ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

2423 studies

2341–2360 of 2,423 studies

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM unclearObservational

Anti-neuronal antibody levels in chronic fatigue syndrome patients with neurologic abnormalities.

Buchwald, D, Wener, M H, Komaroff, A L·Arthritis and rheumatism·1991

This study looked at whether people with ME/CFS who have neurological symptoms (like problems with thinking or nerve function) have unusual antibodies in their blood that attack nerve cells. Researchers tested blood samples from ME/CFS patients and compared antibody levels between those with and without neurological problems. The goal was to understand whether immune system misdirection might be causing some of the neurological symptoms patients experience.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredMechanistic

Genomic polymorphism, growth properties, and immunologic variations in human herpesvirus-6 isolates.

Ablashi, D V, Balachandran, N, Josephs, S F et al.·Virology·1991

Researchers studied different versions of human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6), a virus found in people with various conditions including chronic fatigue syndrome. They found that HHV-6 comes in at least two distinct types—similar to how there are two types of cold sores—and these types behave differently in the lab, infecting different cell types and reacting differently to immune system antibodies.

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM not requiredObservational

Postinfectious chronic fatigue syndrome: case history of thirty-five patients in Germany.

Hilgers, A, Krueger, G R, Lembke, U et al.·In vivo (Athens, Greece)·1991

This study followed 35 ME/CFS patients in Germany for up to eight years and found that most experienced severe fatigue, joint and muscle pain, sore throats, and various other symptoms. Researchers found evidence of herpesvirus reactivation in about 73% of patients and Epstein-Barr virus in about 34%, suggesting ongoing viral activity may play a role in the condition. While treatments were tried including immune therapy and antiviral drugs, none consistently worked well, though immune globulin therapy showed the most promise.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

The chronic fatigue syndrome: a reappraisal and unifying hypothesis.

Byrne, E·Clinical and experimental neurology·1991

This 1991 review examined ME/CFS from multiple scientific angles—including viral infection, immune system problems, metabolism, and mental health—to understand why this condition develops. The authors proposed that ME/CFS typically results from a combination of factors: personal characteristics before illness (like psychological traits or immune vulnerabilities), a trigger (such as a virus), and how someone's emotions respond to being sick. Rather than having one single cause, ME/CFS appears to exist on a spectrum of different presentations.

E3 PreliminaryBehavioralPEM not requiredCase-Control

Seasonal affective disorder presenting as chronic fatigue syndrome.

Lam, R W·Canadian journal of psychiatry. Revue canadienne de psychiatrie·1991

This study describes two patients who were diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) but actually had seasonal affective disorder (SAD)—a type of depression that occurs during certain seasons. Both patients improved significantly when treated with light therapy rather than typical CFS treatments. The study highlights that depression, including seasonal depression, can look very similar to CFS and needs to be carefully ruled out before diagnosing CFS.

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Myalgic encephalomyelitis (chronic fatigue syndrome): an historic perspective.

Hyde, B M·Canada diseases weekly report = Rapport hebdomadaire des maladies au Canada·1991

This article provides a historical overview of myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME/CFS), tracing how the condition has been understood and documented over time. It examines the disease's recognition in medical literature and explores how ME/CFS has been characterized throughout history. This historical perspective helps patients and the public understand how medical understanding of this illness has evolved.

E3 PreliminaryBehavioralPEM not requiredObservational

Cognitive behaviour therapy in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Butler, S, Chalder, T, Ron, M et al.·Journal of neurology, neurosurgery, and psychiatry·1991

This study tested whether cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT)—a type of talk therapy focusing on thoughts and behaviors—could help 50 ME/CFS patients who had been sick for an average of five years. Patients received therapy aimed at identifying unhelpful beliefs about their symptoms and gradually returning to activities. The therapy led to meaningful improvements in fatigue, overall functioning, and mood, though some patients refused treatment.

Interventions

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

Testing of vestibular function: an adjunct in the assessment of chronic fatigue syndrome.

