ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

2420 studies

721–740 of 2,420 studies

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

"It's not one size fits all"; the use of videoconferencing for delivering therapy in a Specialist Paediatric Chronic Fatigue Service.

Haig-Ferguson, Andrew, Loades, Maria, Whittle, Charlotte et al.·Internet interventions·2019

This study looked at whether young people with ME/CFS could receive therapy through video calls (like Skype) instead of traveling to hospital appointments. Researchers interviewed 12 young patients, 6 parents, and 9 healthcare workers about their experiences. Most people found video appointments helpful for reducing travel, though some worried about privacy and felt that something was lost compared to face-to-face meetings.

E3 PreliminaryCommentaryPEM unclear

Editorial: Advances in ME/CFS Research and Clinical Care.

Friedman, Kenneth J, Bateman, Lucinda, Bested, Alison et al.·Frontiers in pediatrics·2019

This editorial discusses recent progress in understanding and treating ME/CFS, particularly in children and young people. The authors highlight important advances in how doctors recognize and care for ME/CFS patients, and emphasize the need for continued research and improved clinical awareness.

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM requiredMechanistic

Exercise challenge alters Default Mode Network dynamics in Gulf War Illness.

Rayhan, Rakib U, Washington, Stuart D, Garner, Richard et al.·BMC neuroscience·2019

This study looked at brain activity in Gulf War Illness patients before and after exercise to understand post-exertional malaise (PEM)—a condition where symptoms get worse after physical or mental effort. Using brain scans, researchers found that after exercise, patients showed unusual patterns of brain deactivation (regions that should 'turn off' during focused tasks) compared to healthy people. This suggests PEM may involve how the brain manages activity, providing a potential biological marker for the illness.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredMechanistic

Hyperactivation of proprioceptors induces microglia-mediated long-lasting pain in a rat model of chronic fatigue syndrome.

Yasui, Masaya, Menjyo, Yuki, Tokizane, Kyohei et al.·Journal of neuroinflammation·2019

This study used rats exposed to chronic stress to understand why ME/CFS patients experience widespread pain without obvious tissue damage. Researchers found that stress caused sensory nerve fibers (proprioceptors) that detect body position to become overactive, which then triggered immune cells in the spinal cord called microglia to activate and cause pain. When they immobilized the ankle to reduce proprioceptor signaling, both the immune activation and pain behavior decreased.

Neuroinflammation

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM unclear

Severe posterior hypometabolism but normal perfusion in a patient with chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis revealed by PET/MRI.

Sahbai, S, Kauv, P, Abrivard, M et al.·European journal of nuclear medicine and molecular imaging·2019

This study examined a single ME/CFS patient's brain using advanced imaging technology (PET/MRI) that can show both brain activity and blood flow simultaneously. The researchers found that certain areas in the back of the patient's brain showed significantly lower metabolic activity (meaning cells were using less energy), but blood flow to those same areas appeared normal. This unusual pattern suggests that ME/CFS may involve a specific type of brain dysfunction that current standard brain scans might miss.

Energy Metabolism

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredObservational

Mitochondrial complex activity in permeabilised cells of chronic fatigue syndrome patients using two cell types.

Tomas, Cara, Brown, Audrey E, Newton, Julia L et al.·PeerJ·2019

This study looked at whether the powerhouses of cells (mitochondria) work differently in ME/CFS patients compared to healthy people. Researchers tested muscle cells and immune cells from the blood using a special technique to measure how well different parts of the mitochondrial energy-production system functioned. Surprisingly, they found no significant differences between ME/CFS patients and healthy controls, suggesting that if mitochondria aren't working properly in ME/CFS, the problem may occur before it reaches the mitochondria itself.

Energy Metabolism

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredMechanistic

Persistent fatigue induced by interferon-alpha: a novel, inflammation-based, proxy model of chronic fatigue syndrome.

Russell, Alice, Hepgul, Nilay, Nikkheslat, Naghmeh et al.·Psychoneuroendocrinology·2019

This study suggests that some people treated with interferon-alpha (a drug used for hepatitis C) develop persistent fatigue that continues even after treatment ends—similar to ME/CFS. Researchers found that people who later developed long-lasting fatigue had a stronger immune response early in treatment, with higher levels of certain immune molecules. Importantly, the fatigue persisted even after the immune trigger was gone, suggesting that something in the body's initial overreaction may set off a lasting problem.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM unclearObservational

Epstein-Barr Virus Induced Gene-2 Upregulation Identifies a Particular Subtype of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis.

Kerr, Jonathan R·Frontiers in pediatrics·2019

This study found that about 38-55% of ME/CFS patients have higher levels of a specific gene called EBI2 turned on in their immune cells. Patients with this EBI2 pattern appear to have more severe symptoms and different antibody levels compared to other ME/CFS patients. Because EBI2 is known to affect both immune function and brain function, finding this subtype could help explain why ME/CFS patients experience such different symptoms and may lead to new treatments.

BiomarkersImmune System

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Neuroimmunology: What Role for Autoimmunity, Neuroinflammation, and Small Fiber Neuropathy in Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and Adverse Events after Human Papillomavirus Vaccination?

Ryabkova, Varvara A, Churilov, Leonid P, Shoenfeld, Yehuda·International journal of molecular sciences·2019

This review explores three interconnected biological processes that may cause fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS): the immune system attacking the body's own tissues, inflammation in the nervous system, and damage to small nerve fibers. The authors propose that these three mechanisms work together and may explain why patients experience widespread pain, extreme fatigue, and other symptoms like brain fog and sleep problems. They also examine whether similar mechanisms might explain some adverse reactions to HPV vaccination.

