ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

2420 studies

661–680 of 2,420 studies

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredMechanistic

Substrate utilisation of cultured skeletal muscle cells in patients with CFS.

Tomas, Cara, Elson, Joanna L, Newton, Julia L et al.·Scientific reports·2020

This study examined how muscle cells from ME/CFS patients use different fuels for energy compared to healthy people. Researchers found that ME/CFS muscle cells have trouble using glucose (a key fuel source) for energy, but can still use other fuels normally. This suggests the energy-producing problem in ME/CFS starts very early in the energy-making process, and may be caused by something genetic or chemical that persists even when cells are grown in a laboratory.

Energy Metabolism

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus L.) as a medicinal plant and its natural products.

Sawicka, Barbara, Skiba, Dominika, Pszczółkowski, Piotr et al.·Cellular and molecular biology (Noisy-le-Grand, France)·2020

This review examined Jerusalem artichoke, a root vegetable, to understand its nutritional and health benefits. The researchers found that Jerusalem artichoke contains compounds that may help with blood sugar control, weight management, immune function, and several chronic conditions including chronic fatigue syndrome. However, this is a review of existing research rather than a new experiment testing these benefits in patients.

Energy MetabolismImmune 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 requiredMechanistic

Profile of circulating microRNAs in myalgic encephalomyelitis and their relation to symptom severity, and disease pathophysiology.

Nepotchatykh, Evguenia, Elremaly, Wesam, Caraus, Iurie et al.·Scientific reports·2020

This study looked at tiny molecules called microRNAs in the blood of severely ill ME/CFS patients before and after a stress challenge designed to trigger post-exertional malaise (the worsening of symptoms after activity). The researchers found that eleven different microRNAs changed in response to this challenge, with patterns that varied depending on symptom severity. These microRNA signatures could potentially be used one day as blood tests to help diagnose ME/CFS.

BiomarkersPost-Exertional Malaise

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Mitochondria and immunity in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Anderson, G, Maes, M·Progress in neuro-psychopharmacology & biological psychiatry·2020

This review examines how problems with energy-producing structures in cells (mitochondria) and immune system dysfunction may contribute to ME/CFS. The authors propose that two key areas—the gut and immune cells—work together with the body's natural sleep-wake cycle to drive the condition. They also explore how factors like viral infections, gut bacteria, and hormones may play interconnected roles in ME/CFS symptoms.

Autonomic Nervous SystemImmune System

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 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

["Tired, weak and exhausted" - which diagnostic steps make sense in the GP's practice?].

Schlüssel, Sabine, Gensichen, Jochen·MMW Fortschritte der Medizin·2020

This article reviews how general practitioners (GPs) can best diagnose ME/CFS by examining which tests and questions make the most sense in a regular doctor's office. The authors looked at practical diagnostic steps that doctors can use when patients report feeling tired, weak, and exhausted to help identify ME/CFS versus other conditions that cause similar symptoms.

Diagnostics

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not required

The effect of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) severity on cellular bioenergetic function.

Tomas, Cara, Elson, Joanna L, Strassheim, Victoria et al.·PloS one·2020

This study looked at how well the energy-producing parts of cells (mitochondria) work in people with ME/CFS compared to healthy people. Researchers found that both people with moderate and severe ME/CFS had problems with how their cells produce energy, but severely affected patients had additional problems with how their cells break down glucose for energy. This suggests that severe ME/CFS involves more widespread energy problems than moderate ME/CFS.

Energy Metabolism

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM unclearObservational

What ME/CFS caregivers want you to know.

Ausubel, Bobbi·Work (Reading, Mass.)·2020

This study asked ME/CFS caregivers—people who provide care and support to those with the illness—what they wanted others to understand about their experience. The research collected information about the challenges caregivers face, what they wish people knew about ME/CFS, and how caring for someone with this illness affects their own lives. Understanding caregiver perspectives helps improve support systems and raise awareness about ME/CFS.

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 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredMechanistic

Fungal Dysbiosis Correlates with the Development of Tumor-Induced Cachexia in Mice.

Jabes, Daniela L, de Maria, Yara N L F, Aciole Barbosa, David et al.·Journal of fungi (Basel, Switzerland)·2020

This study looked at how fungi (different from bacteria) in the gut change when cancer causes severe weight loss and muscle wasting called cachexia. Researchers compared mice with cancer-induced cachexia to healthy mice and found significant differences in their fungal populations. Interestingly, some of these fungal changes are similar to those seen in other conditions, including ME/CFS, suggesting a common gut-related mechanism across different diseases.

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM unclearCase-Control

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Efficacy of Repeat Immunoadsorption.

Tölle, Markus, Freitag, Helma, Antelmann, Michaela et al.·Journal of clinical medicine·2020

This study tested a blood-cleaning treatment called immunoadsorption (IA) on five ME/CFS patients who had previously improved with this therapy. About two years later, they received the treatment again using a slightly modified approach. Four of the five patients showed improvement in their symptoms that lasted 6-12 months, and the treatment was well tolerated with no serious side effects.

