Maes, Michael, Mihaylova, Ivanka, Leunis, Jean-Claude · Neuro endocrinology letters · 2007
This study found that people with ME/CFS and depression have higher levels of specific immune proteins (IgM antibodies) that attack a substance called phosphatidyl inositol in their blood compared to healthy people. These antibody levels were linked to fatigue and depression symptoms, suggesting that an abnormal immune response against this substance might contribute to both conditions.
This research suggests ME/CFS and depression may share a common immune mechanism involving antibodies against a critical cell signaling molecule. If confirmed in larger studies, this finding could lead to specific biomarkers for diagnosis and potentially targeted immune-modulating treatments for both conditions.
This cross-sectional study establishes association only, not causation—elevated anti-Pi antibodies may be a consequence rather than a cause of ME/CFS and depression. The small sample sizes (14 per group) limit generalizability, and the study does not demonstrate that these antibodies directly cause the observed symptoms or functional impairment. No longitudinal data show whether antibody levels change with disease progression or treatment response.
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
Maes, Michael, Mihaylova, Ivanka, & Leunis, Jean-Claude (2007). Increased serum IgM antibodies directed against phosphatidyl inositol (Pi) in chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and major depression: evidence that an IgM-mediated immune response against Pi is one factor underpinning the comorbidity between both CFS and depression.. Neuro endocrinology letters. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18063934/
BibTeX
@article{mecfsatlas-maes-2007-increased-serum-2,
author = {Maes, Michael and Mihaylova, Ivanka and Leunis, Jean-Claude},
title = {Increased serum IgM antibodies directed against phosphatidyl inositol (Pi) in chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and major depression: evidence that an IgM-mediated immune response against Pi is one factor underpinning the comorbidity between both CFS and depression.},
journal = {Neuro endocrinology letters},
year = {2007},
note = {PubMed: 18063934},
url = {https://www.mecfsatlas.com/evidence/maes-2007-increased-serum-2},
}Atlas snapshot reference
ME/CFS Atlas. Generator v1 / Scanner v1.4 / policy v0.1. Accessed 2026-05-30. https://www.mecfsatlas.com/evidence/maes-2007-increased-serum-2
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