Fatigue & Underlying Neurobiology Lab
The Fatigue & Underlying Neurobiology (FUN) Lab at the University of Florida studies why people experience fatigue and how a better understanding of its underlying causes can lead to more effective treatments.
Our research brings together neuroscience, physiology, technology and patient experiences to better understand fatigue in health and in conditions such as Long COVID and ME/CFS.
Our Research
Fatigue can affect how people think, move and participate in everyday life, yet its causes remain poorly understood. At the FUN Lab, we approach fatigue not as a single symptom, but as a multidimensional experience with distinct features that may be driven by different biological mechanisms.
Our research focuses on three interconnected goals:
- Identify the features of fatigue. We use laboratory testing and real-world assessments to better understand the different ways people experience fatigue.
- Understand what causes them. We use neuroimaging, physiological measurements and other research methods to investigate the mechanisms underlying different features of fatigue.
- Develop better interventions. We use what we learn to help guide targeted approaches, including rehabilitation strategies and non-invasive brain stimulation.
Our work combines motor, cognitive and decision neuroscience with neuroimaging, psychophysiology, wearable technologies and real-world assessments.
About the FUN Lab
The FUN Lab is led by Agostina Casamento-Moran, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Department of Applied Physiology and Kinesiology at the University of Florida.
Dr. Casamento-Moran’s research focuses on transforming how fatigue is understood, measured and treated. Her work brings together scientists, clinicians, engineers and patients with the goal of translating research discoveries into approaches that improve quality of life for people living with fatigue.
Patient Experiences
This section is being developed.
We hope to share experiences and perspectives that help patients and prospective research participants better understand our work and what participation in FUN Lab research can look like.
Resources
For Patients
Resources for patients and individuals interested in fatigue research will be added here.
Lab Resources
Resources for members of the FUN Lab will be added here.
External Resources
Additional fatigue research, education and community resources will be added here.
Interested in Our Research?
Participation from patients and community members is essential to helping us better understand fatigue.
Learn More and Join Our Research Registry →
Joining the registry can help our research team connect with people who may be interested in current or future FUN Lab studies.
Contact
Fatigue & Underlying Neurobiology Lab Department of Applied Physiology and Kinesiology University of Florida
Agostina Casamento-Moran, Ph.D. Assistant Professor
Why we care
Fatigue robs millions of people of their ability to think clearly, move easily, and fully participate in life. It is one of the most prevalent and disabling symptoms across neurological, psychiatric, and other chronic illnesses; yet it remains poorly understood and inadequately treated. We believe no one should have to live with the burden of unexplained and untreated fatigue.
How we tackle the problem
Our work begins with a simple but transformative idea: fatigue is not a single, uniform phenomenon. It is a multidimensional phenomenon, with distinct features, each driven by unique neurobiological mechanisms. By merging these features into one imprecise construct, traditional approaches have obscured our understanding and hindered the development of effective treatments. We aim to transform how fatigue is understood, studied, and treated by clearly defining its features, then investigating each through a rigorous, interdisciplinary approach. Our research combines motor, cognitive, and decision neuroscience with neuroimaging, psychophysiology, wearable technologies, and real-world assessments. We work side-by-side with scientists across disciplines, clinicians, engineers, and -most importantly- patients to ensure our discoveries are both innovative and clinically meaningful.
What we do
Our research program aims to:
- Identify the distinct behavioral features of fatigue through integrative testing in laboratory and real-world settings.
- Uncover the unique neurobiological mechanisms underlying each feature using state-of-the-art neuroimaging and physiological methods.
- Develop targeted, evidence-based interventions, including non-invasive brain stimulation and rehabilitation strategies.
Every step of our work is guided by a culture of teamwork, respect, curiosity, and determination. We value diverse perspectives and believe that true scientific breakthroughs happen when discovery is a collective effort. Our ultimate goal is to translate research into effective care, thereby transforming how fatigue is understood, diagnosed, and treated, and improving the quality of life of the millions of individuals suffering from fatigue.
- Principal Investigator: Agostina Casamento-Moran, Ph.D.
- Publications: Google Scholar