Brain link to fatigue syndrome

May 4, 2002

More confirmation for . It's nice to see that other researchers are

confirming brain bloodflow abnormalities. They also mention how this alters

gastrointestinal function.

Cheryl

Source: Sydney Morning Herald

Date: May 4, 2002

Author: Robotham, Medical Writer

Brain link to fatigue syndrome

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An area of the brain that controls the stomach receives substantially less

blood in some people with chronic fatigue syndrome, a study shows. The

finding adds more weight to the argument that the controversial illness is

biological, not psychological.

Brain scans of 40 chronic fatigue patients were carried out by Adelaide

scientists and compared against the scans of healthy people. The director of

nuclear medicine at Queen Hospital, Dr Unger, who headed

the study along with neurologist Dr Rey Casse, said: " There was a very

strong change in cerebral blood flow in patients. "

The study showed a reduction in blood flow to the brain's insula cortex,

which governs the smooth muscle in the gut. Unexplained stomach and bowel

symptoms are common complaints for chronic fatigue patients.

The findings also showed a 20 per cent reduction in blood flow to the left

lateral temporal lobe, which controls access to words, in younger chronic

fatigue patients. Severe sufferers often experience difficulty expressing

themselves.

In separate research, endocrinologist Dr Burnett, of the Royal

Adelaide Hospital, has shown that chronic fatigue patients who report

gastric symptoms empty fluid from their guts at less than half the speed of

people who are well.

" Talking to patients, about half of them have some kind of [gut symptoms],

such as abdominal bloating after eating a small meal, " he said. " A delay in

liquids means a central problem. It comes from the brain. "

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