Researchers find a promising association but not causation — at least not yet.
Psychiatrists often see patients whose symptoms have no apparent organic etiology, although these patients might disagree that “the disease is all in their heads.” At times, an etiology is identified that explains the disease, which shifts the disease paradigm. Because of their complaints about depression and fatigue, patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) often receive psychiatric referrals. Thus, a recent report about an infectious retrovirus in patients with CFS has, unsurprisingly, received extensive publicity, including an “op-ed” essay in the New York Times.
Immune system abnormalities had previously been detected in patients with CFS. The current study focused on xenotropic murine leukemia virus–related virus (XMRV), previously …
Reviewing Author
DisclosuresRoyaltiesTextbook of Traumatic Brain Injury, 2nd and 3rd editions
Editorial BoardsUpToDate; Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience
Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesNorth American Brain Injury Association (Board Member); National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (Chair of Data Monitoring Safety Board for study of donepezil on cognition after traumatic brain injury)
DisclosuresRoyaltiesTextbook of Traumatic Brain Injury, 2nd and 3rd editions
Editorial BoardsUpToDate; Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience
Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesNorth American Brain Injury Association (Board Member); National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (Chair of Data Monitoring Safety Board for study of donepezil on cognition after traumatic brain injury)