Cognitive Issues In Orthostatic Intolerance, Dr. Satish Raj

Dr. Satish Raj discussed cognitive issues, commonly referred to as "brain fog," in patients with POTS at the Dysautonomia International's 2016 Annual Conference. The talk covered research mostly conducted at Vanderbilt University, highlighting the difficulties POTS patients face with cognitive function, such as attention and executive function. Dr. Raj pointed out that while there's often a preconception of these issues being psychiatric, studies show they might not necessarily be linked to depression or anxiety. Instead, POTS patients present with specific cognitive challenges, even when seated and not experiencing orthostatic stress. Sleep disturbances, though widely reported, are not often caused by sleep apnea but more frequently by insomnia. At present, no specific effective treatments have been identified for these cognitive issues; however, Dr. Raj discussed potential off-label uses of ADHD medications, including their benefits and side effects. Research continues to explore this aspect of POTS, including ongoing studies into pharmacological interventions like modafinil.