Case histories of brainfag syndrome in Nigerian University undergraduates

Brain fag syndrome since the 1960s was identified as a medical problem among Nigerian students and till date there are varying opinions on its aetiology and classification. Recently it was grouped among the culture bound syndromes in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Diseases (IV). This is a critical report on the clinical presentations of the brain fag syndrome in Nigerian undergraduate students.

Previous literatures on brain fag syndrome were carefully reviewed and related to the syndrome presentations in the presently reported cases.

The clinical findings indicate underlying primary memory problems in the students and secondary other manifestations like depression, anxiety, and varying somatic complaints.

Brain fag syndrome might be a primarily reversible dysfunction of the working memory circuitry with multiple piedispositions and precipitants.