Neri, Sergio, Pistone, Giovanni, Saraceno, Barbara et al. · Neuropsychobiology · 2003 · DOI
This study tested whether a supplement called L-carnitine could reduce fatigue caused by interferon-alpha treatment in people with hepatitis C. Fifty patients received either interferon alone or interferon plus L-carnitine daily. Patients taking the supplement experienced significantly less physical and mental fatigue, and their fatigue was less severe, particularly in the first three months of treatment.
This study is relevant to ME/CFS research because fatigue is the hallmark symptom and the mechanisms underlying interferon-induced fatigue may overlap with ME/CFS pathophysiology, including potential mitochondrial dysfunction and carnitine deficiency. The finding that L-carnitine substantially reduces fatigue severity and type suggests it warrants investigation as a potential therapeutic intervention in ME/CFS populations.
This study does not prove that L-carnitine will be effective in ME/CFS patients, as interferon-induced fatigue and ME/CFS have different etiologies. It does not establish whether carnitine deficiency is present in ME/CFS or that the mechanism of carnitine benefit in hepatitis C applies to idiopathic fatigue syndromes. Correlation between carnitine supplementation and fatigue reduction does not prove causation or identify the biological mechanism involved.
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
Neri, Sergio, Pistone, Giovanni, Saraceno, Barbara, Pennisi, Giovanni, Luca, Salvatore, & Malaguarnera, Mariano (2003). L-carnitine decreases severity and type of fatigue induced by interferon-alpha in the treatment of patients with hepatitis C.. Neuropsychobiology. https://doi.org/10.1159/000070016
BibTeX
@article{mecfsatlas-neri-2003-carnitine-decreases,
author = {Neri, Sergio and Pistone, Giovanni and Saraceno, Barbara and Pennisi, Giovanni and Luca, Salvatore and Malaguarnera, Mariano},
title = {L-carnitine decreases severity and type of fatigue induced by interferon-alpha in the treatment of patients with hepatitis C.},
journal = {Neuropsychobiology},
year = {2003},
doi = {10.1159/000070016},
note = {PubMed: 12707492},
url = {https://www.mecfsatlas.com/evidence/neri-2003-carnitine-decreases},
}Atlas snapshot reference
ME/CFS Atlas. Generator v1 / Scanner v1.4 / policy v0.1. Accessed 2026-05-30. https://www.mecfsatlas.com/evidence/neri-2003-carnitine-decreases
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