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Page 62
| Brain Function and Memory |
| Memory and brain power are adversely affected by low energy, tiredness, anxiety, stress and poor blood flow to the brain, all possible complaints with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. When Paul Cheney, M.D. and associates looked at neuropsychological changes in CFS, they found verbal recall and the ability to scan visually were especially poor. People also had difficulty sensing space as they tried to fit blocks into a square box when blindfolded. They even performed poorly on the "draw-a-person" test, producing drawings with little detail, heads out of proportion and scribbled fingers that resembled the work of a four-year-old. |
| One of the most consistent and frustrating problems encountered in CFS is the inability to process information correctly since memory, thought speed and attention are so poor. Related to this is difficulty in tracking or memorizing things in order, such as a sequence of events or a series of dance steps. Many people with CFS manage to do okay on standard IQ tests. Psychologist Curt Sandman, Ph.D. of the University of California thinks this is because they find retrieving already stored information is not nearly as difficult as recalling something freshly memorized. The more new information they try to |
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