BRAIN FOG" SYNDROME AS A CLINICAL PHENOMENON

Brain fog syndrome is a clinical phenomenon characterized by subjective cognitive impairment, including difficulties with concentration, memory, mental clarity, and information processing speed. Although not classified as an independent medical diagnosis, brain fog is frequently observed in various neurological, psychiatric, metabolic, and post-infectious conditions. Common contributing factors include chronic stress, sleep disorders, hormonal imbalance, nutritional deficiencies, systemic inflammation, and neuroinflammatory processes. From a pathophysiological perspective, brain fog is associated with dysregulation of neurotransmitter systems, impaired cerebral blood flow, mitochondrial dysfunction, and increased production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. These mechanisms may disrupt synaptic transmission and neural network connectivity, leading to decreased cognitive performance. Recent studies have also highlighted the role of the gut–brain axis and immune system activation in the development of cognitive symptoms, particularly in post-viral syndromes and chronic fatigue conditions [1,2]. Understanding brain fog as a multifactorial clinical phenomenon is essential for accurate diagnosis, identification of underlying causes, and development of targeted therapeutic strategies.