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'''Brain fog''' manifests as [[Memory problems|impaired working memory]] and concentration accompanied by difficulty processing complex information.<ref name="solve">{{Cite web |url =https://solvecfs.org/research/solve-me-cfs-initiative-science-discovery-program-for-researchers/brain-fog-in-cfs-whats-going-on/ | title = Brain Fog in ME/CFS: What's Going On? - Solve ME/CFS Initiative|work=Solve ME/CFS Initiative | access-date = 2018-08-10|language=en-US}}</ref> It is a type of [[cognitive impairment]] experienced by [[ME/CFS]] patients. [[Fibromyalgia]] patients often refer to it as "fibro fog".<ref name=":2">{{Cite book | title = Mayo Clinic Guide to Fibromyalgia: Strategies to Take Back Your Life | page = 69|isbn=978-1-893005-49-5|edition==|language=en | url = https://books.google.com/books/about/Mayo_Clinic_Guide_to_Fibromyalgia.html?id=NYurDwAAQBAJ|access-date= | date = 2019-09-24| publisher = Simon and Schuster | last = Abril | first = Andy | author-link = | last2 = Bruce | first2 = Barbara K. | author-link2 = |veditors=|others=|doi=|oclc=|quote=|archive-url=|archive-date=|location=|editor-last = |editor-first = | editor1-link = |editor-last2 = |editor-first2 = }}</ref> ==Causes== Brain fog is a common symptom of [[Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome]], but can also be caused - or linked to - other illnesses: *during chemotherapy, the mild cognitive impairment is often called "chemo brain" or "chemo fog"<ref>{{Cite book | title = The Chemotherapy Survival Guide: Everything You Need to Know to Get Through Treatment | pages = 163|isbn=978-1-57224-621-8|edition= | volume = |language=en| title-link = | url = https://books.google.com/books/about/The_Chemotherapy_Survival_Guide.html?id=guerk0-cM8sC|access-date= | date = May 2009| publisher = New Harbinger Publications | last = McKay | first = Judith | author-link = | last2 = Schacher | first2 = Tamera | author-link2 = |veditors=|others=|doi=|oclc=|quote=|archive-url=|archive-date=|location=|editor-last = |editor-first = | editor1-link = |editor-last2 = |editor-first2 = }}</ref> *[[depression]] - concentration problems may be described as brain fog<ref>{{Cite book | title = The Neurologic Diagnosis: A Practical Bedside Approach | pages = 50|isbn=978-3-319-95951-1|edition= | volume = |language=en| title-link = | url = https://books.google.com/books/about/The_Neurologic_Diagnosis.html?id=pD18DwAAQBAJ|access-date= | date = 2018-11-27| publisher = Springer | last = Alpert | first = Jack N. | author-link = |veditors=|others=|doi=|oclc=|quote=|archive-url=|archive-date=|location=|editor-last = |editor-first = | editor1-link = |editor-last2 = |editor-first2 = }}</ref> *[[Ehlers-Danlos syndrome]] (EDS) patients may use the term brain fog to refer to the "inability to focus and maintain concentration" that is common in people with EDS, although ME/CFS is also common in people with EDS<ref>{{Cite book | title = Sleep Disorders in Neurology: A Practical Approach | pages = 4|isbn=978-1-118-77726-8|edition= | volume = |language=en| title-link = | url = https://books.google.com/books/about/Sleep_Disorders_in_Neurology.html?id=yH1gDwAAQBAJ|access-date= | date = 2018-09-24| publisher = John Wiley & Sons | last = Overeem | first = Sebastiaan | author-link = | last2 = Reading | first2 = Paul | author-link2 = |veditors=|others=|doi=|oclc=|quote=|archive-url=|archive-date=|location=|editor-last = |editor-first = | editor1-link = |editor-last2 = |editor-first2 = }}</ref> *the endocrine disorder hypoparathyroidism, which also causes mood problems<ref>{{Cite book | title = Metabolic Bone Diseases: A Case-Based Approach|isbn=978-3-030-03694-2|language=en | url =https://books.google.com/books/about/Metabolic_Bone_Diseases.html?id=QcuJDwAAQBAJ | date = 2019-02-22| publisher = Springer | last = Camacho | first = Pauline M.