ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

2422 studies

581–600 of 2,422 studies

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome and the cardiovascular system: What is known?

Dixit, Neal M, Churchill, Austin, Nsair, Ali et al.·American heart journal plus : cardiology research and practice·2021

Some people who have had COVID-19 develop long-lasting symptoms weeks or months later, including chest pain and heart palpitations (feeling your heart racing). This review examines what we know about how COVID-19 affects the heart during this long-COVID period. While the virus itself rarely causes direct heart damage, it can trigger several heart-related conditions that may explain why patients experience these symptoms.

E3 PreliminaryDiagnosticPEM not requiredMethods-Paper

The Interoceptive Sensitivity and Attention Questionnaire: Evaluating Aspects of Self-Reported Interoception in Patients With Persistent Somatic Symptoms, Stress-Related Syndromes, and Healthy Controls.

Bogaerts, Katleen, Walentynowicz, Marta, Van Den Houte, Maaike et al.·Psychosomatic medicine·2021

This study tested a new questionnaire called the ISAQ that measures how aware people are of signals from their own body—like heart rate, breathing, or pain—and how much attention they pay to uncomfortable bodily sensations. Researchers compared how people with ME/CFS, fibromyalgia, panic disorder, and other conditions scored on this questionnaire compared to healthy people. They found that people with ME/CFS and fibromyalgia were more sensitive to neutral body signals and paid more attention to unpleasant sensations than healthy controls.

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Altered endothelial dysfunction-related miRs in plasma from ME/CFS patients.

Blauensteiner, J, Bertinat, R, León, L E et al.·Scientific reports·2021

This study looked at tiny molecules called microRNAs in the blood of ME/CFS patients to understand what might be going wrong with their blood vessels. The researchers found that five specific microRNAs were higher in ME/CFS patients compared to healthy people, and these molecules are known to affect how blood vessels function. This discovery suggests that blood vessel problems might be part of what causes ME/CFS symptoms.

BiomarkersImmune System

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredMechanistic

Does muscular or mental fatigue have an influence on the nociceptive flexion reflex? A randomized cross-over study in healthy people.

Dhondt, Evy, Danneels, Lieven, Rijckaert, Johan et al.·European journal of pain (London, England)·2021

This study tested whether being physically or mentally tired changes how the body's spinal cord responds to pain signals. Researchers measured a reflex that happens in the spinal cord when stimulated with electrical pulses to a nerve in the leg, both before and after participants either rested, did tiring leg exercises, or completed a difficult mental task. They found that low-to-moderate levels of fatigue—whether physical or mental—did not change this spinal reflex, suggesting the body's pain-dampening systems stay stable even when tired.

Pain and Sensitization

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Historical Insight into Infections and Disorders Associated with Neurological and Psychiatric Sequelae Similar to Long COVID.

Stefano, George B·Medical science monitor : international medical journal of experimental and clinical research·2021

This review examines how long COVID causes long-term symptoms similar to those seen after other viral infections throughout history, particularly focusing on 'brain fog' and difficulty thinking clearly. By looking at past pandemics like the 1918 flu and other viral illnesses, researchers found that many infections can cause similar cognitive problems and fatigue that persist long after the initial infection. The study suggests that viruses may damage the brain's energy-producing structures (mitochondria), leading to reduced oxygen in the brain and chronic symptoms like those seen in ME/CFS and long COVID.

Neuroinflammation

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM requiredObservational

Reduced Endothelial Function in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome-Results From Open-Label Cyclophosphamide Intervention Study.

Sørland, Kari, Sandvik, Miriam Kristine, Rekeland, Ingrid Gurvin et al.·Frontiers in medicine·2021

This study found that blood vessels in people with ME/CFS don't work as well as they do in healthy people. The researchers measured how blood vessels widen and respond to changes in blood flow, and found these responses were reduced in ME/CFS patients. Interestingly, when patients received a strong immune-suppressing drug called cyclophosphamide, improvements in symptoms didn't match up with improvements in blood vessel function.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM unclearMechanistic

Acute Corticotropin-Releasing Factor Receptor Type 2 Agonism Results in Sustained Symptom Improvement in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Pereira, Gerard, Gillies, Hunter, Chanda, Sanjay et al.·Frontiers in systems neuroscience·2021

Researchers tested a new drug called CT38s that targets a receptor in the brain called CRFR2, which they believe may be overactive in ME/CFS. Fourteen ME/CFS patients received a single infusion of this drug, and most experienced symptom improvement that lasted at least 28 days. Side effects were mild and similar to typical ME/CFS symptoms, suggesting the drug was working on systems related to the disease.

