ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

2423 studies

641–660 of 2,423 studies

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

Not what it seems to be: Depression versus periodic limb movement disorder.

Gupta, Ravi, Kundu, Kaustuv, Khayyam, Khwaja et al.·Indian journal of psychiatry·2020

This case report describes a patient who was initially diagnosed with depression and wasn't getting better with antidepressant medications. Doctors later realized he actually had a sleep disorder called periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD), where the legs move involuntarily during sleep. When treated with a medication called ropinirole, his symptoms improved significantly. This story highlights how sleep problems can look like depression or chronic fatigue, and getting the right diagnosis matters.

Sleep

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM unclearCross-Sectional

DNA Methylation and Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Expression Account for Symptoms and Widespread Hyperalgesia in Patients With Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Comorbid Fibromyalgia.

Polli, Andrea, Ghosh, Manosij, Bakusic, Jelena et al.·Arthritis & rheumatology (Hoboken, N.J.)·2020

This study found that people with ME/CFS and fibromyalgia have unusual patterns in how their genes are regulated, specifically involving a molecule called BDNF that affects pain and nerve function. Researchers measured genetic markers and protein levels in blood samples and found that changes in how BDNF genes are 'switched on and off' may explain why patients experience severe fatigue, pain, and widespread body aches.

Pain and Sensitization

E3 PreliminaryDiagnosticPEM unclearMethods-Paper

Extracting medication information from unstructured public health data: a demonstration on data from population-based and tertiary-based samples.

Chen, Robert, Ho, Joyce C, Lin, Jin-Mann S·BMC medical research methodology·2020

Researchers developed a computer program to automatically read through medical records and extract information about what medications ME/CFS patients are taking and why they're taking them. Instead of having someone manually review thousands of medication entries (which is slow and error-prone), their automated system condensed over 1,200 different medication names into 89 standard categories and organized reasons for use into 65 categories. This tool could help future research studies more quickly analyze medication patterns in ME/CFS patients.

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM unclearMechanistic

IgG stimulated β2 adrenergic receptor activation is attenuated in patients with ME/CFS.

Hartwig, Jelka, Sotzny, Franziska, Bauer, Sandra et al.·Brain, behavior, & immunity - health·2020

This study examined a specific immune problem in some ME/CFS patients: abnormal antibodies that interfere with a receptor protein called β2 adrenergic receptor, which helps regulate immune response and stress recovery. Researchers found that immune cells (antibodies) from healthy people could activate this receptor and boost immune regulation, but antibodies from ME/CFS patients with elevated levels of these specific autoantibodies could not. This dysfunction in the immune system may help explain why ME/CFS patients experience persistent fatigue and immune dysregulation.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredMechanistic

Protective Effect of Hemin Against Experimental Chronic Fatigue Syndrome in Mice: Possible Role of Neurotransmitters.

Thakur, Vandana, Jamwal, Sumit, Kumar, Mandeep et al.·Neurotoxicity research·2020

Researchers studied a substance called hemin in mice to see if it could help with fatigue-like symptoms. Mice that were stressed for 21 days showed signs of exhaustion, weakness, and anxiety. When treated with hemin, these mice improved—they became more active, stronger, and less anxious. The improvements seemed to work through a specific pathway in the body related to an enzyme called HO-1.

Energy Metabolism

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearEvidence-Map

[What scientific evidence do the current classifications have in order to assess occupational disability in patients with central sensitisation syndrome?].

Regal Ramos, R J·Semergen·2020

This study looked at whether doctors have good, scientific ways to measure how much ME/CFS and related conditions limit a person's ability to work. The researchers found that while many different rating systems exist, none of them have strong enough evidence to be considered reliable. This is a significant problem because patients need fair, consistent methods to document their disability for work accommodations and benefits.

Diagnostics

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredMechanistic

Eradication of persistent coxsackievirus B infection from a pancreatic cell line with clinically used antiviral drugs.

Honkimaa, Anni, Sioofy-Khojine, Amir-Babak, Oikarinen, Sami et al.·Journal of clinical virology : the official publication of the Pan American Society for Clinical Virology·2020

This study tested whether common antiviral medications could eliminate persistent coxsackievirus B infections in laboratory pancreatic cells. Researchers found that four drugs—Enviroxime, Fluoxetine, Hizentra (an immune protein), and Pleconaril—successfully cleared the virus from infected cells. The results suggest these medications might be worth testing in patients with chronic enterovirus infections.

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Cerebral Blood Flow Is Reduced in Severe Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Patients During Mild Orthostatic Stress Testing: An Exploratory Study at 20 Degrees of Head-Up Tilt Testing.

van Campen, C Linda M C, Rowe, Peter C, Visser, Frans C·Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland)·2020

This study looked at blood flow to the brain in 19 people with severe ME/CFS who have difficulty standing up (orthostatic intolerance). When patients tilted their heads up at a mild 20-degree angle for 15 minutes, blood flow to their brains dropped by an average of 27%. All 19 patients showed this abnormal reduction in brain blood flow, suggesting this shorter, gentler test could help diagnose the condition even in the most severely ill patients who cannot tolerate longer or more intense tests.

