Patarca-Montero, R, Antoni, M, Fletcher, M A et al. · Applied neuropsychology · 2001 · DOI
This study looked at immune system markers in ME/CFS patients and found that their immune cells show signs of being overactive, with abnormal patterns of immune signaling molecules called cytokines. The researchers propose that when stress and difficult emotions interact with this immune dysfunction, they can perpetuate the cycle of fatigue, cognitive problems, and other symptoms seen in ME/CFS.
This work provides a theoretical framework integrating immune dysfunction with psychological factors to explain why ME/CFS becomes chronic, suggesting that both biological and mental health interventions may be relevant. Understanding the interaction between immune markers and psychological stress could inform more comprehensive treatment approaches for this debilitating condition.
This study does not prove that psychological stress causes immune dysfunction in ME/CFS, nor does it establish the causal direction of relationships between immune markers and symptoms. The proposed model is theoretical and was not prospectively tested; correlation between immune markers and symptom burden does not confirm the mechanistic pathway described.
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
Patarca-Montero, R, Antoni, M, Fletcher, M A, & Klimas, N G (2001). Cytokine and other immunologic markers in chronic fatigue syndrome and their relation to neuropsychological factors.. Applied neuropsychology. https://doi.org/10.1207/S15324826AN0801_7
BibTeX
@article{mecfsatlas-patarca-montero-2001-cytokine-other,
author = {Patarca-Montero, R and Antoni, M and Fletcher, M A and Klimas, N G},
title = {Cytokine and other immunologic markers in chronic fatigue syndrome and their relation to neuropsychological factors.},
journal = {Applied neuropsychology},
year = {2001},
doi = {10.1207/S15324826AN0801_7},
note = {PubMed: 11388124},
url = {https://www.mecfsatlas.com/evidence/patarca-montero-2001-cytokine-other},
}Atlas snapshot reference
ME/CFS Atlas. Generator v1 / Scanner v1.4 / policy v0.1. Accessed 2026-05-30. https://www.mecfsatlas.com/evidence/patarca-montero-2001-cytokine-other
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