Asthenic disorders as a manifestation of chronic fatigue syndrome, 2021, Putilina

[Andy]

The article explains the changes in terminology and diagnostic criteria for asthenic disorders as manifestations of chronic fatigue syndrome CFS (myalgic encephalomyelitis). Chronic fatigue syndrome is defined as neuroimmune endocrine dysfunction with a purely clinical diagnosis. Probably, viral infections can play a leading role in the pathogenesis. Published diagnostic criteria reveal possible correlations between chronic fatigue syndrome and COVID-19 disease. A promising strategy for the therapy and rehabilitation of patients is the use of smart peptides, a representative of which is the drug cortexin.

Abstract in English at https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34481448/

Paywalled paper in Russian, https://www.mediasphera.ru/issues/z...i-im-s-s-korsakova/2021/8/1199772982021081125

 

[Hutan]

Cortexin?

from
Neuroprotective action of Cortexin, Cerebrolysin and Actovegin in acute or chronic brain ischemia in rats
It seems to have neuroprotective action with an ability to cross the blood brain barrier.

Cortexin® reduced the size of necrosis of brain tissue in acute ischemia, improved functioning of the antioxidant system and prevented the development of severe neurodegenerative changes in chronic ischemia model. Radioactively labeled Cortexin®crossed the blood-brain barrier in mice in vivo with concentrations equal to 6–8% of concentrations found in whole blood. During in vitro binding assay Cortexin® (10 μg/ml) demonstrated high or moderate binding to AMPA-receptors (80.1%), kainate receptors (73.5%), mGluR1 (49.0%), GABAA1 (44.0%) and mGluR5 (39.7%), which means that effects observed in vivo could be related on the glutamatergic and GABAergic actions of Cortexin®.

 

[Hutan]

The producer of Cortexin is Geropharm

GEROPHARM is a national manufacturer of biotechnological products providing for medicinal safety of Russia

 

[Arnie Pye]

The article explains the changes in terminology and diagnostic criteria for asthenic disorders as manifestations of chronic fatigue syndrome CFS (myalgic encephalomyelitis).

For those who don't know what asthenic means (i.e. people like me)...

Source : https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/asthenic

Definition of asthenic

1 : of, relating to, or exhibiting asthenia : weak

Synonyms

• debilitated,
• delicate,
• down-and-out,
• effete,
• enervated,
• enfeebled,
• faint,
• feeble,
• frail,
• infirm,
• languid,
• low,
• prostrate,
• prostrated,
• sapped,
• slight,
• soft,
• softened,
• tender,
• unsubstantial,
• wasted,
• weak,
• weakened,
• wimpish,
• wimpy

Another definition :

asthenic
(ăs-thĕn′ĭk)
adj.
1. Relating to or exhibiting asthenia; weak.
2. Having a slender, lightly muscled physique.
n.
A person having such a physique.
The American Heritage® Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2007, 2004 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

 

[Trish]

I had to look that up too. Here's what google tells me:

Aesthenic
a personality type characterised by low energy level, easy fatigability, incapacity for enjoyment, lack of enthusiasm, and oversensitivity to physical and emotional stress. When appearing in marked form it becomes a psychological disorder (asthenic personality disorder), also called dependent personality

 

[Hutan]

Interesting definitions, especially Trish's one. Before seeing those, I had wondered if asthenia might be a useful term for describing a symptom of ME/CFS, as the definitions I had seen focused on the easy fatiguability, and the larger than normal effort required to move.

Of course it's part of the name 'myasthenia gravis'. But also 'neurasthenia', a synonym for CFS (with one definition noted as 'dated' being "an ill-defined medical condition characterized by lassitude, fatigue, headache, and irritability, associated chiefly with emotional disturbance").

It seems that psychology has co-opted yet another neutral word, burdening it with implications of a personality disorder.

In the case of the paper that is the subject of this thread, based on the abstract, I don't think asthenia was meant to imply anything beyond its physical meaning.

 

[Creekside]

I really don't consider 'aesthenic disorders' as being a superior term than 'central fatigue'. Central fatigue isn't well-defined, but at least it has some definition.

How about we stop trying to rename things that we can't clearly define? If we manage to find a clinical cause of this fatigue-like feeling, such as a specific pattern of cytokines or glial cell abnormalities, then we can come up with a good term for it.

 

[Hutan]

I suspect the use of 'asthenic disorders' in this paper is mainly a result of the translation of the original from Russian.