Abstract
Myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) is a devastating disorder marked by debilitating fatigue. It not well understood and its diagnosis is controversial. It is very important therefore that significant clinical features are investigated. Visual symptoms in ME represent a group of distinct, quantifiable, clinical features that could significantly improve diagnosis and provide insights into underlying pathology. The purpose of the present study was therefore to explore the effect of ME on spatial windows of visibility using the spatial contrast sensitivity function. Contrast sensitivity was determined for stationary luminance-defined sinusoidal gratings spanning a five-octave range of spatial frequencies (0.5 to 16 c/deg) in a group of 19 individuals with ME and a group of 19 matched (age, gender) controls. Compared to controls, the ME group exhibited a restricted spatial window of visibility for encoding stimulus contrast. This was characterised principally by a contrast sensitivity deficit at lower spatial frequencies and a narrower bandwidth. Our findings suggest that contrast sensitivity deficits may represent a visual marker of ME, and be indicative of abnormal visual processing at the level of the retina and in the cortical and subcortical visual pathways.
Highlights
Myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) is a debilitating disorder, affecting over 250,000 people in the UK [1]
Visual symptoms in ME represent a group of distinct, quantifiable, clinical features that could significantly improve diagnosis, provide insights into underlying pathology and represent a candidate for treatment, thereby improving the everyday lives of patients
Mean contrast contrast sensitivity sensitivity functions functions for for each each group group are are shown shown in Figure 1 and exhibited the expected bandpass character
Summary
Myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) is a debilitating disorder, affecting over 250,000 people in the UK [1]. It represents a substantial disease burden on sufferers, their families, the health service and economy. Diagnosis is based on categorising the symptoms reported by patients and differentiating them from symptoms of other fatigue-related illnesses. It is a diagnosis of exclusion, because there is currently no specific diagnostic test for ME. This is problematic due to the number of symptoms overlapping with other illnesses, and the reliance on patients to report their symptoms accurately. It is very important that significant clinical features are investigated
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