Autonomic Nervous System

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome patients exhibit altered T cell metabolism and cytokine associations.

Mandarano, Alexandra H, Maya, Jessica, Giloteaux, Ludovic et al.·The Journal of clinical investigation·2020

This study looked at how immune cells (T cells) work differently in people with ME/CFS compared to healthy people. Researchers found that T cells from ME/CFS patients use energy less efficiently—they have trouble both producing energy at rest and responding when activated. These metabolic problems in immune cells may help explain why ME/CFS patients experience severe fatigue and other symptoms.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryPEM unclear

Is the efficacy of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation influenced by baseline severity of fatigue symptom in patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis.

Yang, De Gang, Gu, Rui, Kubo, Jin et al.·The International journal of neuroscience·2020

Researchers tested whether a brain stimulation treatment called repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) could help ME/CFS patients with fatigue. They treated 22 patients with 6-8 sessions of rTMS and measured fatigue levels before and after treatment. The study found that rTMS improved fatigue symptoms in all patients, whether they started with severe or mild fatigue.

Interventions

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM unclearCase-Control

Successful Treatment of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome with Chronic Febricula Using the Traditional Japanese Medicine Shosaikoto.

Numata, Takehiro, Miura, Kazuki, Akaishi, Tetsuya et al.·Internal medicine (Tokyo, Japan)·2020

A 14-year-old girl with ME/CFS who had experienced severe tiredness, low-grade fevers, and school absence for 20 months was treated with shosaikoto, a traditional Japanese herbal medicine. Within several weeks, her symptoms improved dramatically and she was able to return to school. This case suggests that shosaikoto may help some ME/CFS patients, particularly those with persistent low fevers.

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM unclearMechanistic

Human Herpesvirus-6 Reactivation, Mitochondrial Fragmentation, and the Coordination of Antiviral and Metabolic Phenotypes in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Schreiner, Philipp, Harrer, Thomas, Scheibenbogen, Carmen et al.·ImmunoHorizons·2020

This study explores how a virus called HHV-6 might trigger ME/CFS by examining what happens inside cells when the virus reactivates. The researchers found that when HHV-6 wakes up, it causes cells to switch into a protective mode that fights other viruses but seriously damages the cell's power plants (mitochondria) and energy-making abilities. Importantly, blood serum from ME/CFS patients showed similar patterns, suggesting HHV-6 reactivation may play a role in the disease.

Energy Metabolism

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredMechanistic

Antioxidant and immunomodulatory properties of Spilanthes oleracea with potential effect in chronic fatigue syndrome infirmity.

Nipate, Sonali S, Tiwari, Anand H·Journal of Ayurveda and integrative medicine·2020

This study tested whether an extract from Spilanthes oleracea (a plant used in traditional medicine) could help relieve fatigue symptoms in mice subjected to chronic stress. The researchers found that the plant extract reduced markers of cellular damage and improved physical performance in stressed mice, suggesting it may work by reducing harmful molecules called oxidative stress in the body.

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

Mitochondria disease due to humidifier disinfectants: diagnostic criteria and its evidences.

Leem, Jong Han, Kim, Hwan-Cheol·Environmental analysis, health and toxicology·2020

In 2011, millions of people in South Korea were exposed to toxic chemicals in humidifier disinfectants, which caused widespread illness beyond just lung damage. Researchers found that these chemicals harm the mitochondria—the energy-producing parts of cells—leading to symptoms like chronic fatigue, muscle pain, exercise intolerance, and neurological problems similar to those seen in ME/CFS. This study reviews evidence that mitochondrial damage from chemical exposure may explain why victims developed multi-system health problems.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E3 PreliminaryGuidelinePEM not requiredGuideline

International expert consensus on the management of allergic rhinitis (AR) aggravated by air pollutants: Impact of air pollution on patients with AR: Current knowledge and future strategies.

Naclerio, Robert, Ansotegui, Ignacio J, Bousquet, Jean et al.·The World Allergy Organization journal·2020

Allergic rhinitis (hay fever and similar nasal allergies) affects millions of people and becomes worse when air pollution is present. This expert consensus report reviews how air pollution—both indoors and outdoors—makes allergic rhinitis symptoms worse, and discusses the best ways to manage it. The main treatment involves following standard allergy guidelines and reducing exposure to pollutants, though more research is needed on which medicines work best for people dealing with both allergies and air pollution.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredMechanistic

Mapping the Alterations of Glutamate Using Glu-Weighted CEST MRI in a Rat Model of Fatigue.

