Mental fatigue in psychiatric disorders: Neurobiological mechanisms, cognitive impairment, and clinical implications — a scoping review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33448/rsd-v15i5.51140Keywords:
Mental fatigue, Psychiatry, Neuropsychology, Cognition, Inflammation.Abstract
Mental fatigue represents a frequent and disabling clinical phenomenon in different psychiatric disorders and is associated with significant cognitive, emotional, and functional alterations. Despite its high prevalence, its neurobiological and neuropsychological mechanisms remain partially understood. This study aimed to analyze the available evidence on mental fatigue in psychiatric disorders, with emphasis on neurobiological mechanisms, cognitive impairment, assessment instruments, and clinical implications. This is a scoping review conducted through a narrative search in national and international scientific databases, including studies related to mental fatigue in different psychiatric conditions. Articles involving neuropsychological, neurobiological, and functional aspects associated with the phenomenon were included. The evidence shows that mental fatigue is significantly associated with attentional deficits, executive impairment, changes in working memory, and reduced functional performance. Neurobiological mechanisms involving neuroinflammation, dopaminergic and serotonergic dysfunctions, alterations of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, and impairment of frontal neural networks seem to play a relevant role in the pathophysiology of the condition. In addition, a significant occupational, academic, and social impact was observed in affected individuals. It is concluded that mental fatigue constitutes a clinically relevant transdiagnostic phenomenon in psychiatry, associated with complex cognitive, functional, and neurobiological changes. Expanding knowledge about its mechanisms may contribute to more effective diagnostic and therapeutic strategies in clinical practice.
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