Furman, J M·Reviews of infectious diseases·1991

Many people with ME/CFS experience dizziness and balance problems, but doctors don't fully understand why. This study looked at whether problems with the inner ear (the system that helps control balance) might explain these symptoms. The researchers tested the vestibular system—which controls balance and eye movement—using specialized equipment to see if people with ME/CFS had measurable abnormalities in how this system works.

Autonomic Nervous System

E3 PreliminaryCommentaryPEM not requiredEditorial

Is chronic fatigue syndrome synonymous with effort syndrome?

Rosen, S D, King, J C, Wilkinson, J B et al.·Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine·1990

This 1990 study examined whether chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) might actually be caused by a breathing pattern problem called chronic hyperventilation. The researchers found that 93 out of 100 patients diagnosed with CFS showed signs of this breathing issue instead. They suggest doctors should check patients for hyperventilation problems before diagnosing them with ME or CFS.

Diagnostics

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM unclearObservational

Sensory and cognitive event-related potentials in myalgic encephalomyelitis.

Prasher, D, Smith, A, Findley, L·Journal of neurology, neurosurgery, and psychiatry·1990

This study tested whether ME/CFS patients have objective brain activity differences related to thinking and attention. Researchers used special sensors to measure how the brain responds to sounds and tasks requiring concentration. While basic sensory responses were normal, they found that brain signals related to attention and processing speed were slower in about one-third to one-half of patients tested, suggesting ME/CFS affects how the brain handles information rather than basic sensation.

Cognitive Impairment

E3 PreliminaryCommentaryPEM not requiredEditorial

Hyperventilation.

Paulley, J W·Recenti progressi in medicina·1990

This 1990 editorial argues that hyperventilation syndrome (rapid, shallow breathing) is often misdiagnosed as ME/CFS, and that doctors fail to recognize and properly treat it. The author suggests that many patients labeled with ME/CFS actually have hyperventilation triggered by psychological stress and unresolved emotional losses, and recommends treatment combining physiotherapy and psychological counseling.

E3 PreliminaryCommentaryPEM not requiredEditorial

[Chronic fatigue syndrome].

Ewig, S, Dengler, H J·Klinische Wochenschrift·1990

This paper discusses chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) as a condition that can develop after viral infections like Epstein-Barr virus or Coxsackie-B virus. Researchers noted that CFS may actually be several different diseases with different causes rather than one single condition. The authors emphasize that diagnosis requires ruling out other medical conditions first, and that at this time, we don't have enough knowledge to recommend specific treatments.

Diagnostics

E3 PreliminaryCommentaryPEM unclearEditorial

[Does fibromyalgia exist?].

Serratrice, G·Revue du rhumatisme et des maladies osteo-articulaires·1990

This 1990 editorial questions whether fibromyalgia is a distinct disease, noting that no actual tissue damage (fibrosis) has been found under microscopes. The author argues that fibromyalgia shares symptoms with other conditions like ME/CFS and suggests using the simpler term 'persistent, widespread muscle pain with no recognized organic cause' instead. The author found that only 25% of cases had a clear psychological cause, suggesting most cases have other unexplained factors.

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

[Chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia and depression].

Martin-Du-Pan, R·Revue medicale de la Suisse romande·1990

This 1990 review article examines the relationships between chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), fibromyalgia, and depression. The author discusses how these three conditions sometimes occur together and explores whether they share common features or causes. The paper helps clarify how ME/CFS and fibromyalgia are distinct from depression, even though all three can cause fatigue and other overlapping symptoms.

Diagnostics

E3 PreliminaryDiagnosticPEM not requiredMethods-Paper

Isolation of human herpesvirus-6 from clinical specimens using human fibroblast cultures.

Luka, J, Okano, M, Thiele, G·Journal of clinical laboratory analysis·1990

Researchers developed a better way to detect and study human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6) in blood samples by using a specific type of human cell culture. They successfully isolated HHV-6 from blood samples of three ME/CFS patients, along with samples from other patients with different conditions. The virus samples they found had some genetic differences from previously known HHV-6 strains.