}}</ref> *brain fog is common in people with [[fibromyalgia]], and is often referred to as "fibro fog"<ref name=":2" /> *[[Non-celiac gluten sensitivity|gluten sensitivity]]<ref>{{Cite book | title = Nutritional Management of Gastrointestinal Disease, an Issue of Gastroenterology Clinics of North America | pages = 141|isbn=978-0-323-58155-4|edition= | volume = |language=en| title-link = | url = https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=Tt3WDwAAQBAJ&lpg=PA141&pg=PA142|access-date= | date = 2018-02-07| publisher = Elsevier Health Sciences | last = Ukleja | first = Andrew | author-link = |veditors=|others=|doi=|oclc=|quote=|archive-url=|archive-date=|location=|editor-last = |editor-first = | editor1-link = |editor-last2 = |editor-first2 = }}</ref> or celiac disease<ref>{{Cite book | title = Clinical Manual of Psychopharmacology in the Medically | pages = 142|isbn=978-1-58562-501-7|edition=2nd | volume = III|language=en| title-link = | url = https://books.google.com/books/about/Clinical_Manual_of_Psychopharmacology_in.html?id=buRGDQAAQBAJ|access-date= | date = 2016-10-18| publisher = American Psychiatric Pub | last = Levenson | first = James L. | author-link = | last2 = Ferrando | first2 = Stephen J. | author-link2 = |veditors=|others=|doi=|oclc=|quote=|archive-url=|archive-date=|location=|editor-last = |editor-first = | editor1-link = |editor-last2 = |editor-first2 = }}</ref> *[[Hepatitis C|hepatitis C virus]]<ref>{{Cite book | title = Hepatitis C Virus II: Infection and Disease | pages = 168|isbn=978-4-431-56101-9|edition= | volume = |language=en| title-link = | url = https://books.google.com/books/about/Hepatitis_C_Virus_II.html?id=YOlmDQAAQBAJ|access-date= | date = 2016-10-28| publisher = Springer | last = Miyamura | first = Tatsuo | author-link = | last2 = Lemon | first2 = Stanley M. | author-link2 = | last3 = Walker | first3 = Christopher M. | author-link3 = | last4 = Wakita | first4 = Takaji | author-link4 = |veditors=|others=|doi=|oclc=|quote=|archive-url=|archive-date=|location=|editor-last = |editor-first = | editor1-link = |editor-last2 = |editor-first2 = }}</ref> *[[hypocalcemia]] - low levels of [[calcium]] in the blood, which also causes [[fatigue]] and many other symptoms<ref>{{Cite book | title = CURRENT Medical Diagnosis and Treatment 2020 | pages = 915,1169|isbn=978-1-260-45529-8|edition=59 | volume = |language=en| title-link = | url = https://books.google.com/books/about/CURRENT_Medical_Diagnosis_and_Treatment.html?id=fy2sDwAAQBAJ&lpg=PA1169|access-date= | date = 2019-09-09| publisher = McGraw Hill Professional | last = Papadakis | first = Maxine A. | author-link = | last2 = McPhee | first2 = Stephen J. | author-link2 = | last3 = Rabow | first3 = Michael W. | author-link3 = |veditors=|others=|doi=|oclc=|quote=|archive-url=|archive-date=|location=|editor-last = |editor-first = | editor1-link = |editor-last2 = |editor-first2 = }}</ref> *brain fog may be described by people with [[Ehlers-Danlos syndrome]] (EDS) as the "inability to focus and maintain concentration" that common in people with EDS, although ME/CFS is also common in people with EDS<ref>{{Cite book | title = Sleep Disorders in Neurology: A Practical Approach | pages = 4|isbn=978-1-118-77726-8|edition= | volume = |language=en| title-link = | url = https://books.google.com/books/about/Sleep_Disorders_in_Neurology.html?id=yH1gDwAAQBAJ|access-date= | date = 2018-09-24| publisher = John Wiley & Sons | last = Overeem | first = Sebastiaan | author-link = | last2 = Reading | first2 = Paul | author-link2 = |veditors=|others=|doi=|oclc=|quote=|archive-url=|archive-date=|location=|editor-last = |editor-first = | editor1-link = |editor-last2 = |editor-first2 = }}</ref> *[[Lyme disease]] patients may use the term brain fog to describe an impairment in thinking<ref>{{Cite book | title = National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH: Volume 2: Impact on Global Health|isbn=978-1-60327-297-1|language=en | url =https://books.google.com/books/about/National_Institute_of_Allergy_and_Infect.html?id=pymSBkVU-FsC | date = 2009-07-06| publisher = Springer Science & Business Media | last = Georgiev | first = Vassil St}}</ref> *[[postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome]] (POTS) or other forms of [[orthostatic intolerance]] cause brain fog, "impaired cognition" and many other symptoms occur when a person stands or moves to an upright position<ref>{{Cite book | title = Case Studies in Neurology, An Issue of Neurologic Clinics | pages = 538|isbn=978-0-323-45980-8|edition= | volume = |language=en| title-link = | url = https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=8EHUDAAAQBAJ&lpg=PA538&pg=PA539#v=onepage&f=false|access-date= | date = 2016-08-02| publisher = Elsevier Health Sciences | last = Evans | first = Randolph W. | author-link = |veditors=|others=|doi=|oclc=|quote=|archive-url=|archive-date=|location=|editor-last = |editor-first = | editor1-link = |editor-last2 = |editor-first2 = }}</ref><ref>{{Cite book | title = Clinical Autonomic and Mitochondrial Disorders: Diagnosis, Prevention, and Treatment for Mind-Body Wellness | pages = 515|isbn=978-3-030-17016-5|edition= | volume = |language=en| title-link = | url = https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=5OOmDwAAQBAJ&lpg=PA515&pg=PA516#v=onepage&f=false|access-date= | date = 2019-08-01| publisher = Springer | last = DePace | first = Nicholas L. | author-link = | last2 = Colombo | first2 = Joseph | author-link2 = |veditors=|others=|doi=|oclc=|quote=|archive-url=|archive-date=|location=|editor-last = |editor-first = | editor1-link = |editor-last2 = |editor-first2 = }}</ref> *brain fog may be used to describe memory impairment resulting from concussion or traumatic brain injury<ref>{{Cite book | title = Merritt's Neurology|isbn=978-1-4963-2107-7|language=en | url =https://books.google.com/books/about/Merritt_s_Neurology.html?id=5Kp3CgAAQBAJ | date = 2015-08-31| publisher = Lippincott Williams & Wilkins | last = Louis | first = Elan D. | last2 = Mayer | first2 = Stephan A. | last3 = Rowland | first3 = Lewis P.}}</ref> *sarcoidosis-associated brain fog, which also causes fatigue<ref>{{Cite book | title = International Neurology | page = 97 | isbn=978-1-118-77736-7|edition= | volume = |language=en| title-link = | url = https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=mRl6DAAAQBAJ&lpg=PA97&pg=PA97#v=onepage&f=false|access-date= | date = 2016-06-13 | publisher = John Wiley & Sons | last = Lisak | first = Robert P. | author-link = | last2 = Truong | first2 = Daniel D. | author-link2 = | last3 = Carroll | first3 = William M. | author-link3 = | last4 = Bhidayasiri | first4 = Roongroj | author-link4 = |veditors=|others=|doi=|oclc=|quote=|archive-url=|archive-date=|location=|editor-last = |editor-first = | editor1-link = }}</ref> *[[Sjögren's syndrome]]<ref>{{Cite book | title = Rheumatology | pages = 304|isbn=978-0-7020-6303-9|edition= | volume = |language=en| title-link = | url = https://books.google.com/books/about/Rheumatology.html?id=WCmhAwAAQBAJ|access-date= | date = 2014-06-24| publisher = Elsevier Health Sciences | last = Hochberg | first = Marc C. | author-link = | last2 = Silman | first2 = Alan J. | author-link2 = | last3 = Smolen | first3 = Josef S. | author-link3 = | last4 = Weinblatt | first4 = Michael E. | author-link4 = | last5 = Weisman | first5 = Michael H. |veditors=|others=|doi=|oclc=|quote=|archive-url=|archive-date=| location = }}</ref> *[https://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/diseases/10809/postorgasmic-illness-syndrome Postorgasmic illness syndrome] *[[Long COVID|Long Covid]] ==Presentation== ==Prevalence== *Katrina Berne reports a prevalence of 75-100% for confusion and inability to think clearly.<ref>{{Cite book | last = Berne | first = Katrina | author-link = Katrina Berne | date = Dec 1, 1995 | title = Running on Empty: The Complete Guide to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFIDS)|edition= 2nd |url= https://www.amazon.co.uk/Running-Empty-Complete-Chronic-Syndrome/dp/0897931912/ | publisher = Hunter House | page = 59 | isbn = 978-0897931915}}</ref> ==Symptom recognition== ==Notable studies== *2013, [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3896080/ What is brain fog? An evaluation of the symptom in postural tachycardia syndrome]<ref name="Ross, 2013">{{Cite journal | last1 = Ross | first1 = A.J. | author-link1 = | last2 = Medow | first2 = M.S. | author-link2 = Marvin Medow | last3 =Rowe | first3 = P.C. | author-link3 = Peter Rowe | last4 = Stewart | first4 = J.M. | author-link4 = Julian Stewart | title = What is brain fog? An evaluation of the symptom in postural tachycardia syndrome. | journal = Clinical Autonomic Research : Official Journal of the Clinical Autonomic Research Society | volume = 23 | issue = 6 | pages = 305–311 | date = 2013 | doi = 10.1007/s10286-013-0212-z }}</ref> *2016, [https://www.sciforschenonline.org/journals/clinical-research/CLROA-2-110.php qEEG / LORETA in Assessment of Neurocognitive Impairment in a Patient with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Case Report]<ref name="Zinn2018">{{Cite journal | last = Zinn | first1 = Marcie | author-link1 = Marcie Zinn | last2 = Zinn | first2 = Mark | author-link2 = Mark Zinn | last3 = Jason | first3 = Leonard | author-link3 = Leonard Jason | title = qEEG / LORETA in Assessment of Neurocognitive Impairment in a Patient with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Case Report | journal = Clinical Research: Open Access | volume = 2 | issue = 1 | page = | date = 2016 | pmid = | url = https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Leonard-Jason/publication/293049189_qEEG_LORETA_in_Assessment_of_Neurocognitive_Impairment_in_a_Patient_with_Chronic_Fatigue_Syndrome_A_Case_Report/links/56b8f26e08ae39ea9905b6a6/qEEG-LORETA-in-Assessment-of-Neurocognitive-Impairment-in-a-Patient-with-Chronic-Fatigue-Syndrome-A-Case-Report.pdf | doi = 10.16966/2469-6714.110 }}</ref> <blockquote>Our case study confirmed the pattern of dysregulation in the cortex reviewed in the introduction. Furthermore, since both periods of phase shift/lock durations were found to be significantly shorter, that might contribute to an increased rate of phase reset, also seen in our data. Phase reset deregulation--phase locking periods being too brief and phase reset happening too often—appear to be consistent with the associated lower rate of information processing and reaction times found in the ME and CFS literature. These deregulated states represent the [[brain]] during nonoptimal functioning, rendering it inefficient for most types of information processing functioning, whether it is executive functioning, [[Memory problems|memory]], perceptual reasoning or information processing speed. When phase lock is significantly less than normal, as in this data set, the ability of the brain to sustain commitment of resources to mediate different functions is severely compromised. Phase shift duration in this data is also hypoactive, meaning that significantly less neurons are being recruited to perform a function than normal. The results here indicate slowed verbal comprehension, executive functions, perceptual reasoning, processing speed and memory, the sum total of which is known as [[cognitive impairment]].