Jason, Leonard, Sorenson, Matthew, Sebally, Kebba et al. · Brain, behavior, and immunity · 2011 · DOI
This study examined stress hormone systems in older adults with ME/CFS. Researchers found that people with ME/CFS had lower levels of cortisol (a stress hormone) but higher levels of an enzyme called HDAC and lower antioxidant protection. These findings suggest that the body's stress response system isn't working properly in ME/CFS, possibly due to increased cellular stress.
Understanding HPA axis dysregulation mechanisms in ME/CFS could explain why patients experience abnormal stress responses and fatigue. This work identifies potential molecular targets (HDAC, oxidative stress pathways) that might inform future therapeutic interventions.
This pilot study cannot establish causation or determine whether HDAC elevation causes cortisol reduction or vice versa. Results are limited to older adults with ME/CFS and cannot be generalized to younger patients or other age groups without further research.
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
Jason, Leonard, Sorenson, Matthew, Sebally, Kebba, Alkazemi, Dalal, Lerch, Athena, Porter, Nicole, et al. (2011). Increased HDAC in association with decreased plasma cortisol in older adults with chronic fatigue syndrome.. Brain, behavior, and immunity. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbi.2011.04.007
BibTeX
@article{mecfsatlas-jason-2011-increased-hdac,
author = {Jason, Leonard and Sorenson, Matthew and Sebally, Kebba and Alkazemi, Dalal and Lerch, Athena and Porter, Nicole and Kubow, Stan},
title = {Increased HDAC in association with decreased plasma cortisol in older adults with chronic fatigue syndrome.},
journal = {Brain, behavior, and immunity},
year = {2011},
doi = {10.1016/j.bbi.2011.04.007},
note = {PubMed: 21549189},
url = {https://www.mecfsatlas.com/evidence/jason-2011-increased-hdac},
}Atlas snapshot reference
ME/CFS Atlas. Generator v1 / Scanner v1.4 / policy v0.1. Accessed 2026-05-28. https://www.mecfsatlas.com/evidence/jason-2011-increased-hdac
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