Intra brainstem connectivity is impaired in chronic fatigue syndrome, Barnden et al., 2019

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2213158219303924

Abstract:

 

Hmmm. They don’t suggest any treatments in the paper.

 

When corresponding correlations from HC and ME/CFS were compared, ME/CFS connectivity deficits were detected within the brainstem between the medulla and cuneiform nucleus and between the brainstem and hippocampus and intralaminar thalamus, but only during task.

Could fit.

 

Surprised that they selected cohort using Fukuda criteria rather than CCC or ICC.

 

Yes, it's disappointing that Fukuda remains so popular.

Is anyone up to providing a plain English translation? The conclusion is about all I could understand, and even that only in part.

 

Seems interesting. I do not know how much fMRIs actually tell us, is anyone able to elaborate a bit on that? How do I have to interpret 'during task' in this context, is it something like 'we challenge this part to do xyz and measure what happens' or is it more like 'we wait till it has to do sth and take measurements' since the brainstem is used in a lot of regulatory operations. Sorry if it is explained in the full text, I am going with the whole too-tired-to-actually-read-but-someone-else-will-have-the-same-questions-as-me-right-now justification on this one.

As far as I know it is also common in brain conditions for unusual connections to be compensatory or otherwise counterintuitive, so... anyone here with a degree? Is it cool if I tag @Woolie because I'd like to hear his interpretation?

 

It looks to me the right sort of study to do. I find interpretation of MRI very hard and need to look at the details. But I think it is worth us going over this very carefully. It may be very important.

 

Will definitely ask why as I’m interested to know.
Might be patronising of me to explain that to the authors of the ICC and CCC and their colleagues!

 

I might not be up to it but I certainly intent to try!

 

In the above thread, @Jonathan Edwards said (my bold):

Could this be the "something going on in the brainstem"? If so, I find it very exciting that we're beginning to connect tangible abnormalities together.

 

My guess is it might be funding related. They might have been told that funding was more likely to be approved if they used Fukuda. It would be nice to find out for sure though.

 

Problems with the brainstem have been suspected since the 80s so this is very promising.

 

Sounds plausible. As discussed years ago on the other forum, the RAS is involved in wakefulness/arousal, sleep, attention. If I recall correctly, a previous study found a correlation between brainstem neuroimaging alterations and pulse pressure, which would link in with problems with autonomic control we experience.

 

I agree that this may be an important paper. I am just not optimistic that there will be any way of fixing this. The track record on treatments for other neurological diseases is not so good.

 

No need to open and replace anymore.

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/241215.php

 

I love this study too!

One thing I wondered is what exactly is meant by "connectivity impairment"?

 

The mention of impaired muscle tone really stood out to me because I have never related to this part of my ME as neurological.

I had a significant change in that I have never been able to tone up my muscles properly since my ME onset. Every time I try I get very sick with PEM.

 

I like the description they use, given there’s debate on this.