<ref name="Zinn2018" /></blockquote> [[File:CLROA-2-110-F1.gif|850px|thumb|center| Figure 1: Results of LORETA current source density in a case with CFS showing widespread decreased current density for delta at 2 Hz and beta (12- 15 Hz) demonstrating a global reduction in brain functioning (blue). The higher frequencies (beta) have been shown to be a function of delta frequencies. In other words, local oscillations are under constant influence of global brain dynamics (Buzsaki, 2006).<ref name="Zinn2018" />]] *2018, Cognitive Impairment in Fibromyalgia: A Meta-Analysis of Case–Control Studies<ref>{{Cite journal | title = Cognitive Impairment in Fibromyalgia: A Meta-Analysis of Case–Control Studies | url = https://journals.lww.com/psychosomaticmedicine/fulltext/2018/06000/cognitive_impairment_in_fibromyalgia__a.5.aspx | pmid = 29528888 | journal = Psychosomatic Medicine | volume = 80 | issue = 5 | pages = 432-438 | date = 2018 | last = Wu | first = Yu-Lin | last2 = Huang | first2 = Chun-Jen | last3 = Fang | first3 = Su-Chen | last4 = Ko | first4 = Ling-Hsin | last5 = Tsai | first5 = Pei-Shan }}</ref> - [https://journals.lww.com/psychosomaticmedicine/fulltext/2018/06000/cognitive_impairment_in_fibromyalgia__a.5.aspx (Abstract)] ==Possible causes== ==Potential treatments== ==Learn more== *2013, [https://solvecfs.org/research/solve-me-cfs-initiative-science-discovery-program-for-researchers/brain-fog-in-cfs-whats-going-on/ Brain Fog in ME/CFS: What's Going On?] - Solve ME/CFS *2016, [https://www.meaction.net/2016/02/07/case-study-brain-fog-in-cfs-can-be-seen-in-qeegloreta-analysis/ Case Study: “Brain Fog” in CFS can be seen in qEEG/Loreta] - #MEAction * 2018, [https://fibromyalgianewstoday.com/2018/03/21/fibromyalgia-cognitive-dysfunction-study-identifies-main-types/ Study Identifies the Types of Cognitive Dysfunction That Are Most Prevalent in Fibromyalgia] *[https://mpkb.org/home/symptoms/neurological/cognitive Cognitive dysfunction (brain fog)]<ref name="mpkb">{{Cite web | title = Cognitive dysfunction (brain fog) (MPKB) | url = https://mpkb.org/home/symptoms/neurological/cognitive | website = mpkb.org | access-date = 2018-08-28|language=en}}</ref> <blockquote>According to the Marshall Pathogenesis, [[cognitive dysfunction]] is caused by [[microbe]]s. More severe forms of cognitive dysfunction are seen in diseases such as [[Alzheimer's]], diseases for which there is strong evidence of a [[bacteria]]l etiology. Often associated with [[chronic fatigue syndrome]],<sup>1)</sup> cognitive dysfunction is also seen in patients with [[multiple sclerosis]],<sup>2)</sup> [[depression]],<sup>3)</sup> [[fibromyalgia]],<sup>4)</sup> and dozens of others diseases.<ref name="mpkb" /></blockquote> * 2024, [https://www.theguardian.com/society/2024/feb/22/long-covid-brain-fog-may-be-due-to-leaky-blood-brain-barrier-study?trk=public_post_comment-text Long Covid ‘brain fog’ may be due to leaky blood-brain barrier, study finds] The Guardian ==See also== *[[Aphasia]] *[[Blood-brain barrier]] *[[Cognitive dysfunction]] *[[Dyscalculia]] *[[Dysphasia]] *[[Fibromyalgia]] *[[Long COVID]] *[[ME/CFS]] *[[Memory problems]] *[[Word-finding problems]] == References == <references> </references> [[Category:Signs and symptoms]] [[Category:Cognitive signs and symptoms]]
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