ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

2422 studies

1381–1400 of 2,422 studies

E3 PreliminaryDiagnosticPEM not requiredMethods-Paper

Readability of patient and health care professional targeted dietary supplement leaflets used for diabetes and chronic fatigue syndrome.

Clauson, Kevin A, Zeng-Treitler, Qing, Kandula, Sasikiran·Journal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, N.Y.)·2010

This study examined whether instruction sheets about dietary supplements for diabetes and ME/CFS are written in a way that patients can easily understand. Researchers found that most of these leaflets are written at a college level (13th grade), far harder than the recommended 6th-grade level. This difficulty may make it harder for patients to understand important information and follow recommendations.

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredMechanistic

Possible role of oxidative stress and immunological activation in mouse model of chronic fatigue syndrome and its attenuation by olive extract.

Gupta, Amit, Vij, Garima, Chopra, Kanwaljit·Journal of neuroimmunology·2010

Researchers used mice to study whether oxidative stress (chemical damage in cells) and immune activation play a role in ME/CFS-like symptoms. They found that mice treated with immune-triggering substances showed increased fatigue and pain sensitivity, along with signs of cellular damage. When given olive extract, these mice showed improvement in fatigue, pain, and markers of cellular damage.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryDiagnosticPEM unclearMethods-Paper

Mouse DNA contamination in human tissue tested for XMRV.

Robinson, Mark J, Erlwein, Otto W, Kaye, Steve et al.·Retrovirology·2010

Researchers tested human prostate cancer tissue samples for a virus called XMRV that had been linked to both cancer and ME/CFS. They found that many samples were contaminated with mouse DNA, which can create false positive results. This study shows why it's crucial to carefully check for contamination when looking for viruses in human tissue samples.

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Idiopathic environmental intolerances (IEI): from molecular epidemiology to molecular medicine.

De Luca, C, Scordo, G, Cesareo, E et al.·Indian journal of experimental biology·2010

Some people with ME/CFS and related conditions may have difficulty processing chemicals, metals, and other substances they encounter in the environment because of inherited or acquired differences in how their bodies handle these toxins. This review suggests that genetic variations affecting enzymes responsible for detoxifying chemicals, combined with problems in the body's antioxidant systems, might explain why some people react strongly to very small amounts of environmental exposures. Understanding these biological mechanisms could help develop personalized treatments.

Pain and Sensitization

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Reduced pressure pain thresholds in response to exercise in chronic fatigue syndrome but not in chronic low back pain: an experimental study.

Meeus, Mira, Roussel, Nathalie A, Truijen, Steven et al.·Journal of rehabilitation medicine·2010

This study compared how people with ME/CFS, chronic back pain, and healthy people respond to exercise. Researchers found that people with ME/CFS have more sensitive pain responses than others, and importantly, their pain sensitivity got worse after light exercise—opposite to what happened in the other groups. This suggests ME/CFS involves different pain processing in the nervous system.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

[Human herpesvirus 6].

Ongrádi, József, Kövesdi, Valéria, Medveczky, G Péter·Orvosi hetilap·2010

Human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) is a common virus that most people catch in early childhood, usually causing mild symptoms or no symptoms at all. The virus stays dormant in your body for life but can reactivate, especially if your immune system is weakened. Research suggests HHV-6 may play a role in ME/CFS and other serious conditions, possibly by changing how your immune system produces certain signaling molecules.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredMechanistic

Apobec 3G efficiently reduces infectivity of the human exogenous gammaretrovirus XMRV.

Stieler, Kristin, Fischer, Nicole·PloS one·2010

This study examined how a virus called XMRV (which has been suspected in ME/CFS) interacts with human immune defense proteins called Apobec3 proteins. Researchers found that one specific immune protein, called A3G, is very effective at stopping XMRV from infecting cells and spreading. Interestingly, cancer cells that are easily infected by XMRV don't produce much of this protective A3G protein.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

The role of corticosteroids and stress in chronic pain conditions.

McEwen, Bruce S, Kalia, Madhu·Metabolism: clinical and experimental·2010

This review explores how stress hormones (corticosteroids) and the body's stress response system affect chronic pain conditions, including ME/CFS. The authors explain that these hormones can have surprising and contradictory effects—sometimes reducing pain, sometimes increasing it—depending on the dose and where they act in the body. They examine how chronic stress and nervous system changes in conditions like ME/CFS, fibromyalgia, and IBS may be linked to pain through brain changes and immune system activity.

