Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and the Brain

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), affecting as many as four in 1,000 people, is little understood by researchers. For years, health officials denied its existence, dismissing it as a sign of mental illness. However, recent research suggests mold-producing toxins could likely be a cause — or trigger — of CFS. The symptoms of CFS include impaired memory and concentration, extreme fatigue after exercise, muscle and joint pain and unrefreshing sleep. In a recent study published in the journal Radiology, researchers from Stanford University used fMRI technology along with a technique called diffusion tensor imaging (which helps researchers and doctors examine microscopic properties of brain tissues) to compare the brains of 15 CFS patients and a control group of 14 healthy participants. Results of the study showed that the CFS patients had generally less white matter in their brains compared to the healthy participants. The findings from the study could help physicians diagnose severe cases of CFS and may help researchers better understand the syndrome’s origins. To read more about this study, click here.