MEMORY DEFICITS ASSOCIATED WITH CHRONIC FATIGUE IMMUNE DYSFUNCTION SYNDROME

Performance on tests of memory in 39 patients who met Center for Disease Control (CDC) criteria for chronic fatigue immune dysfunction syndrome (CFIDS) was compared with 23 depressed patients (DSM-III-R) and 129 healthy controls. Although the CFIDS patients had normal neuropsychological profiles, they significantly overestimated their ability (metamemory), performed significantly worse on tests of recall as context increased (e.g., recognition), made more errors when rehearsal was prevented, and had delayed mental scanning as memory load increased. The overall pattern indicated that CFIDS patients had a significant memory deficit, far worse than implied by CDC criteria. The pattern for CFIDS patients was consistent with temporal-limbic dysfunction and significantly different than depressed patients and control subjects.