dr. C.A.T. (Inge) Zijdewind

• ZONMW "postexertional malaise: a starting point to investigate and understand ME/CFS"
• NIH-NINDS FORE-SCI "Cortical activation in patients after spinal cord injury"
• Pilot grant stichting MS research stichting "A stimulating challenge"
• Pilot grant stichting MS research stichting "Central fatigue in MS patients"
• NWO-Cognition  "Interaction between cognitive and motor performance during fatigue"

My research focuses on the mechanisms underlying reduced performance capacity (fatigability) and increased sense of effort (fatigue) in patients. Fatigue is a common and debilitating symptom across many conditions, often leading to a markedly reduced quality of life. However, the reasons why individuals experience fatigue or an increased sense of effort during physical or cognitive activity remain poorly understood.

Importantly, the relationship between fatigue and fatigability is not straightforward. Some patients demonstrate reduced performance capacity without reporting increased fatigue, whereas others experience profound fatigue despite no measurable decline in performance.

Currently, my work places particular emphasis on individuals with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) and multiple sclerosis (MS). People with ME/CFS often experience a worsening of symptoms or the emergence of new ones following physical or cognitive exertion—a phenomenon known as post-exertional malaise (PEM).

To elucidate the mechanisms responsible for PEM, fatigue, and fatigability, we employ a multidisciplinary approach that combines neurophysiological, neuroimaging, and metabolic methods. This integrative approach aims to identify the neural and systemic processes contributing to the development and persistence of fatigue-related symptoms.