ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

2423 studies

1281–1300 of 2,423 studies

E3 PreliminaryDiagnosticPEM not requiredMethods-Paper

Presence of murine leukemia virus (MLV)-related virus gene sequences in a commercial RT-PCR reagent.

Wolff, Dietmar, Gerritzen, Andreas·Clinical laboratory·2011

Researchers were trying to develop a test to detect a virus (MLV-related virus) that some studies claimed was found in ME/CFS patients. However, they discovered that their test was giving false positive results—meaning it was detecting the virus when it wasn't actually there. The problem came from contamination in a commercial reagent (a chemical kit) they were using, which helps explain why different research groups were getting different results.

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM unclear

Analysis of XMRV integration sites from human prostate cancer tissues suggests PCR contamination rather than genuine human infection.

Garson, Jeremy A, Kellam, Paul, Towers, Greg J·Retrovirology·2011

This study examined whether XMRV, a virus previously claimed to be found in ME/CFS patients, was actually present in human tissue samples. Researchers found that some of the viral DNA sequences reported as coming from patients were actually identical to sequences from viruses grown in a laboratory dish in the same lab, suggesting the samples were contaminated during testing rather than representing real human infection.

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Analysis of cerebrospinal fluid from chronic fatigue syndrome patients for multiple human ubiquitous viruses and xenotropic murine leukemia-related virus.

Schutzer, Steven E, Rounds, Megan A, Natelson, Benjamin H et al.·Annals of neurology·2011

Researchers tested cerebrospinal fluid (the fluid around the brain and spinal cord) from 43 ME/CFS patients to look for XMRV, a virus that some earlier studies suggested might be present in ME/CFS patients' blood. They also tested for several other common viruses. The study found none of these viruses in the cerebrospinal fluid, suggesting that if a virus is involved in ME/CFS, it may work differently than previously thought.

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

The common immunogenic etiology of chronic fatigue syndrome: from infections to vaccines via adjuvants to the ASIA syndrome.

Rosenblum, Hemda, Shoenfeld, Yehuda, Amital, Howard·Infectious disease clinics of North America·2011

ME/CFS is a long-lasting illness of extreme fatigue and other symptoms that often starts suddenly like a flu. This review examines several theories about what might cause ME/CFS, including infections, genetic factors, hormone problems, immune system dysfunction, and psychological stress. The authors discuss a newer condition called ASIA syndrome, which involves autoimmune reactions that may be triggered by vaccine adjuvants (ingredients added to vaccines to boost immune response).

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM not required

Decades of delayed diagnosis in 4 levodopa-responsive young-onset monogenetic parkinsonism patients.

Ling, Helen, Braschinsky, Mark, Taba, Pille et al.·Movement disorders : official journal of the Movement Disorder Society·2011

This study describes four young patients who were initially misdiagnosed with psychological movement disorders or chronic fatigue syndrome, but actually had a genetic form of Parkinson's disease. Their misdiagnosis lasted 10 to 23 years before the correct diagnosis was made. Once they received the correct treatment with levodopa medication, they all improved significantly, showing that the right diagnosis and treatment can make a major difference.

Diagnostics

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Beyond the serotonin hypothesis: mitochondria, inflammation and neurodegeneration in major depression and affective spectrum disorders.

Gardner, Ann, Boles, Richard G·Progress in neuro-psychopharmacology & biological psychiatry·2011

For decades, doctors believed depression was caused by low serotonin levels in the brain, but research hasn't proven this is true. This review proposes that depression and related conditions like ME/CFS, fibromyalgia, and IBS may actually stem from problems with how cells produce energy (mitochondrial dysfunction) combined with inflammation in the body. The authors suggest that common depression medications work through multiple pathways—not just serotonin—and that targeting mitochondrial health might help treat these overlapping conditions.

Energy Metabolism

E3 PreliminaryDiagnosticPEM not requiredObservational

Supervised selection of single nucleotide polymorphisms in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Cifuentes, Ricardo A, Barreto, Emiliano·Biomedica : revista del Instituto Nacional de Salud·2011

This study examined whether specific genetic variations (single nucleotide polymorphisms or SNPs) could help predict who has ME/CFS. Researchers used a mathematical approach to identify the most useful genetic markers and found a combination of two genetic variants that correctly identified ME/CFS in about 73% of cases. When this genetic profile was combined with specific symptoms like muscle pain or sinus problems, the accuracy improved to over 87%.

Biomarkers

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Depression's multiple comorbidities explained by (neuro)inflammatory and oxidative & nitrosative stress pathways.

Maes, Michael, Kubera, Marta, Obuchowiczwa, Ewa et al.·Neuro endocrinology letters·2011

This review explains why depression often occurs alongside many other diseases, including ME/CFS, autoimmune conditions, heart disease, and neurodegenerative disorders. The common link appears to be activation of inflammatory and oxidative stress pathways in both the brain and body. These pathways may act like a 'warning system' that produces depression symptoms such as fatigue, anxiety, and physical discomfort when the body detects a threat.

NeuroinflammationImmune System

E3 PreliminaryDiagnosticPEM unclearMethods-Paper

DNA extraction columns contaminated with murine sequences.

Erlwein, Otto, Robinson, Mark J, Dustan, Simon et al.·PloS one·2011

Researchers discovered that the plastic columns used to extract and purify DNA in laboratory tests were contaminated with mouse DNA sequences. When they used these contaminated columns and ran sensitive DNA detection tests, they got false positive results that looked like they had found viral sequences (XMRV) when they actually hadn't. This is important because some earlier studies claimed to find XMRV in ME/CFS patients, but this contamination problem means those results may have been unreliable.

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

Irritable bowel syndrome and other functional gastrointestinal disorders.

Şimşek, Ilkay·Journal of clinical gastroenterology·2011

This review examines irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and related digestive disorders that cause symptoms like abnormal gut movement and pain sensitivity. The authors found that many people with these conditions also have other illnesses, including ME/CFS and fibromyalgia, suggesting shared underlying causes. Changes in gut bacteria and immune system activity may play an important role in these overlapping conditions.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredCase-Control

Polymorphisms of adrenergic cardiovascular control genes are associated with adolescent chronic fatigue syndrome.

Sommerfeldt, Line, Portilla, Helene, Jacobsen, Line et al.·Acta paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992)·2011

This study looked at genetic differences in genes that control how the body responds to stress and manages heart rate and blood pressure in teenagers with ME/CFS. Researchers found that people with ME/CFS were more likely to have certain genetic variations in two specific genes (COMT and the β₂-adrenergic receptor) compared to healthy people. These genetic differences may affect how well the body's autonomic nervous system (which controls automatic body functions) works during physical stress.

Autonomic Nervous System

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

The search for reliable biomarkers of disease in multiple chemical sensitivity and other environmental intolerances.

De Luca, Chiara, Raskovic, Desanka, Pacifico, Valeria et al.·International journal of environmental research and public health·2011

This review examines why some people develop severe reactions to chemicals, foods, and environmental exposures at levels that shouldn't cause harm. The authors argue these conditions—including ME/CFS, fibromyalgia, and multiple chemical sensitivity—are real biological disorders, not just psychological problems. They explore evidence that problems with how the body detoxifies and handles harmful substances, along with imbalances in antioxidant protection, may be key to understanding these diseases.

Energy Metabolism

E3 PreliminaryBehavioralPEM unclear

Challenges of nurse delivery of psychological interventions for long-term conditions in primary care: a qualitative exploration of the case of chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalitis.

Peters, Sarah, Wearden, Alison, Morriss, Richard et al.·Implementation science : IS·2011

This study looked at what happens when nurses without specialist psychology training deliver talking therapies to ME/CFS patients in regular doctor's offices. Researchers interviewed nurses, their supervisors, and 46 patients to understand the challenges that came up. They found four main problems: nurses were new to doing therapy work, patients were sometimes reluctant to engage with the treatment approach, nurses struggled with managing emotional conversations, and the primary care setting itself created complications.

E3 PreliminaryTrialPEM requiredRCT

Serotonergic descending inhibition in chronic pain: design, preliminary results and early cessation of a randomized controlled trial.

Meeus, Mira, Ickmans, Kelly, De Clerck, Luc S et al.·In vivo (Athens, Greece)·2011

Researchers wanted to test whether a medication called citalopram (which affects serotonin, a brain chemical) could help reduce pain during exercise in people with ME/CFS and fibromyalgia. However, the study had to stop early because participants experienced significant side effects from the medication and one person with ME/CFS developed severe post-exertional malaise (worsening of symptoms after activity). Because of these problems, the researchers couldn't complete the study or reach any conclusions about whether the treatment worked.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

Role of infection and neurologic dysfunction in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Komaroff, Anthony L, Cho, Tracey A·Seminars in neurology·2011

This review examines the connection between infections and ME/CFS, looking at decades of cases where people developed long-lasting fatigue after infections. The authors found evidence that certain viruses and bacteria can cause persistent infections that trigger and maintain ME/CFS symptoms by affecting the nervous system and triggering ongoing immune responses. While no single infection has been proven to cause ME/CFS in all cases, the pattern suggests that chronic infections may be important triggers in some people with the illness.

