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Neuropsychological deficits in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 March 2004

KIM BUSICHIO ,
LANA A. TIERSKY ,
JOHN DELUCA  and
BENJAMIN H. NATELSON
KIM BUSICHIO
Affiliation:
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Center, Newark, New Jersey Fairleigh Dickinson University, School of Psychology, Teaneck, New Jersey Department of Neurosciences, UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey
LANA A. TIERSKY
Affiliation:
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Center, Newark, New Jersey Fairleigh Dickinson University, School of Psychology, Teaneck, New Jersey Kessler Medical Research, Rehabilitation and Education Corporation, West Orange, New Jersey Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey
JOHN DELUCA
Affiliation:
Fairleigh Dickinson University, School of Psychology, Teaneck, New Jersey Department of Neurosciences, UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey Kessler Medical Research, Rehabilitation and Education Corporation, West Orange, New Jersey Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey
BENJAMIN H. NATELSON
Affiliation:
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Center, Newark, New Jersey Department of Neurosciences, UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey
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Abstract

The degree of neuropsychological dysfunction across multiple domains was examined in individuals suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). In this descriptive study, a similar series of neuropsychological tests was administered to a group of CFS patients and healthy participants. More specifically, CFS patients (n = 141) who met the 1994 Case Definition criteria were compared to 76 healthy control participants on tests of memory, attention (concentration), speed of information processing, motor speed, and executive functioning. On the 18 measures administered, CFS patients scored 1 standard deviation below the healthy mean on nine measures and scored 2 standard deviations below the healthy mean on four of the measures. Moreover, results indicated that CFS patients were more likely than healthy controls to fail (1.6 SD below the healthy mean) at least one test in each of the following domains: attention, speed of information processing, and motor speed, but not on measures of memory and executive functioning. Finally, CFS patients demonstrated a greater total number of tests failed across domains. (JINS, 2004, 10, 278–285.)

Keywords

Chronic fatigueNeuropsychological deficitsNeuropsychological dysfunction
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society , Volume 10 , Issue 2 , March 2004 , pp. 278 - 285
Copyright
© 2004 The International Neuropsychological Society

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