Chronic fatigue syndrome: neurological findings may be related to
blood-brain barrier permeability.

Med Hypotheses 2001 Jul;57(2):231-7

Bested AC, Saunders PR, Logan AC.

Environmental Health Clinic, Sunnybrook and Women's College, Health Sciences
Centre, Toronto, Canada

PMID: 11461179

Despite volumes of international research, the etiology of chronic fatigue
syndrome (CFS) remains elusive. There is, however, considerable evidence
that CFS is a disorder involving the central nervous system (CNS). It is our
hypothesis that altered permeability of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) may
contribute to ongoing signs and symptoms found in CFS.

To support this hypothesis we have examined agents that can increase the
blood-brain barrier permeability (BBBP) and those that may be involved in
CFS.

The factors which can compromise the normal BBBP in CFS include viruses,
cytokines, 5-hydroxytryptamine, peroxynitrite, nitric oxide, stress,
glutathione depletion, essential fatty acid deficiency, and
N-methyl-D-aspartate overactivity.

It is possible that breakdown of normal BBBP leads to CNS cellular
dysfunction and disruptions of neuronal transmission in CFS. Abnormal
changes in BBBP have been linked to a number of disorders involving the CNS;
based on review of the literature we conclude that the BBB integrity in CFS
warrants investigation.

Copyright 2001 Harcourt Publishers Ltd.