E3 PreliminaryCommentaryPEM not requiredEditorial

[Chronic fatigue syndrome--a new disease picture?].

Nix, W A·Der Nervenarzt·1990

This editorial from 1990 discusses that ME/CFS was becoming more commonly diagnosed at that time, but doctors weren't sure if it was one distinct disease or simply a label given to many different conditions. The author notes that we still need to understand whether ME/CFS has a physical cause, a psychological cause, or both, and that each patient may need individual evaluation.

Diagnostics

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

[The chronic fatigue syndrome. A multifactorial approach and the treatment possibilities].

Pinardi, G, Scarlato, G·Recenti progressi in medicina·1990

This review describes ME/CFS as a complex condition marked by severe, long-lasting fatigue accompanied by symptoms like sore throat, headaches, muscle pain, and mood changes. While researchers have suspected viruses like Epstein-Barr virus might cause it, the evidence hasn't been convincing due to study design problems. The authors suggest the condition may result from an abnormal immune response rather than a single virus.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryCommentaryPEM not requiredEditorial

Neurasthenia in the 1980s: chronic mononucleosis, chronic fatigue syndrome, and anxiety and depressive disorders.

Greenberg, D B·Psychosomatics·1990

In the 1980s, doctors thought chronic fatigue syndrome might be caused by a virus called Epstein-Barr virus (the virus that causes mononucleosis). This editorial explains that while this seemed like a logical explanation, the virus is not actually the cause of chronic fatigue syndrome. The author points out that many people with chronic fatigue also have depression or anxiety, and notes that these mental health conditions should be carefully evaluated and treated rather than overlooked.

Diagnostics

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

The chronic fatigue syndrome: a return to common sense.

Denman, A M·Postgraduate medical journal·1990

This 1990 opinion piece argues that ME/CFS should be understood through practical, straightforward clinical observation rather than overly complex theories. The author advocates for a 'common sense' approach to recognizing and managing the condition based on what doctors actually observe in patients.

Diagnostics

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Old wine in new bottles: neurasthenia and 'ME'.

Wessely, S·Psychological medicine·1990

This paper compares ME/CFS with an older condition called neurasthenia that was common in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Both illnesses share similar symptoms of extreme fatigue and were popular diagnoses when people believed they were caused by physical (not mental) problems and affected successful, hardworking people. The author argues that understanding ME/CFS requires looking at both brain biology and social factors, not just one or the other.

Diagnostics

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Evidence browser

Anti-neuronal antibody levels in chronic fatigue syndrome patients with neurologic abnormalities.

Genomic polymorphism, growth properties, and immunologic variations in human herpesvirus-6 isolates.

Postinfectious chronic fatigue syndrome: case history of thirty-five patients in Germany.

The chronic fatigue syndrome: a reappraisal and unifying hypothesis.

Seasonal affective disorder presenting as chronic fatigue syndrome.

Myalgic encephalomyelitis (chronic fatigue syndrome): an historic perspective.

Cognitive behaviour therapy in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Testing of vestibular function: an adjunct in the assessment of chronic fatigue syndrome.

Is chronic fatigue syndrome synonymous with effort syndrome?

Sensory and cognitive event-related potentials in myalgic encephalomyelitis.

Hyperventilation.

[Chronic fatigue syndrome].

[Does fibromyalgia exist?].

[Chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia and depression].

Isolation of human herpesvirus-6 from clinical specimens using human fibroblast cultures.

[Chronic fatigue syndrome--a new disease picture?].

[The chronic fatigue syndrome. A multifactorial approach and the treatment possibilities].

Neurasthenia in the 1980s: chronic mononucleosis, chronic fatigue syndrome, and anxiety and depressive disorders.

The chronic fatigue syndrome: a return to common sense.

Old wine in new bottles: neurasthenia and 'ME'.

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