Fatigue center of Brain

[Wishful]

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/08/200826113713.htm

"Using MRI scans and computer modeling, scientists say they have further pinpointed areas of the human brain that regulate efforts to deal with fatigue."

The part identified is the insula:

Wiki: "It plays a role in a variety of homeostatic functions related to basic survival needs, such as taste, visceral sensation, and autonomic control. The insula controls autonomic functions through the regulation of the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems. It has a role in regulating the immune system."

The study certainly doesn't point clearly at the insula being involved in ME's fatigue, but it's something for researchers to keep in mind. For example, if a significant number of PWME have feelings of bloating that correlate with other ME symptom levels, that might be evidence that the insula is involved.

 

[Bansaw]

I wonder what avenues of treatment they might develop...

 

[ljimbo423]

The part identified is the insula:

Jarred Younger found increased temperature, a sign of inflammation, in the insula in ME/CFS-

ME/CFS patients had increased temperature in the right insula, putamen, frontal cortex, thalamus, and the cerebellum (all p < 0.05), which was not attributable to increased body temperature or differences in cerebral perfusion.

Brain temperature increases converged with elevated LAC/CR in the right insula, right thalamus, and cerebellum (all p < 0.05). We report metabolite and temperature abnormalities in ME/CFS patients in widely distributed regions. Our findings may indicate that ME/CFS involves neuroinflammation.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30617782/

 

[andyguitar]

It has a role in regulating the immune system."

This might be the most significant finding rather than it's role in "fatigue".

 

[Wishful]

The part I'm not sure of is whether the insula controls central fatigue or just muscular fatigue. My main problem is mental lethargy, which I think is central fatigue.