Diagnostic and treatment challenges of chronic fatigue syndrome: role of immediate-release methylphenidate.
Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a distinct entity belonging to the group of persistent fatigue that can be challenging to diagnose and to treat. It is characterized by a combination of prolonged fatigue, other nonspecific somatic manifestations and neuropsychological symptoms, including difficulties with concentration, short-term memory and thinking, as well as impaired attention and slowed processing speed. Neurostimulants increasing dopamine and norepinephrine activity, such as bupropion, dextroamphetamine and recently immediate-release methylphenidate have been advocated to improve neurocognitive deficits. The use of immediate-release methylphenidate in CFS has been shown in one small study. Using the positive results of this study and the well-known beneficial effects of the drug on a range of similar cognitive symptoms in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, this perspective addresses CFS and other related disorders and provides a discussion on the potential promising role of methylphenidate in the therapeutic armamentarium of CFS.
Valdizán Usón
José Ramón
JR
Servicio de Neurofisiología Clínica, Hospital Universitario Miguel Servet, Paseo Isabel la Católica 1-3, E-50009 Zaragoza, Spain. jrvaldizan@auna.com
Idiazábal Alecha
María Angeles
MA
D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations / Q000008:administration & dosage; D015673:Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008774:Methylphenidate / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000639:trends*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D008774:Methylphenidate