The peculiarities of formation and approaches to the treatment of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome in young patients with focal brain damage [Article in Russian]

Journal: Zh Nevrol Psikhiatr Im S S Korsakova. 2006;Spec No 3:122-9.

[No authors listed]

PMID: 17172247

Chronic Fatigue (CF) is a syndrome manifesting in cases with focal brain damage. It is frequent in multiple sclerosis (MS) and encephalopathies (post-traumatic, cerebrovascular, etc). [Encephalopathies are defined as diseases that alter brain function and/or structure.] Treatment of this syndrome remains problematic.

The study aimed to analyze the genesis of CF in patients with different non-active neurological diseases with brain damage and possibility of its treatment with the complex drug fezam (piracetam plus cinnarizin) in dosage 2 capsules 3 times per day. [Fezam is described as a “nootropic” or “smart drug” – a substance that acts on the brain to boost functions or capabilities.]

Before the treatment, all the patients had CF, which was directly associated with severity of depression in patients with encephalopathies. In MS patients, changes in the valuable-and-sense sphere that plays a significant role in human behavior and activity underlying self-regulation in critical situations were found.

Neuropsychological data revealed that in patients with encephalopathies psychological and behavioral aspects were more significant in regard with CF genesis than in patients with MS. Fesam caused significant decrease of the CF severity, which was more prominent in the MS group, while in another group it was associated with a decrease of depression severity.

Mild side-effects were observed in 6 patients (12%) and appeared mainly as sleep disorders. This trial allows recommending fezam for complex treatment of CF syndrome in MS and in combination with psychocorrective medicines in cases of encephalopathies.