Neuroinflammation

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM unclearMechanistic

An Etiological Model for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Jason, Leonard A, Sorenson, Matthew, Porter, Nicole et al.·Neuroscience and medicine·2011

This study proposes that ME/CFS may develop through a process called 'kindling,' where the brain becomes increasingly sensitive to stress after repeated infections or injuries. Think of it like a fire alarm that has been triggered so many times it stays in an oversensitive state. Once this happens, the brain's stress system stays highly activated even without new triggers, which could explain why ME/CFS patients have such persistent symptoms.

Neuroinflammation

E3 PreliminaryDiagnosticPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Fatigue Scales and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Issues of Sensitivity and Specificity.

Jason, Leonard A, Evans, Meredyth, Brown, Molly et al.·Disability studies quarterly·2011

This study tested different questionnaires and scales designed to measure fatigue in ME/CFS patients to see how well they could identify people with the disease. Researchers found that most common fatigue measurement tools didn't work very well—some were good at spotting sick people but missed others, or vice versa. The most promising tool was a specific question about fatigue that gets worse after physical activity, which is a key feature of ME/CFS.

Diagnostics

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredMechanistic

Functional genomics of serotonin receptor 2A (HTR2A): interaction of polymorphism, methylation, expression and disease association.

Falkenberg, Virginia R, Gurbaxani, Brian M, Unger, Elizabeth R et al.·Neuromolecular medicine·2011

This study looked at how a specific genetic variation in the serotonin receptor 2A gene (HTR2A) affects how active this gene is in people with ME/CFS. The researchers found that this gene is turned up (overactive) in ME/CFS patients, and that this overactivity is influenced by both the genetic variant someone inherits and how stress hormones like cortisol affect the gene's activity. Think of it like a volume knob on a radio that can be turned up or down depending on your genes and stress levels.

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM unclearMechanistic

XMRV: usage of receptors and potential co-receptors.

Setty, Mohan Kumar Haleyur Giri, Devadas, Krishnakumar, Ragupathy, Viswanath et al.·Virology journal·2011

Scientists studied how a virus called XMRV enters and infects human cells, particularly immune cells. They found that while this virus is known to use one main doorway (called XPR1) to get into cells, it can also use other doorways, including ones normally used by immune system molecules called chemokine receptors. This suggests the virus may be more flexible at infecting different types of cells than previously thought.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM unclearMechanistic

The left half of the XMRV retrovirus is present in an endogenous retrovirus of NIH/3T3 Swiss mouse cells.

Mendoza, Ramon, Vaughan, Andrew E, Miller, A Dusty·Journal of virology·2011

Scientists searched for where XMRV (a virus once suspected in ME/CFS) might have originally come from by looking in mouse cells. They found a piece of XMRV in mouse DNA but not a complete virus. This discovery suggests XMRV has mouse origins and warns that lab contamination from mouse cells could create false positive results when testing for this virus.

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Presence of murine leukemia virus (MLV)-related virus gene sequences in a commercial RT-PCR reagent.

Analysis of XMRV integration sites from human prostate cancer tissues suggests PCR contamination rather than genuine human infection.

Analysis of cerebrospinal fluid from chronic fatigue syndrome patients for multiple human ubiquitous viruses and xenotropic murine leukemia-related virus.

The common immunogenic etiology of chronic fatigue syndrome: from infections to vaccines via adjuvants to the ASIA syndrome.

Decades of delayed diagnosis in 4 levodopa-responsive young-onset monogenetic parkinsonism patients.

Beyond the serotonin hypothesis: mitochondria, inflammation and neurodegeneration in major depression and affective spectrum disorders.

Supervised selection of single nucleotide polymorphisms in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Depression's multiple comorbidities explained by (neuro)inflammatory and oxidative & nitrosative stress pathways.

DNA extraction columns contaminated with murine sequences.

Irritable bowel syndrome and other functional gastrointestinal disorders.

Polymorphisms of adrenergic cardiovascular control genes are associated with adolescent chronic fatigue syndrome.

The search for reliable biomarkers of disease in multiple chemical sensitivity and other environmental intolerances.

Challenges of nurse delivery of psychological interventions for long-term conditions in primary care: a qualitative exploration of the case of chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalitis.

Serotonergic descending inhibition in chronic pain: design, preliminary results and early cessation of a randomized controlled trial.

Role of infection and neurologic dysfunction in chronic fatigue syndrome.

An Etiological Model for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Fatigue Scales and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Issues of Sensitivity and Specificity.

Functional genomics of serotonin receptor 2A (HTR2A): interaction of polymorphism, methylation, expression and disease association.

XMRV: usage of receptors and potential co-receptors.

The left half of the XMRV retrovirus is present in an endogenous retrovirus of NIH/3T3 Swiss mouse cells.

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