis, cognitive dysfunction is caused by microbes. More severe forms of cognitive dysfunction are seen in diseases such as Alzheimer's, diseases for which there is strong evidence of a bacterial etiology. Often associated with chronic fatigue syndrome,1) cognitive dysfunction is also seen in patients with multiple sclerosis,2) depression,3) fibromyalgia,4) and dozens of others diseases.[19]

Brian Vastag was able to prove with qEEG and cognitive tests he had "significant problems with visual perception and analysis, scanning speed, attention, visual motor coordination, motor and mental speed, memory, and verbal fluency" winning his long term disability (LTD) claim.[20]

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. Dellwo, Adrienne (June 29, 2018). "Living with a Foggy Brain from Fibromyalgia or ME/CFS". Verywell Health. Retrieved August 10, 2018. Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)
  2. Dellwo, Adrienne (February 28, 2018). "What Is Fibro Fog and ME/CFS Brain Fog?". Verywell Health. Retrieved August 10, 2018. Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)
  3. 3.0 3.1 Carruthers, Bruce M.; van de Sande, Marjorie I.; De Meirleir, Kenny L.; Klimas, Nancy G.; Broderick, Gordon; Mitchell, Terry; Staines, Donald; Powles, A. C. Peter; Speight, Nigel; Vallings, Rosamund; Bateman, Lucinda; Baumgarten-Austrheim, Barbara; Bell, David; Carlo-Stella, Nicoletta; Chia, John; Darragh, Austin; Jo, Daehyun; Lewis, Donald; Light, Alan; Marshall-Gradisnik, Sonya; Mena, Ismael; Mikovits, Judy; Miwa, Kunihisa; Murovska, Modra; Pall, Martin; Stevens, Staci (August 22, 2011). "Myalgic encephalomyelitis: International Consensus Criteria". Journal of Internal Medicine. 270 (4): 327–338. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2796.2011.02428.x. ISSN 0954-6820. PMC 3427890. PMID 21777306.
  4. "Canadian Consensus Criteria - MEpedia". me-pedia.org. Retrieved August 10, 2018.
  5. "Systemic Exertion Intolerance Disease - MEpedia". me-pedia.org. Retrieved August 10, 2018.
  6. "International Consensus Criteria - MEpedia". me-pedia.org. Retrieved August 10, 2018.
  7. "Mild cognitive impairment - Diagnosis and treatment - Mayo Clinic". www.mayoclinic.org. Retrieved August 28, 2018.
  8. "Cognitive Function Test". cft.foodforthebrain.org. Retrieved August 28, 2018.
  9. Arnold, Amy (February 3, 2016). "Cognitive Dysfunction and "Brain Fog" in POTS | The Dysautonomia Dispatch". www.dysautonomiainternational.org. Retrieved August 28, 2018. Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)
  10. Michiels, V.; Cluydts, R. (2001). "Neuropsychological functioning in chronic fatigue syndrome: a review". Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica. 103 (2): 84–93. ISSN 0001-690X. PMID 11167310.
  11. Capuron, Lucile; Welberg, Leonie; Heim, Christine; Wagner, Dieter; Solomon, Laura; Papanicolaou, Dimitris A; Craddock, R Cameron; Miller, Andrew H; Reeves, William C (2006), "Cognitive Dysfunction Relates to Subjective Report of Mental Fatigue in Patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome", Neuropsychopharmacology, 31: 1777–1784, doi:10.1038/sj.npp.1301005
  12. Mizuno, Kei; Tanaka, Masaaki; Tanabe, Hiroki C.; Joudoi, Takako; Kawatani, Junko; Shigihara, Yoshihito; Tomoda, Akemi; Miike, Teruhisa; Imai-Matsumura, Kyoko (September 10, 2015). "Less efficient and costly processes of frontal cortex in childhood chronic fatigue syndrome". NeuroImage : Clinical. 9: 355–368. doi:10.1016/j.nicl.2015.09.001. ISSN 2213-1582. PMID 26594619.
  13. Cvejic E;Birch RC;Vollmer-Conna U, 2016, 'Cognitive Dysfunction in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: a Review of Recent Evidence', Current Rheumatology Reports, vol. 18, http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11926-016-0577-9
  14. 14.0 14.1 14.2 dr.marcie.zinn@gmail.com, Zinn ML, DePaul University, Center for Community Research, Chicago, IL, Tel/ Fax: (773) 325-4923; E-mail:; Zinn, Mark A.; Jason, Leonard (2016). "qEEG / LORETA in Assessment of Neurocognitive Impairment in a Patient with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Case Report". www.sciforschenonline.org. SciForschen. doi:10.16966/2469-6714.110. ISSN 2469-6714. Retrieved August 28, 2018. Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link)
  15. "Scientists find clues into cognitive dysfunction in chronic fatigue syndrome". ScienceDaily. March 31, 2015. Retrieved August 10, 2018. Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)
  16. "Dr. Gudrun Lange Reviews Neuropsychological Testing for CFS and FM". www.massmecfs.org. November 20, 2015. Retrieved August 10, 2018. Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)
  17. M, Beth (February 7, 2016). "Case Study: "Brain Fog" in CFS can be seen in qEEG/Loreta - #MEAction". #MEAction. Retrieved August 28, 2018. Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)
  18. Pena, Amy (March 21, 2018). "Fibromyalgia Study Identifies Main Types of Patients' Cognitive Dysfunction". Fibromyalgia News Today. Retrieved August 28, 2018. Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)
  19. 19.0 19.1 "Cognitive dysfunction (brain fog) (MPKB)". mpkb.org. Retrieved August 28, 2018.
  20. 20.0 20.1 Tillman, Adriane (June 4, 2018). "Victory for ME Disability Claim - U.S. Court Upholds Plaintiff's Lawsuit After Being Denied Disability". #MEAction. Retrieved February 2, 2019. Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)