Abstract ‘Brain fog’ is a term that patients use increasingly frequently in the neurology clinic. We may think that we know what patients are talking about but at least some of the time we are likely to be getting it wrong. Patients use the term ‘brain fog’ to describe a wide range of subjective phenomena and symptoms. This paper suggests useful lines of questioning, and discusses the clinical correlates of a range of common ‘brain fog’ experiences. Paywall, https://pn.bmj.com/content/early/2024/09/19/pn-2024-004112
Similar to how a muscle can feel unpleasantly tired and less capacle of doing work, the ability to think can feel impaired, be accompanied by unpleasant sensations of effort and unwellness, with difficulty forming clear thoughts, finding words and recalling things. And I think that sensation of impairment and discomfort is what people refer to as brain fog.
"subjective phenomena"?? Which brain fog symptoms would be excluded from "symptoms"? And why is she acting like the use of brain fog is new, and is primarily a patient thing? In my experience I see doctors using it more, far more than I. I think it's dated and uninformed and demeaning - and almost a red flag that the clinician or researcher is at best condescending, or worse, out of touch. Fog dissipates, clears up with the sun. What we have does not.
One thing I find odd about "brain fog" is how doctors seem determined to change the name of it, just like they seemed to be determined to change the name of "Long Covid" for a while. I think they may have lost the battle on Long Covid though. I came across the name "foggy brain" recently and thought that sounded really absurd. I know I've read other names but my own brain fog prevents me from remembering them right now.
This isn't as bad as I thought it might be although it has a rather FNDish perspective. The phrase "brain fog" is certainly far too broad a term to be of clinical value and to elucidate whether attentional, affective, higher cognitive etc symptoms are meant by the term is absolutely necessary. Not sure about this: It would probably be best if the use of the term was limited to what was previously called pseudodementia. Very little evidence for this, I think: The conclusion: The "key points":
Not surprising, "Research summary Laura McWhirter's research interests are in cognitive disorders, functional neurological disorders, and brain injury. Current research interests Dr McWhirter's current primary research project aims to describe various clinical phenotypes in Long COVID. Past research interests Somatosensory attention in functional neurological disorders, Foreign Accent Syndrome, transcranial magnetic stimulation, the history of physical treatments for functional neurological disorder." https://www.ed.ac.uk/profile/dr-laura-mcwhirter
... when you test for it using blunt instruments that don't properly identify it, and refuse to do any more specific testing on the grounds that it would 'medicalise' the situation. Then you can happily reassure yourself that the patients are wrong, you are right, and all is for the best in the best of all possible worlds.
