Busichio, Kim, Tiersky, Lana A, Deluca, John et al. · Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society : JINS · 2004 · DOI
This study tested how thinking and memory work in people with ME/CFS compared to healthy people. Researchers gave 141 ME/CFS patients and 76 healthy volunteers a series of brain function tests. They found that ME/CFS patients performed noticeably worse on tests measuring attention, processing speed, and motor skills, with some showing significant difficulties across multiple areas.
This study provides objective neuropsychological evidence that cognitive and motor difficulties in ME/CFS are measurable and widespread, validating patient-reported cognitive symptoms. These findings support the recognition of ME/CFS as affecting brain function and can help clinicians understand the specific cognitive domains most affected.
This cross-sectional study cannot establish causation or whether neuropsychological deficits are caused by the ME/CFS disease process, deconditioning, medication effects, or other factors. It does not determine whether these deficits worsen over time, improve with treatment, or remain stable. The study cannot explain the underlying biological mechanisms causing these cognitive changes.
About the PEM badge: “PEM required” means post-exertional malaise was an explicit required diagnostic criterion for participant inclusion in this study — not that PEM was studied, observed, or discussed. Studies using criteria that do not require PEM (e.g. Fukuda, Oxford) are tagged “PEM not required”. How the atlas works →
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