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CDC’s Dr. Reeves Quantifies Altered Cognitive Function in ME/CFS

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Dr. William Reeves from the CDC conducted a study to test measured deficits in working memory and motor response in ME/CFS that is not associated with psychiatric and psychological problems.

The objective of the study was to examine the neuropsychological function characterized in subjects with chronic fatigue syndrome at the same time controlling for relevant confounding factors. Neuropsychology addresses relationships between brain structure & function, information processing, behavior.

Method:

  • CFS subjects (n = 58) and well controls (n = 104) from a population-based sample were evaluated, using standardized symptom severity criteria.
  • Subjects who had major psychiatric disorders or took medications known to influence cognition were excluded.
  • Neuropsychological function was measured using the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB). [A set of computer-administered tests to examine different components of cognitive function.]

    • Results: Compared with controls:

  • CFS subjects exhibited significant decreases in motor speed as measured in the simple and five-choice movement segments of the CANTAB reaction time task.
  • CFS subjects also exhibited alterations in working memory as manifested by a less efficient search strategy on the spatial working memory task, fewer % correct responses on the spatial recognition task, and prolonged latency to a correct response on the pattern recognition task.A significantly higher percentage of CFS subjects versus controls exhibited evidence of neuropsychological impairment (defined by performance 1 standard deviation below the CANTAB normative mean) in tasks of motor speed and spatial working memory. Impairment in CFS subjects versus control subjects ranged from 20% versus 4.8% in five-choice movement time (p = .002) to 27.8% versus 10.6% in search strategy on the spatial working memory task (p = .006).Conclusions: These results confirm and quantify alterations in motor speed and working memory in CFS subjects independent of comorbid psychiatric disease and medication usage.

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