Immune System

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

Antibody-Dependent Cell-mediated Cytotoxicity (ADCC) in Familial Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS).

Sung, Alexander P, Tang, Jennifer J-J, Guglielmo, Michael J et al.·Fatigue : biomedicine, health & behavior·2020

This study looked at immune cells called NK cells in families where multiple members have ME/CFS. The researchers found that ME/CFS patients and their healthy family members both had fewer of a specific type of NK cell and weaker immune responses compared to unrelated healthy people. This suggests that a genetic weakness in immune cell function might run in families and could increase the risk of developing ME/CFS.

Immune System

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 PreliminaryCohortPEM unclearCase-Control

Low-dose naltrexone as a treatment for chronic fatigue syndrome.

Bolton, Monica Jane, Chapman, Bryan Paul, Van Marwijk, Harm·BMJ case reports·2020

This study describes three people with ME/CFS who tried taking low-dose naltrexone (LDN), a medication sometimes used off-label for immune-related conditions. The patients experienced different results—some reported major improvements in their quality of life, while others noticed only modest reductions in specific symptoms like pain or fatigue. The doses used were quite small (4-12 mg), and the authors suggest that larger clinical trials might be worth doing to properly test whether LDN could help ME/CFS patients.

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM requiredMechanistic

An Isolated Complex V Inefficiency and Dysregulated Mitochondrial Function in Immortalized Lymphocytes from ME/CFS Patients.

Missailidis, Daniel, Annesley, Sarah J, Allan, Claire Y et al.·International journal of molecular sciences·2020

Researchers studied the energy-producing structures (mitochondria) in blood cells from ME/CFS patients and found a specific problem: the cells have difficulty using a protein complex called Complex V that normally makes ATP, the body's energy currency. To compensate, the cells turn up their other energy-making machinery, which keeps ATP levels normal while resting but may leave the cells exhausted when they need to produce extra energy quickly—similar to running a car engine at maximum capacity just to maintain normal speed.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E3 PreliminaryCommentaryPEM unclearEditorial

Treating medically unexplained symptoms via improving access to psychological therapy (IAPT): major limitations identified.

Geraghty, Keith, Scott, Michael J·BMC psychology·2020

This paper examines a UK mental health program called IAPT that offers psychological therapy for conditions with unexplained physical symptoms, including ME/CFS. The authors identified serious problems with how the program treats ME/CFS patients, including using treatments that haven't been proven to work, overstating how many people recover, and not being honest about how many patients drop out. The paper calls for better independent checking of the program and warns that psychology should not be the automatic treatment when doctors don't understand what's causing physical symptoms.

Diagnostics

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM unclearCase-Control

Cardiopulmonary responses to exercise in an individual with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome during long-term treatment with intravenous saline: A case study.

Davenport, Todd E, Ward, Michael K, Stevens, Staci R et al.·Work (Reading, Mass.)·2020

This study followed one woman with ME/CFS who received regular intravenous saline (salt water) infusions over about 2 years. Researchers measured how her heart and lungs responded to exercise tests throughout the treatment. By the end, she recovered faster after exercise, could do more daily activities, and her heart responded better during physical exertion.

Post-Exertional Malaise

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.

← Previous Next 20 studies →

Or browse by topic

PEM Immune Neuro Metabolic Biomarkers Severe ME Long COVID Cognitive

Evidence Atlas

Evidence browser

Substrate utilisation of cultured skeletal muscle cells in patients with CFS.

Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus L.) as a medicinal plant and its natural products.

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

Profile of circulating microRNAs in myalgic encephalomyelitis and their relation to symptom severity, and disease pathophysiology.

Mitochondria and immunity in chronic fatigue syndrome.

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

["Tired, weak and exhausted" - which diagnostic steps make sense in the GP's practice?].

The effect of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) severity on cellular bioenergetic function.

What ME/CFS caregivers want you to know.

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

Fungal Dysbiosis Correlates with the Development of Tumor-Induced Cachexia in Mice.

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Efficacy of Repeat Immunoadsorption.

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.

Antibody-Dependent Cell-mediated Cytotoxicity (ADCC) in Familial Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS).

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

Low-dose naltrexone as a treatment for chronic fatigue syndrome.

An Isolated Complex V Inefficiency and Dysregulated Mitochondrial Function in Immortalized Lymphocytes from ME/CFS Patients.

Treating medically unexplained symptoms via improving access to psychological therapy (IAPT): major limitations identified.

Cardiopulmonary responses to exercise in an individual with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome during long-term treatment with intravenous saline: A case study.

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

Curated Collections

Neuroinflammation Evidence

Metabolism & Mitochondria

Biomarkers

PEM-Specific Research