Li, Ruili, Dai, Zhuozhi, Hu, Di et al.·Frontiers in neurology·2020

Researchers used a special brain imaging technique to measure glutamate (a chemical messenger in the brain) in rats that were made fatigued through a 10-day stressful procedure. They found that fatigued rats had higher levels of glutamate in their brains compared to rested rats, and the fatigued rats moved around less. This suggests that too much glutamate in the brain might be involved in causing fatigue.

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Brain Responses in CFS and TMD to Autonomic Challenges: An Exploratory fMRI Study.

Vuong, Q C, Allison, J R, Finkelmeyer, A et al.·JDR clinical and translational research·2020

This study looked at how the brains of people with ME/CFS respond during a specific breathing test (the Valsalva maneuver) that activates the autonomic nervous system—the part of your nervous system that controls automatic body functions like heart rate and breathing. Researchers compared brain scans of people with ME/CFS who also had jaw pain (temporomandibular disorder) to those with ME/CFS alone and healthy controls. They found that people with both conditions showed stronger brain activity in areas related to pain and fatigue, suggesting that problems with autonomic nervous system control may contribute to both conditions.

Autonomic Nervous System

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredMechanistic

Early Growth Response Gene Upregulation in Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV)-Associated Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS).

Kerr, Jonathan·Biomolecules·2020

This study looked at specific genes called EGR genes that turn on in response to stress and infection. Researchers found that these genes were abnormally active in blood samples from some ME/CFS patients, and this activity matched up with signs of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) reactivation. This suggests that in some people with ME/CFS, a dormant virus may be waking up and triggering an ongoing immune response.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Could Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Be an Effective Treatment for Long COVID and Post COVID-19 Fatigue Syndrome? Lessons from the Qure Study for Q-Fever Fatigue Syndrome.

Vink, Mark, Vink-Niese, Alexandra·Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland)·2020

This study looked at whether cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)—a talk therapy that focuses on changing thought patterns—is effective for long COVID and post-COVID fatigue. The researchers re-examined a previous study on a similar condition called Q-fever fatigue syndrome and found serious problems with how that study was done. They concluded that CBT likely doesn't actually help people with these post-infection fatigue conditions feel better or become more able to do daily activities.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredMechanistic

Network Pharmacology to Uncover the Biological Basis of Spleen Qi Deficiency Syndrome and Herbal Treatment.

Wang, Xin, Wu, Min, Lai, Xinxing et al.·Oxidative medicine and cellular longevity·2020

This study used computer analysis and lab experiments to understand how traditional Chinese medicine views a condition called "spleen qi deficiency," which is linked to various diseases including chronic fatigue. Researchers found that this condition may involve problems with the immune system and how the body handles stress at the cellular level. They also identified which herbs traditionally used for this condition work by boosting immune cell activity.

Immune System

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Not what it seems to be: Depression versus periodic limb movement disorder.

DNA Methylation and Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Expression Account for Symptoms and Widespread Hyperalgesia in Patients With Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Comorbid Fibromyalgia.

Extracting medication information from unstructured public health data: a demonstration on data from population-based and tertiary-based samples.

IgG stimulated β2 adrenergic receptor activation is attenuated in patients with ME/CFS.

Protective Effect of Hemin Against Experimental Chronic Fatigue Syndrome in Mice: Possible Role of Neurotransmitters.

[What scientific evidence do the current classifications have in order to assess occupational disability in patients with central sensitisation syndrome?].

Eradication of persistent coxsackievirus B infection from a pancreatic cell line with clinically used antiviral drugs.

Cerebral Blood Flow Is Reduced in Severe Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Patients During Mild Orthostatic Stress Testing: An Exploratory Study at 20 Degrees of Head-Up Tilt Testing.

Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome patients exhibit altered T cell metabolism and cytokine associations.

Is the efficacy of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation influenced by baseline severity of fatigue symptom in patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis.

Successful Treatment of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome with Chronic Febricula Using the Traditional Japanese Medicine Shosaikoto.

Human Herpesvirus-6 Reactivation, Mitochondrial Fragmentation, and the Coordination of Antiviral and Metabolic Phenotypes in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Antioxidant and immunomodulatory properties of Spilanthes oleracea with potential effect in chronic fatigue syndrome infirmity.

Mitochondria disease due to humidifier disinfectants: diagnostic criteria and its evidences.

International expert consensus on the management of allergic rhinitis (AR) aggravated by air pollutants: Impact of air pollution on patients with AR: Current knowledge and future strategies.

Mapping the Alterations of Glutamate Using Glu-Weighted CEST MRI in a Rat Model of Fatigue.

Brain Responses in CFS and TMD to Autonomic Challenges: An Exploratory fMRI Study.

Early Growth Response Gene Upregulation in Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV)-Associated Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS).

Could Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Be an Effective Treatment for Long COVID and Post COVID-19 Fatigue Syndrome? Lessons from the Qure Study for Q-Fever Fatigue Syndrome.

Network Pharmacology to Uncover the Biological Basis of Spleen Qi Deficiency Syndrome and Herbal Treatment.

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