Brain mapping inflammatory arthritis related fatigue in the pursuit of novel therapeutics

Stefanov, K. , Al-Wasity, S., Parkinson, J. T. , Waiter, G. D., Cavanagh, J. and Basu, N. (2023) Brain mapping inflammatory arthritis related fatigue in the pursuit of novel therapeutics. Lancet Rheumatology, 5(2), e99-e109. (doi: 10.1016/S2665-9913(23)00007-3)

Abstract

Despite developments in pharmacological treatments, chronic fatigue is an unresolved issue for most people with inflammatory arthritis that severely disrupts their personal and working lives. Fatigue in these patients is not strongly linked with peripheral disease activity but is associated with CNS-derived symptoms such as chronic pain, sleep disturbance, and depression. Therefore, a neurobiological basis should be considered when pursuing novel fatigue-specific therapeutics. In this Review, we focus on clinical imaging biomarkers that map candidate brain regions and are crucial in fatigue pathophysiology. We then evaluate neuromodulation techniques that could affect these candidate brain regions and are potential treatment strategies for fatigue in patients with inflammatory arthritis. We delineate work that is still required for neuroimaging and neuromodulation to eventually become part of a clinical pathway to treat and manage fatigue.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Basu, Professor Neil and Cavanagh, Professor Jonathan and Parkinson, Dr Joel and Waiter, Dr Gordon and Al-Wasity, Mr Salim and Stefanov, Mr Kristian
• Authors: Stefanov, K., Al-Wasity, S., Parkinson, J. T., Waiter, G. D., Cavanagh, J., and Basu, N.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity
• Journal Name: Lancet Rheumatology
• Publisher: Elsevier
• ISSN: 2665-9913
• ISSN (Online): 2665-9913
• Published Online: 24 January 2023
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Ltd.
• First Published: First published in Lancet Rheumatology 5(2):e99-e109
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher