Evidence browser

E3 PreliminaryBehavioralPEM unclear

Electro-encephalographic investigations in myalgic encephalomyelitis.

Pampiglione, G, Harris, R, Kennedy, J·Postgraduate medical journal·1978

Researchers used EEG brain scans to study 36 young adults and 12 children with ME/CFS from the 1950s-1970s. They found that the brain activity patterns were slightly abnormal and varied between patients, suggesting that ME/CFS affects how the brain functions. The study suggests that future research should include regular EEG monitoring over 2-3 years to better understand these brain changes.

Benign myalgic encephalomyelitis.

Ramsay, A M·The British journal of psychiatry : the journal of mental science·1973

This 1973 paper by A.M. Ramsay describes myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) as a benign condition affecting the nervous system and muscles. The author documented clinical observations of patients experiencing fatigue, muscle pain, and neurological symptoms. This early work helped establish ME as a distinct medical condition rather than a psychiatric illness.

E3 PreliminaryBehavioralPEM unclear

Benign myalgic encephalomyelitis.

Parish, J G·The British journal of psychiatry : the journal of mental science·1973

This 1973 study by Parish examined benign myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), an early medical observation of the condition. The researcher documented cases of ME as a distinct medical illness. This historical paper represents one of the early clinical descriptions of the disease in the medical literature.

Encephalomyelitis resembling benign myalgic encephalomyelitis.

Innes, S G·Lancet (London, England)·1970

This 1970 case report described patients with symptoms resembling myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), including muscle pain, fatigue, and neurological symptoms. The study documented clinical presentations that looked similar to what we now call ME/CFS, helping establish early recognition of this condition in medical literature.

Benign myalgic encephalomyelitis.

The Medical journal of Australia·1970

This 1970 study examined cases of myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), a condition causing muscle pain and fatigue. The researchers documented patient experiences and clinical features of the illness. This early medical documentation helped establish ME as a recognized clinical condition worthy of scientific investigation.

E3 PreliminaryCommentaryPEM not requiredEditorial

Encephalomyelitis resembling benign myalgic encephalomyelitis.

Lyle, W H·Lancet (London, England)·1970

This 1970 case study from The Lancet described patients with symptoms resembling myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), a condition causing extreme tiredness, muscle pain, and brain fog. The researchers documented clinical cases to help doctors recognize and understand this illness pattern, which was not well-known at the time.

Concept of benign myalgic encephalomyelitis.

McEvedy, C P, Beard, A W·British medical journal·1970

This 1970 study reviewed 15 reported outbreaks of myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) and concluded that many of these cases may have been caused by mass hysteria or misdiagnosis rather than a physical disease. The authors suggested that future similar cases should be called 'myalgia nervosa' to reflect a psychological rather than biological cause. This interpretation is now considered outdated, as modern research has identified real biological abnormalities in ME/CFS.

E3 PreliminaryBehavioralPEM unclear

Benign myalgic encephalomyelitis in Lebanon.

Mourad, S, Chidiac, J·Le Journal medical libanais. The Lebanese medical journal·1969

This is an early observational study from 1969 describing cases of benign myalgic encephalomyelitis in Lebanon. The researchers documented patients with this condition, contributing to recognition of ME/CFS as a distinct illness in the Middle East during a period when the disease was still being identified and named around the world.

The psychiatric sequelae of benign myalgic encephalomyelitis.

Kendell, R E·The British journal of psychiatry : the journal of mental science·1967

This 1967 study examined whether people with benign myalgic encephalomyelitis (an early name for ME/CFS) experienced psychiatric symptoms or mental health challenges as a result of their illness. The researchers looked at patients with this condition to understand what psychological effects, if any, accompanied the physical symptoms of the disease.

[Benign myalgic encephalomyelitis, epidemic pseudoneurasthenia].

