Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 4, 2025
09:25
The Treadmill Fatigue Test: A Simple, High-throughput Assay of Fatigue-like Behavior for the Mouse
Published on: May 31, 2016
18.6K
Greater Fatigue and Reduced Neurocognitive Speed With Symptomatic Crohn's Disease
Brittaney Bonhomme1, Neilanjan Nandi2, Shivali Berera2
1Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
Crohn'S & Colitis 360
|January 1, 2025
Summary
Patients with Crohn's disease experience significant fatigue and slower neurocognitive processing, especially when the disease is active. Fatigue does not appear to explain these cognitive changes in Crohn's disease patients.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Neuroscience
- Psychology
Background:
- Crohn's disease (CD) is frequently associated with patient-reported fatigue.
- Emerging evidence suggests a potential link between CD and mild neurocognitive impairment.
- This study aimed to clarify the relationship between CD activity, fatigue, and cognitive function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between Crohn's disease activity and fatigue levels.
- To examine the impact of Crohn's disease on neurocognitive functioning, including accuracy and speed.
- To determine if fatigue mediates the relationship between Crohn's disease activity and neurocognitive performance.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 25 adults with Crohn's disease and 26 healthy controls.
- Assessment of fatigue using PROMIS Fatigue 7a and Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory.
- Neurocognitive testing across six domains, with disease activity assessed via symptomatic and endoscopic measures.
Main Results:
- Adults with Crohn's disease reported significantly higher fatigue levels compared to controls.
- No significant differences in neurocognitive accuracy or speed were observed between CD patients and controls.
- Symptomatic and endoscopic disease activity correlated with slower response times in specific cognitive domains, independent of fatigue levels.
Conclusions:
- Symptomatic Crohn's disease is linked to increased fatigue and impaired neurocognitive response times.
- Neurocognitive deficits in Crohn's disease patients are not solely explained by fatigue.
- Disease activity, rather than fatigue, appears to be a significant factor influencing cognitive performance in Crohn's disease.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Inflammatory Bowel Disease II: Crohn's Disease
183
Introduction
Inflammatory bowel disease, commonly known as IBD, refers to a collection of disorders that lead to persistent inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. The two types of IBD are ulcerative colitis, which impacts the colon, and Crohn's disease, which can involve any part of the gastrointestinal segment.
Crohn's disease
Crohn's disease is a chronic, systemic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that predominantly affects the gastrointestinal tract. It is marked by...
Inflammatory bowel disease, commonly known as IBD, refers to a collection of disorders that lead to persistent inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. The two types of IBD are ulcerative colitis, which impacts the colon, and Crohn's disease, which can involve any part of the gastrointestinal segment.
Crohn's disease
Crohn's disease is a chronic, systemic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that predominantly affects the gastrointestinal tract. It is marked by...
183
01:30Inflammatory Bowel Disease III: Diagnostic Studies and Management I-Nutritional Therapy
315
Various diagnostic tests are employed in the diagnostic process for Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), particularly to differentiate between Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
Diagnostic studies
A colonoscopy is the definitive screening test, distinguishing ulcerative colitis from other colon diseases with similar symptoms. During a colonoscopy test, inflamed mucosa with exudate ulcerations can be observed, and biopsies are taken to determine the histologic characteristics of the...
Diagnostic studies
A colonoscopy is the definitive screening test, distinguishing ulcerative colitis from other colon diseases with similar symptoms. During a colonoscopy test, inflamed mucosa with exudate ulcerations can be observed, and biopsies are taken to determine the histologic characteristics of the...
315
01:17Chronic Bowel Disorders: Introduction
386
Chronic bowel diseases are a group of long-term conditions affecting the digestive tract, characterized by inflammation and damage to the gut lining. These conditions primarily include irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder affecting the gastrointestinal tract. The distinctive feature is recurrent abdominal pain associated with altered bowel movements, manifesting as constipation, diarrhea, or fluctuating between both. The...
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder affecting the gastrointestinal tract. The distinctive feature is recurrent abdominal pain associated with altered bowel movements, manifesting as constipation, diarrhea, or fluctuating between both. The...
386
01:29Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Immunomodulatory Agents
141
Crohn's disease is an inflammatory bowel disorder marked by chronic inflammation of the GI tract. Various treatment strategies for Crohn's disease are employed, such as immunomodulatory agents, glucocorticoids, and biologics or anti-TNF therapy. Azathioprine (Imuran), a commonly used immunomodulatory drug for Crohn's disease, is converted in the body to mercaptopurine, which inhibits purine biosynthesis and cell proliferation. Both are utilized in severe cases of Inflammatory Bowel...
141
01:24Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Biologic Agents: Anti-TNF
114
Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF), a proinflammatory cytokine, contributes significantly to the inflammation seen in Crohn's disease. It exists as soluble TNF and membrane-bound TNF, with actions mediated through TNF receptors (TNFR). TNFR activation leads to the release of proinflammatory cytokines, T-cell activation, collagen production, and leukocyte migration, all contributing to inflammation in Crohn's disease. Anti-TNF monoclonal antibodies, namely infliximab (Remicade), adalimumab...
114
01:21Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Glucocorticoids
95
Glucocorticoids, a class of anti-inflammatory drugs, are pivotal in treating moderate to severe Crohn's disease by inducing remission. They exhibit their anti-inflammatory action by inhibiting the production of inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1, and chemokines like IL-8. In addition, they reduce the expression of inflammatory cell adhesion molecules and inhibit gene transcription of nitric oxide synthase, phospholipase A2, cyclooxygenase-2...
95