ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

2420 studies

1301–1320 of 2,420 studies

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Phylogeny-directed search for murine leukemia virus-like retroviruses in vertebrate genomes and in patients suffering from myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome and prostate cancer.

Blomberg, Jonas, Sheikholvaezin, Ali, Elfaitouri, Amal et al.·Advances in virology·2011

This study examined whether certain viruses similar to mouse leukemia virus (XMRV and related viruses) might be found in people with ME/CFS and prostate cancer. The researchers reviewed what is known about these virus-like sequences across different animal species and discussed why it's been difficult to confirm whether humans are actually infected with these viruses. They highlighted that contamination from mouse DNA in lab samples can create false positive results, making it challenging to determine if these viruses genuinely cause disease in humans.

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredMechanistic

No evidence of murine leukemia virus-related viruses in live attenuated human vaccines.

Switzer, William M, Zheng, Haoqiang, Simmons, Graham et al.·PloS one·2011

Researchers tested 8 common vaccines to see if they contained XMRV or related viruses that had been previously linked to ME/CFS. They used sensitive tests including genetic sequencing to look for these viruses. None of the vaccines contained XMRV or the related viruses they were looking for, suggesting vaccines are not a source of these viruses in people.

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredMechanistic

Nitric oxide modulation in protective role of antidepressants against chronic fatigue syndrome in mice.

Kumar, Anil, Garg, Ruchika, Gaur, Vaibhav et al.·Indian journal of pharmacology·2011

This study used mice exposed to repeated stress (forced swimming) to create a model similar to ME/CFS, then tested whether two common antidepressants could help. The researchers found that these antidepressants reduced fatigue-like behavior and signs of cellular damage in the brain, possibly by affecting a molecule called nitric oxide. The findings suggest antidepressants might work partly through protecting the brain from oxidative stress.

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.

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 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 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

[What's about overactive lifestyle in fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome].

Masquelier, E, Scaillet, N, Luminet, O et al.·Revue medicale suisse·2011

This study explores how being very active and 'driven' in lifestyle might contribute to both fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). While these are different conditions, they share similar root causes and can be made worse by pushing too hard. The authors suggest that doctors need to take a whole-person approach—considering physical, mental, and social factors together—to help patients find better balance and cope with ongoing pain and activity.

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredMechanistic

Sleep and fatigue in mice infected with murine gammaherpesvirus 68.

Olivadoti, Melissa D, Weinberg, Jason B, Toth, Linda A et al.·Brain, behavior, and immunity·2011

Researchers infected mice with a virus similar to one that has been linked to chronic fatigue syndrome in humans. They found that infected mice showed fatigue-like symptoms (reduced activity, altered sleep and body temperature) during the first 1-2 weeks of infection. Notably, when these mice were given a bacterial toxin challenge a month later, they had much stronger and longer-lasting reactions than uninfected mice, suggesting that latent viral infection may make the body oversensitive to future immune challenges.

Immune 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 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 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 PreliminaryCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

Adrenal histoplasmosis: a case series and review of the literature.

Larbcharoensub, Noppadol, Boonsakan, Paisarn, Aroonroch, Rangsima et al.·The Southeast Asian journal of tropical medicine and public health·2011

This study describes seven cases of a rare fungal infection (histoplasmosis) that affected the adrenal glands—small organs that help manage stress and energy in the body. All patients experienced chronic fatigue as their main symptom, and most recovered after treatment. While this infection is uncommon, it shows that certain fungal infections can cause fatigue-like illness and should be considered when evaluating patients with unexplained chronic tiredness.

E3 PreliminaryDiagnosticPEM not requiredMethods-Paper

Classifying medication use in clinical research.

Rizzo, Dorrie, Creti, Laura, Bailes, Sally et al.·Journal of primary care & community health·2011

Researchers created a simple system for organizing and grouping the medicines that patients take during medical studies. They tested this organizational method on patients with ME/CFS and sleep apnea to see if different groups of patients tend to take different combinations of medications. They found five main medicine categories, and importantly, the pattern of medicines taken by ME/CFS patients was quite different from sleep apnea patients, possibly reflecting different views about what causes these conditions.

E3 PreliminaryBehavioralPEM not requiredCase-Control

Pain neurophysiology education improves cognitions, pain thresholds, and movement performance in people with chronic whiplash: a pilot study.

Van Oosterwijck, Jessica, Nijs, Jo, Meeus, Mira et al.·Journal of rehabilitation research and development·2011

This small study tested whether teaching patients with chronic neck pain from whiplash about how pain works in the body could help them feel better. Six patients received this education, and researchers found that afterward, patients had less fear of movement, used healthier coping strategies, reported less disability, and could move their necks with less pain.

Pain and Sensitization

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Chronic fatigue syndrome: a qualitative investigation of young patient's beliefs and coping strategies.

Hareide, Live, Finset, Arnstein, Wyller, Vegard Bruun·Disability and rehabilitation·2011

This study asked nine young people with ME/CFS about how they understood their illness and how they coped with it. Rather than using questionnaires, researchers had detailed conversations with each person. The young people showed more varied ways of thinking about their illness and dealing with it than researchers expected—some focused on physical causes, others on multiple factors, and they used different coping strategies depending on the situation.

E3 PreliminaryCommentaryPEM unclearEditorial

Diagnosis and management of fibromyalgia: how and why.

Hayhoe, Simon·Pain management·2011

Fibromyalgia is a condition causing widespread muscle pain, tiredness, and sleep problems that doctors still debate about. It shares some features with ME/CFS and may involve both physical changes in how the nervous system processes pain and psychological factors. Treatment typically includes certain antidepressants, anti-seizure medications, and talking therapy with gentle exercise, though most patients only get partial improvement.

Diagnostics

E3 PreliminaryBehavioralPEM unclearCase-Control

Adolescents with severe chronic fatigue syndrome can make a full recovery.

Burgess, Mary, Chalder, Trudie·BMJ case reports·2011

This case report describes a severely ill adolescent with ME/CFS who recovered with help from a rehabilitation program combined with strong family support. The study highlights that young people with severe ME/CFS, who are often confined to bed or home, can improve significantly with the right treatment approach and family involvement. The authors emphasize that many severely affected young people in the UK are not receiving adequate care for this serious illness.

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 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 not requiredMechanistic

Increased HDAC in association with decreased plasma cortisol in older adults with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Jason, Leonard, Sorenson, Matthew, Sebally, Kebba et al.·Brain, behavior, and immunity·2011

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.

Endocrine Disruption

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Phylogeny-directed search for murine leukemia virus-like retroviruses in vertebrate genomes and in patients suffering from myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome and prostate cancer.

No evidence of murine leukemia virus-related viruses in live attenuated human vaccines.

Nitric oxide modulation in protective role of antidepressants against chronic fatigue syndrome in mice.

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

XMRV: usage of receptors and potential co-receptors.

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

[What's about overactive lifestyle in fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome].

Sleep and fatigue in mice infected with murine gammaherpesvirus 68.

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

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

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

Adrenal histoplasmosis: a case series and review of the literature.

Classifying medication use in clinical research.

Pain neurophysiology education improves cognitions, pain thresholds, and movement performance in people with chronic whiplash: a pilot study.

Chronic fatigue syndrome: a qualitative investigation of young patient's beliefs and coping strategies.

Diagnosis and management of fibromyalgia: how and why.

Adolescents with severe chronic fatigue syndrome can make a full recovery.

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

Role of infection and neurologic dysfunction in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Increased HDAC in association with decreased plasma cortisol in older adults with chronic fatigue syndrome.

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