GSELL, O·Schweizerische medizinische Wochenschrift·1963

This 1963 observational study examined benign myalgic encephalomyelitis (an early name for ME/CFS) and its relationship to a condition called epidemic pseudoneurasthenia. The author documented clinical observations of patients experiencing this illness during what appeared to be epidemic outbreaks, noting the pattern of symptoms and disease presentation.

E3 PreliminaryPEM unclear

Benign myalgic encephalomyelitis. (Report of five cases).

BORNSTEIN, B, BECHAR, M, LASS, H·Psychiatria et neurologia·1960

This is an early medical case report from 1960 describing five patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), a condition causing muscle pain and neurological symptoms. The authors documented the clinical features these patients experienced, helping establish that ME was a recognizable medical condition rather than a psychiatric illness. This foundational work contributed to understanding ME as a legitimate organic disease.

[A new drug in the therapy of chronic fatigue syndrome].

RONCHI, W·Minerva medica·1959

This is a historical paper from 1959 examining a new medication approach for chronic fatigue syndrome. However, without access to the full abstract or article text, we cannot provide specific details about which drug was tested or what results were found. This early research represents the beginning of pharmacological investigation into ME/CFS treatment.

Benign myalgic encephalomyelitis: an outbreak in a nurses' school in Athens.

DAIKOS, G K, GARZONIS, S, PALEOLOGUE, A et al.·Lancet (London, England)·1959

This 1959 study documented an outbreak of ME/CFS-like illness among nursing students in Athens, Greece. Multiple students developed similar symptoms including muscle pain, fatigue, and neurological problems over a short period. The researchers observed the outbreak and recorded what happened, helping establish that ME/CFS can occur in groups of people.

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM unclearCase-Control

Benign myalgic encephalomyelitis.

GALPINE, J F·The British journal of clinical practice·1958

This 1958 case-control study examined patients with benign myalgic encephalomyelitis (an early name for ME/CFS). The researchers documented clinical presentations and characteristics of the condition to help establish it as a distinct medical illness rather than a purely psychological problem.

Benign myalgic encephalomyelitis.

BHATIA, B B, CHANDRA, S, BHUSHAN, C·Journal of the Indian Medical Association·1958

This is an early case-control study from 1958 examining what was then called benign myalgic encephalomyelitis. The researchers described and compared cases of the condition, though specific details about their findings are not available in the abstract. This represents one of the earliest formal medical investigations into what we now know as ME/CFS.

E3 PreliminaryPEM unclear

[Benign epidemic myalgic encephalomyelitis].

Recenti progressi in medicina·1957

This is a historical medical report from 1957 describing an outbreak of a disease called myalgic encephalomyelitis (now known as ME/CFS). The report documents cases where patients experienced muscle pain and neurological symptoms during what appeared to be an epidemic. This early observation helped establish that ME/CFS could occur in clusters and affect multiple people.

EPIDEMIC myalgic encephalomyelitis.

British medical journal·1957

This 1957 study from the British Medical Journal documents cases of myalgic encephalomyelitis occurring in epidemic form—meaning multiple people in a community became ill at the same time. The researchers observed patients with this condition to better understand how it presented and spread.

Benign myalgic encephalomyelitis (Iceland disease) in Alaska.

DEISHER, J B·Northwest medicine·1957

This 1957 study documented cases of ME/CFS (then called Iceland disease) occurring in Alaska. The report describes observations of patients experiencing the illness in a geographic region where the disease had not been previously well-documented. This early observational account helped establish that ME/CFS was not limited to Iceland but could occur in other parts of the world.

Benign myalgic encephalomyelitis.

GALPINE, J F, BRADY, C·Lancet (London, England)·1957

This 1957 case-control study by Galpine and Brady documented cases of myalgic encephalomyelitis and compared them with control groups to understand the condition's features. The researchers aimed to establish that ME was a distinct medical condition with identifiable characteristics, rather than a purely psychological disorder. This early study helped establish the medical legitimacy of what patients and some doctors were observing as a real illness.