Endocrine Disruption

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredMechanistic

[Electroacupuncture improves cognitive function by inhibiting NF-κB activity in rats with chronic fatigue syndrome].

Feng, Chu-Wen, Qu, Yuan-Yuan, Sun, Zhong-Ren et al.·Zhen ci yan jiu = Acupuncture research·2021

This study tested whether electroacupuncture (a form of acupuncture with electrical stimulation) could help rats with chronic fatigue syndrome recover cognitive abilities like memory and learning. The researchers found that electroacupuncture reduced inflammation in the brain's memory center (hippocampus) and improved the rats' ability to learn and remember, likely by blocking a inflammatory protein called NF-κB.

Neuroinflammation

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

In-Depth Analysis of the Plasma Proteome in ME/CFS Exposes Disrupted Ephrin-Eph and Immune System Signaling.

Germain, Arnaud, Levine, Susan M, Hanson, Maureen R·Proteomes·2021

Researchers measured 4,790 different proteins in the blood of 20 ME/CFS patients and 20 healthy people to look for differences that might explain the disease. They found that 19 proteins were significantly different between the two groups, particularly involving pathways related to immune function and cell communication. Using these protein patterns, they were able to distinguish ME/CFS patients from healthy controls with high accuracy, suggesting proteins in blood could potentially help diagnose ME/CFS.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

Central sensitivity and fibromyalgia.

Mezhov, Veronica, Guymer, Emma, Littlejohn, Geoffrey·Internal medicine journal·2021

Fibromyalgia and ME/CFS are conditions where the nervous system becomes oversensitive, causing widespread pain, fatigue, sleep problems, and brain fog. These conditions often occur together and share similar underlying problems with how the brain and spinal cord process pain and other signals. This review explains what causes these conditions and how doctors can recognize and treat them using a combination of education, exercise, stress management, and medications.

SleepCognitive Impairment

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome: Immunologic contrasts and connective tissue comparisons.

Islam, Mareesa, Chang, Christopher, Gershwin, M Eric·Journal of translational autoimmunity·2021

This review article explains Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), a group of inherited disorders that affect connective tissue in the body, causing symptoms like loose, stretchy skin and flexible joints. The authors describe the 13 different types of EDS, how doctors diagnose them, and how they're treated. While some forms of EDS involve inflammation, the exact mechanisms causing the disease are not fully understood.

Diagnostics

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis in children aged 5 to 11 years: A qualitative study.

Brigden, Amberly, Shaw, Alison, Anderson, Emma et al.·Clinical child psychology and psychiatry·2021

This study looked at how ME/CFS affects younger children (ages 5-11) and what their families experience. Researchers interviewed children and parents to understand how the illness impacts daily life and what kind of support they need. The study found that children over 8 years old can better understand and manage their illness compared to younger children, and that parents of very young children need more support from healthcare providers.

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM unclearCase-Control

Life-Threatening Malnutrition in Very Severe ME/CFS.

Baxter, Helen, Speight, Nigel, Weir, William·Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland)·2021

This study describes five patients with very severe ME/CFS who developed life-threatening malnutrition because doctors delayed providing tube feeding support. Some severely affected patients cannot eat or drink normally due to swallowing difficulties, severe stomach problems, or being too ill to feed themselves. The research shows that doctors sometimes mistakenly blamed psychological factors instead of recognizing nutrition problems as a direct result of the disease, leading to dangerous delays in life-saving treatment.

Severe ME

E3 PreliminaryGuidelinePEM unclearGuideline

European Network on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (EUROMENE): Expert Consensus on the Diagnosis, Service Provision, and Care of People with ME/CFS in Europe.

Nacul, Luis, Authier, François Jérôme, Scheibenbogen, Carmen et al.·Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania)·2021

This study brings together ME/CFS experts from 22 European countries to agree on how to diagnose the illness and provide better care for patients. The researchers and healthcare professionals worked together with people who have ME/CFS to create recommendations that can help doctors recognize and treat the condition more consistently across Europe. Their goal was to improve diagnosis and healthcare services for ME/CFS patients everywhere.

Diagnostics

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM requiredReview-Narrative

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Cardiovascular Disease: JACC State-of-the-Art Review.

Natelson, Benjamin H, Brunjes, Danielle L, Mancini, Donna·Journal of the American College of Cardiology·2021

This review examines how ME/CFS affects the heart and blood vessels. Researchers found that people with ME/CFS often have hearts that pump less blood than healthy people, and their blood pressure drops at night. Many also experience rapid heartbeat when standing up. These heart changes may be connected to why people feel worse after physical or mental activity (postexertional malaise).

Post-Exertional Malaise

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM unclearMechanistic

Bioenergetic and Proteomic Profiling of Immune Cells in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Patients: An Exploratory Study.