Pain and Sensitization

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredObservational

Cytokines across the night in chronic fatigue syndrome with and without fibromyalgia.

Nakamura, Toru, Schwander, Stephan K, Donnelly, Robert et al.·Clinical and vaccine immunology : CVI·2010

Researchers studied immune signaling molecules called cytokines in people with ME/CFS and fibromyalgia while they slept in a lab, comparing them to healthy people. Instead of finding signs of excessive inflammation (which some theories predicted), they found slightly elevated levels of a calming immune molecule called interleukin-10. These small changes might help explain why many ME/CFS patients struggle with disrupted sleep.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredMechanistic

Effects of exercise on behavior and peripheral blood lymphocyte apoptosis in a rat model of chronic fatigue syndrome.

Zou, Jun, Yuan, Jianqi, Lv, Shuang et al.·Journal of Huazhong University of Science and Technology. Medical sciences = Hua zhong ke ji da xue xue bao. Yi xue Ying De wen ban = Huazhong keji daxue xuebao. Yixue Yingdewen ban·2010

Researchers created a rat model of ME/CFS using stress and shock, then tested whether exercise could help. Rats with the CFS-like condition showed decreased activity, memory problems, and abnormal immune cell death. When stressed rats were given access to a running wheel, their activity improved and their immune cell death decreased, suggesting exercise may help counteract some effects of the condition.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM not requiredObservational

Making the diagnosis of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalitis in primary care: a qualitative study.

Chew-Graham, Carolyn, Dowrick, Christopher, Wearden, Alison et al.·BMC family practice·2010

This study asked 22 general practitioners (GPs) about their experiences diagnosing ME/CFS in their clinics. GPs said they find it hard to understand what ME/CFS is, and they typically focus on ruling out other diseases rather than confidently saying a patient has ME/CFS. Many GPs worried that giving someone an ME/CFS diagnosis might actually harm them, and they weren't sure what to do to help these patients once diagnosed.

Diagnostics

E3 PreliminaryBehavioralPEM not required

Using a DVD to help people with chronic fatigue syndrome learn the technique of pacing.

Weston, Sarah, Townsend, Stella·Nursing times·2009

A specialist rehabilitation team in Shropshire created a DVD and booklet to teach people with ME/CFS about pacing—a technique that involves carefully balancing rest and activity to manage fatigue. This resource was designed to help patients better understand and practice pacing in their daily lives. The team found that these educational materials helped them support their patients more effectively.

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Are chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia the same? Implications for the provision of appropriate mental health intervention.

McKay, P G, Duffy, T, Martin, C R·Journal of psychiatric and mental health nursing·2009

This review examines whether ME/CFS and fibromyalgia are actually the same condition or two different diseases. Both conditions cause fatigue and pain, and both often come with mental health challenges like depression or anxiety. The authors suggest that these conditions might share the same root cause, yet doctors currently treat them quite differently, which could affect the mental health support patients receive.

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

[Immunologic disturbances can explain chronic fatigue syndrome. Biological findings point towards somatogenesis].

Gottfries, Carl-Gerhard, Matousek, Michael, Zachrisson, Olof·Lakartidningen·2009

This review article examines how problems with the immune system may explain why people with ME/CFS experience persistent fatigue and other symptoms. The authors argue that biological evidence supports the idea that ME/CFS is a real physical illness rather than a psychological one, with immune system disturbances playing a central role in the condition.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryDiagnosticPEM not requiredMethods-Paper

A Bayesian approach to gene-gene and gene-environment interactions in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Lin, Eugene, Hsu, Sen-Yen·Pharmacogenomics·2009

Researchers used advanced statistical methods to look for interactions between genes and between genes and environmental factors (like age, sex, and weight) in ME/CFS patients. They found that a gene called NR3C1 appeared to be involved in patterns that might be related to ME/CFS, and that gender seemed to influence how this gene affected the condition. This suggests that ME/CFS likely develops from a combination of genetic and personal factors rather than from a single cause.

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

Chronic fatigue syndrome: a hormonal origin? A rare case of dysmenorrhea membranacea.

