Memory deficits associated with chronic fatigue immune dysfunction syndrome

Abstract

Performance on tests of memory in 39 patients who met Center for Disease Control (CDC) criteria for chronic fatigue immune dysfunction syndrome (CFIDS) was compared with 23 depressed patients (DSM-III-R) and 129 healthy controls. Although the CFIDS patients had normal neuropsychological profiles, they significantly overestimated their ability (metamemory), performed significantly worse on tests of recall as context increased (e.g., recognition), made more errors when rehearsal was prevented, and had delayed mental scanning as memory load increased. The overall pattern indicated that CFIDS patients had a significant memory deficit, far worse than implied by CDC criteria. The pattern for CFIDS patients was consistent with temporal-limbic dysfunction and significantly different than depressed patients and control subjects.

Neuropsychological functioning, illness perception, mood and quality of life in chronic fatigue syndrome, autoimmune thyroid disease and healthy participants

“…This finding therefore supports those of other authors who have also provided objective evidence for poor attention within the CFS population (McDonald et al 1993 ;Ray et al 1993 ;Sandman et al 1993 ;Cope et al 1995 ;Marshall et al 1997 ;Johnson et al 1998). The impairment the CFS group showed in attention was not accounted for by differences in mood.…”

Neurobiological aspects of the chronic fatigue syndrome

“…Specific deficits were noted only on tests of complex visual reproduction. Most unusually patients per-formed worse in cued situations, also noted elsewhere [65]. Grafman and colleagues concluded that neuropsychological deficits in CFS are relatively modest, and correlate with measures of affect [60].…”

Neurocognitive functioning in chronic fatigue syndrome

“…In contrast to Riccio et al (1992) and Sandman et al (1993), other investigators have concluded the cognitive abilities of CFS patients are not significantly impaired. Schmaling et al (1994), compared the performance of a group of CFS patients to published norms and to a control group comprised of physically healthy depressed patients.…”