Bianchedi, M, Croce, A, Moretti, A et al. · Acta otorhinolaryngologica Italica : organo ufficiale della Societa italiana di otorinolaringologia e chirurgia cervico-facciale · 1995
Researchers tested a special hearing test on people with ME/CFS to see if it could find differences in how their brainstem (the lower part of the brain) processes sound. They used two types of sound frequencies—slow and fast clicking sounds—while measuring brain electrical activity. The fast clicking test found unusual patterns in about 64% of people with confirmed ME/CFS, but not in people without ME/CFS, suggesting this test might help identify the condition.
This study offers potential objective neurophysiological biomarker for ME/CFS diagnosis—a condition lacking validated laboratory tests. If confirmed in larger studies, high-frequency ABR could help clinicians objectively identify CFS and distinguish it from other fatigue-related conditions, improving diagnostic accuracy and reducing diagnostic delay.
This study does not establish that ABR abnormalities cause ME/CFS symptoms, only that they may be associated with the condition. The small sample size (11 CFS cases) and lack of detailed clinical correlation limit conclusions about test reliability for clinical diagnosis. No follow-up data were provided to determine whether these abnormalities are stable biomarkers or change over time.
About the PEM badge: “PEM required” means post-exertional malaise was an explicit required diagnostic criterion for participant inclusion in this study — not that PEM was studied, observed, or discussed. Studies using criteria that do not require PEM (e.g. Fukuda, Oxford) are tagged “PEM not required”. How the atlas works →
The first block is for the primary paper and is the citation you should use in research work. The atlas-snapshot line only applies if you are specifically referring to this atlas’s reading of the paper on the date shown.
Primary citation
Bianchedi, M, Croce, A, Moretti, A, Neri, G, Barberio, A, Iezzi, A, et al. (1995). [Auditory brain stem evoked potentials in the evaluation of chronic fatigue syndrome].. Acta otorhinolaryngologica Italica : organo ufficiale della Societa italiana di otorinolaringologia e chirurgia cervico-facciale. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8711992/
BibTeX
@article{mecfsatlas-bianchedi-1995-auditory-brain,
author = {Bianchedi, M and Croce, A and Moretti, A and Neri, G and Barberio, A and Iezzi, A and Pizzigallo, E},
title = {[Auditory brain stem evoked potentials in the evaluation of chronic fatigue syndrome].},
journal = {Acta otorhinolaryngologica Italica : organo ufficiale della Societa italiana di otorinolaringologia e chirurgia cervico-facciale},
year = {1995},
note = {PubMed: 8711992},
url = {https://www.mecfsatlas.com/evidence/bianchedi-1995-auditory-brain},
}Atlas snapshot reference
ME/CFS Atlas. Generator v1 / Scanner v1.4 / policy v0.1. Accessed 2026-05-28. https://www.mecfsatlas.com/evidence/bianchedi-1995-auditory-brain
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