title: Chronic fatigue syndrome: what role does the autonomic nervous system play in the pathophysiology of this complex illness?
abstract: Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a serious health concern affecting over 800000 Americans of all ages, races and socioeconomic groups and both genders. The etiology and pathophysiology of CFS are unknown, yet studies have suggested an involvement of the autonomic nervous system (ANS). A symposium was organized in December 2000 to explore the possibility of an association between ANS dysfunction and CFS, with special emphasis on the interactions between ANS dysfunction and other abnormalities noted in the immune and endocrine systems of individuals with CFS. This paper represents the consensus of the panel of experts who participated in this meeting.
authors.affiliation: Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA.
authors.forename: Timothy R
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Gerrity
authors.forename: Janet
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bates
authors.forename: David S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Bell
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Chrousos
authors.forename: Gloria
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Furst
authors.forename: Terry
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hedrick
authors.forename: Barry
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hurwitz
authors.forename: Roger W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Kula
authors.forename: Susan M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Levine
authors.forename: Rebecca C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Moore
authors.forename: Ronald
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Schondorf
mesh_terms: D001341:Autonomic Nervous System / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001342:Autonomic Nervous System Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D035843:Biomedical Research; D015673:Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008959:Models, Neurological; D009490:Neurosecretory Systems / Q000503:physiopathology; D012791:Shy-Drager Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology