Doctors were right after all. Chronic fatigue Syndrome (CFS) is just all in your head… However, researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have discovered some physical clues that may lead to further understanding of this insidious and debilitating disease. Being “all in your head”, in this case, does not mean that someone is just a worry-wart or lazy. The brains of these patients have structural differences which may be either an effect of or cause of the symptoms.
Researchers at Stanford used MRI technology to compare the brains of 15 patients with diagnosed chronic fatigue syndrome and the brains of 14 matched healthy individuals. Their work uncovered a few differences that separated the two groups. Patients with CFS have less overall white matter and increased size of an area of gray matter that connects the frontal lobe and temporal lobe. White matter are the connections between different parts of the brain. As brain structure usually reflects capabilities and function, this is an intriguing finding.
The researchers, while excited about their discovery, are quick to point out that this is just a beginning. No cures are expected from this research immediately, but they hope that it will lead to further understanding and eventually improved treatment for CFS.
As for all illnesses, we can pray that God enables researchers to find means of restoration for patients suffering from CFS and other diseases. As all good things come from God, any cures must ultimately come from His providence.
Sanctuary Functional Medicine, under the direction of Dr Eric Potter, IFMCP MD, provides functional medicine services to Nashville, Middle Tennessee and beyond. We frequently treat patients from Kentucky, Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, Ohio, Indiana, and more... offering the hope of healthier more abundant lives to those with chronic illness.
