Health Rising’s Cognition Resource hub contains 3 new papers with useful information about cognitive problems in ME.
- Cognition and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS): Key Findings and Seminal Papers- The what, where and why of the thinking problems found in ME/CFS, by Cort Johnson
Introduction:
This paper attempts to identify seminal papers regarding cognition or the ability to think well in chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). It covers what researcher studies tell us about cognitive problems in ME/CFS; what they are, how serious they are and what might be causing them.
Cognitive Issues
Many people with ME/CFS complain that they aren’t able to think or speak as well as before they became ill. Just how cognitively challenged people with ME/CFS are is a bit controversial but over time a pretty clear consensus has emerged regarding the cognitive challenges the group as a whole faces.
It’s important to remember that these findings reflect studies looking at the ME/CFS population as a whole, and might not reflect any one individual’s experiences.
Dr. Lange highlighted some of the common problems people with ME/CFS have in a 2010 Solve ME/CFS Initiative Webinar
- Needing to read the same paragraph over and over again to understand it
- Speaking sentences that defy the rules of grammar and logic
- Agonizing decision-making processes
- Heretofore easy to understand conversations taking on an almost algebraic difficulty Read more
2. Dr. Lapp On The Cognitive Problems In Chronic Fatigue Syndrome And What To Do About Them
Improving Cognition in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia Supplements
- Carnitine – Dr. Lapp confirms that carnitine (1000 mg/day) can help with thinking, concentration and memory. Acetyl-carnitine increases glutathione levels (reduced in brains of ME/CFS patients), increases brain blood flow (reduced in ME/CFS), ATP production, and acetylcholine activity.
- Gingko Biloba – can increase brain blood flows – again, a documented problem in ME/CFS.
- Phosphatidyl serine (PS) – brain PS levels are associated with normal nervous system signaling, glucose consumption and other factors important in brain functioning.
- B-12 – methylcobalamin 1000mcg to 5000mcg daily / methylfolate (400mcg daily)
- Procera AVH (acetyl-carnitine + vinpocetine+ huperzine) – Derived from the periwinkle flower, vinpocetine increases cerebral blood flows, and, according to Procera’s manufacturers, has been shown to increase memory and brain processing speed – both of which are impaired in ME/CFS.
- Vinpocetine also is an anti-oxidant/neuro-protective agent, and can increase glucose metabolism (energy levels) in the brain. Derived from Chinese Club Moss, huperzine A (HUP) increases the levels of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine in the brain, and is an antioxidant.
Dr Lapp goes on to discuss prescription drugs which may help. Read more
3. Cognition and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS): Blogs and Videos – What’s going with cognition and ME/CFS