Veldman, Joan, Van Houdenhove, Boudewijn, Verguts, Jasper·Archives of gynecology and obstetrics·2009

This case describes a woman with chronic fatigue syndrome who developed a rare condition called membranous dysmenorrhea (where the uterine lining sheds in one piece) after starting a hormonal birth control pill. Interestingly, when she stopped the medication and the tissue was expelled, her fatigue symptoms completely disappeared and she was able to return to work. While this is just one patient's experience, it raises the possibility that hormone imbalances might contribute to chronic fatigue in some cases.

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredMechanistic

[Activity of hypotnalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis by induction of experimental chronic fatigue syndrom].

Fomicheva, E E, Filatenkova, T A, Rybakina, E G·Rossiiskii fiziologicheskii zhurnal imeni I.M. Sechenova·2009

Researchers used an animal model to study how ME/CFS might affect the stress hormone system in the body. They gave rats a substance that mimics a viral infection, then tested whether the animals' adrenal glands (which produce cortisol, the main stress hormone) still responded normally. They found that the stress hormone system became less responsive, suggesting that an infection-like trigger could disrupt how the body regulates stress hormones.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Inflammatory and oxidative and nitrosative stress pathways underpinning chronic fatigue, somatization and psychosomatic symptoms.

Maes, Michael·Current opinion in psychiatry·2009

This review examines how inflammation and stress on cells (caused by harmful molecules) may explain ME/CFS symptoms. The authors argue that various triggers—like infections, stress, intense exercise, and a 'leaky gut'—can activate these inflammatory pathways inside cells, leading to the pain, fatigue, muscle tension, and other symptoms that ME/CFS patients experience. They suggest that treating these inflammatory pathways could help develop new medicines for ME/CFS.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM not requiredObservational

When a parent is chronically ill: chronic fatigue syndrome.

Donalek, Julie G·Nursing research·2009

This study interviewed 8 parents with ME/CFS and their family members to understand how the illness affects everyone at home. Families described struggling to get a diagnosis, dealing with changed roles and responsibilities, losing income, feeling isolated, and trying to maintain normal family life despite ongoing uncertainty about the illness.

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredMechanistic

Astragalus membranaceus flavonoids (AMF) ameliorate chronic fatigue syndrome induced by food intake restriction plus forced swimming.

Kuo, Yao-Haur, Tsai, Wei-Jern, Loke, Soy-Hwee et al.·Journal of ethnopharmacology·2009

This study tested whether a natural plant supplement called Astragalus membranaceus flavonoids (AMF) could help rats with chronic fatigue caused by stress and food restriction. The rats that received AMF showed improvements in immune function, better energy for swimming, and restored normal immune system balance compared to untreated fatigued rats.

Immune System

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Evidence browser

Readability of patient and health care professional targeted dietary supplement leaflets used for diabetes and chronic fatigue syndrome.

Possible role of oxidative stress and immunological activation in mouse model of chronic fatigue syndrome and its attenuation by olive extract.

Mouse DNA contamination in human tissue tested for XMRV.

Idiopathic environmental intolerances (IEI): from molecular epidemiology to molecular medicine.

Reduced pressure pain thresholds in response to exercise in chronic fatigue syndrome but not in chronic low back pain: an experimental study.

[Human herpesvirus 6].

Apobec 3G efficiently reduces infectivity of the human exogenous gammaretrovirus XMRV.

The role of corticosteroids and stress in chronic pain conditions.

Cytokines across the night in chronic fatigue syndrome with and without fibromyalgia.

Effects of exercise on behavior and peripheral blood lymphocyte apoptosis in a rat model of chronic fatigue syndrome.

Making the diagnosis of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalitis in primary care: a qualitative study.

Using a DVD to help people with chronic fatigue syndrome learn the technique of pacing.

Are chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia the same? Implications for the provision of appropriate mental health intervention.

[Immunologic disturbances can explain chronic fatigue syndrome. Biological findings point towards somatogenesis].

A Bayesian approach to gene-gene and gene-environment interactions in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Chronic fatigue syndrome: a hormonal origin? A rare case of dysmenorrhea membranacea.

[Activity of hypotnalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis by induction of experimental chronic fatigue syndrom].

Inflammatory and oxidative and nitrosative stress pathways underpinning chronic fatigue, somatization and psychosomatic symptoms.

When a parent is chronically ill: chronic fatigue syndrome.

Astragalus membranaceus flavonoids (AMF) ameliorate chronic fatigue syndrome induced by food intake restriction plus forced swimming.

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