Fernandez-Guerra, Paula, Gonzalez-Ebsen, Ana C, Boonen, Susanne E et al.·Biomolecules·2021

This study looked at how cells in ME/CFS patients produce and use energy differently than in healthy people. Researchers examined immune cells from six ME/CFS patients and found that these cells have lower efficiency in their mitochondria (the 'power plants' of cells) and struggle to produce enough energy to meet their needs. This energy shortage in cells may help explain why ME/CFS patients experience severe fatigue.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Global survey-based assessment of lifestyle changes during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Agarwal, Poonam, Kaushik, Abhinav, Sarkar, Sutapa et al.·PloS one·2021

This study surveyed people during the COVID-19 lockdowns to understand how the pandemic affected their daily lives, work, mental health, and social connections. Most people found ways to cope by using technology to stay connected with others, staying physically active, and spending time on hobbies. The study found that while many people faced mental health challenges from isolation and pandemic stress, most kept their jobs and lived with family or roommates, which may have provided support.

E3 PreliminaryCommentaryPEM unclearEditorial

Dorsal root ganglia: fibromyalgia pain factory?

Martínez-Lavín, Manuel·Clinical rheumatology·2021

This article explores whether structures called dorsal root ganglia (DRG)—small nerve clusters along the spine—might be the main source of pain in fibromyalgia. These ganglia contain pain-sensing nerve cells and immune molecules that can become overactive. Recent evidence suggests that in some fibromyalgia patients, these nerve clusters show signs of damage and increased pain signaling.

Neuroinflammation

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM unclearCase-Control

Adolescent and Young Adult ME/CFS After Confirmed or Probable COVID-19.

Petracek, Lindsay S, Suskauer, Stacy J, Vickers, Rebecca F et al.·Frontiers in medicine·2021

This study describes three teenagers and young adults who developed ME/CFS after having COVID-19. All three patients experienced symptoms like dizziness when standing up early in their illness, and by 6 months, all met the clinical criteria for ME/CFS. The researchers noticed several patterns across these patients, including allergies, elevated histamine levels, reduced flexibility, and unusual nerve reflexes—findings that may help identify and treat ME/CFS after COVID-19.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E3 PreliminaryPEM not required

Building-related illness (BRI) in all family members caused by mold infestation after dampness damage of the building.

Kramer, Axel, Wichelhaus, Thomas A, Kempf, Volkhard et al.·GMS hygiene and infection control·2021

A family of five living in a house with severe mold damage all developed health problems. The mother developed symptoms very similar to ME/CFS, including extreme fatigue, cognitive problems, sleep issues, and respiratory complaints. After the family moved out, symptoms improved gradually—the father recovered in 2 weeks, the children in 6 months, and the mother took 18 months to fully recover.

SleepCognitive Impairment

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Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome and the cardiovascular system: What is known?

The Interoceptive Sensitivity and Attention Questionnaire: Evaluating Aspects of Self-Reported Interoception in Patients With Persistent Somatic Symptoms, Stress-Related Syndromes, and Healthy Controls.

Altered endothelial dysfunction-related miRs in plasma from ME/CFS patients.

Does muscular or mental fatigue have an influence on the nociceptive flexion reflex? A randomized cross-over study in healthy people.

Historical Insight into Infections and Disorders Associated with Neurological and Psychiatric Sequelae Similar to Long COVID.

Reduced Endothelial Function in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome-Results From Open-Label Cyclophosphamide Intervention Study.

Acute Corticotropin-Releasing Factor Receptor Type 2 Agonism Results in Sustained Symptom Improvement in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

[Electroacupuncture improves cognitive function by inhibiting NF-κB activity in rats with chronic fatigue syndrome].

In-Depth Analysis of the Plasma Proteome in ME/CFS Exposes Disrupted Ephrin-Eph and Immune System Signaling.

Central sensitivity and fibromyalgia.

Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome: Immunologic contrasts and connective tissue comparisons.

Chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis in children aged 5 to 11 years: A qualitative study.

Life-Threatening Malnutrition in Very Severe ME/CFS.

European Network on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (EUROMENE): Expert Consensus on the Diagnosis, Service Provision, and Care of People with ME/CFS in Europe.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Cardiovascular Disease: JACC State-of-the-Art Review.

Bioenergetic and Proteomic Profiling of Immune Cells in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Patients: An Exploratory Study.

Global survey-based assessment of lifestyle changes during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dorsal root ganglia: fibromyalgia pain factory?

Adolescent and Young Adult ME/CFS After Confirmed or Probable COVID-19.

Building-related illness (BRI) in all family members caused by mold infestation after dampness damage of the building.

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