NeuroinflammationImmune System

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

Cannabis-induced Acute Coronary Syndrome: A Coincidence or Not?

Landa, Eric, Vigandt, Erika, Andreev, Alexander et al.·Cureus·2019

This case report describes one patient who had a heart attack (myocardial infarction) shortly after smoking marijuana. The patient was a 42-year-old man with no previous heart problems who experienced chest pain at rest about one hour after using marijuana. The authors suggest that marijuana may have triggered the heart attack, though this is considered a rare occurrence.

E3 PreliminaryDiagnosticPEM unclearMethods-Paper

Approaching recovery from myalgic encephalomyelitis and chronic fatigue syndrome: Challenges to consider in research and practice.

Devendorf, Andrew R, Jackson, Carly T, Sunnquist, Madison et al.·Journal of health psychology·2019

This study interviewed 13 doctors who treat ME/CFS to understand the challenges they face when trying to measure whether patients are getting better. The researchers found four main areas that make recovery difficult to assess: differences in how the illness affects people at different ages, the fact that ME/CFS shows up differently in different patients, trouble keeping track of patients over time, and practical difficulties in measuring improvement.

InterventionsDiagnostics

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM unclearMechanistic

Transient receptor potential melastatin 2 channels are overexpressed in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome patients.

Balinas, Cassandra, Cabanas, Helene, Staines, Donald et al.·Journal of translational medicine·2019

This study looked at immune cells called NK cells in people with ME/CFS, focusing on special channels on their surface called TRPM2 that control calcium flow. Researchers found that ME/CFS patients had higher levels of these TRPM2 channels compared to healthy people, and their NK cells were less effective at fighting infections. When researchers tried two different drugs to modify these channels, the drugs reduced TRPM2 levels but did not improve the cells' ability to fight infections.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) reactivation and therapeutic inhibitors.

Kerr, Jonathan R·Journal of clinical pathology·2019

This review examines how Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), a common virus that most people catch at some point in their lives, can become active again in the body—especially during stress—and may contribute to ME/CFS and other illnesses. The authors discuss ways to test for active EBV and review existing medications and supplements that might help prevent the virus from reactivating.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryDiagnosticPEM not requiredMethods-Paper

Obstacles to recruitment in paediatric studies focusing on mental health in a physical health context: the experiences of clinical gatekeepers in an observational cohort study.

Loades, Maria E, Smith, Lucie, Higson-Sweeney, Nina et al.·BMC medical research methodology·2019

This study looked at why it's hard to recruit young people with ME/CFS into research studies about mental health. Researchers interviewed doctors and nurses at a specialist ME/CFS clinic to understand what makes it difficult for them to invite patients to join studies. They found that busy schedules, emotional patient appointments, and competing studies all made recruitment harder.

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and chronic pain conditions - vitally protective systems gone wrong.

Pedersen, Maria·Scandinavian journal of pain·2019

This review explains that ME/CFS and chronic pain conditions share important similarities—both involve protective body signals that were helpful in the short term but become problematic when they persist long-term. The authors suggest that our brain's tendency to anticipate and predict threats may play a role in keeping these conditions going, which helps explain why treatments focusing on stress relief and changing thought patterns can sometimes help patients improve.

Pain and Sensitization

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM unclearMechanistic

Epstein-Barr Virus dUTPase Induces Neuroinflammatory Mediators: Implications for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Williams PhD, Marshall V, Cox, Brandon, Lafuse PhD, William P et al.·Clinical therapeutics·2019

This study explores whether a protein from the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) may trigger brain inflammation in ME/CFS patients. Researchers found that this viral protein can change how brain cells function and alter important chemical pathways involved in energy, mood, and pain processing. The findings suggest that in some ME/CFS patients, this viral protein might contribute to fatigue, pain, and thinking difficulties.

NeuroinflammationImmune System

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Understanding neuromuscular disorders in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Jammes, Yves, Retornaz, Frédérique·F1000Research·2019

This study examined how muscles work differently in people with ME/CFS. Researchers found that both the brain's ability to signal muscles and the muscles' ability to respond are impaired in ME/CFS patients. The muscles also appear to have trouble managing harmful molecules called free radicals, especially after exercise, and they may not be producing enough protective proteins that normally shield cells from damage.

Energy MetabolismPost-Exertional Malaise

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM unclearMechanistic

Changes in circulating microRNA after recumbent isometric yoga practice by patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome: an explorative pilot study.

Takakura, Shu, Oka, Takakazu, Sudo, Nobuyuki·BioPsychoSocial medicine·2019

This small study tested whether a gentle form of yoga (practiced lying down with adjustable resistance) could help ME/CFS patients feel less tired. Nine patients with ME/CFS who hadn't improved with standard treatment practiced this yoga for 3 months. Their fatigue scores improved significantly, and their blood showed changes in tiny molecules called microRNAs that may be related to how the yoga helped reduce their tiredness.

Biomarkers

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Myalgic encephalomyelitis or chronic fatigue syndrome: how could the illness develop?

Morris, Gerwyn, Maes, Michael, Berk, Michael et al.·Metabolic brain disease·2019

This study proposes a theory for how ME/CFS might develop, starting with an infection that triggers lasting problems in the body's immune system and stress response. The authors suggest that in genetically vulnerable people, this leads to a chain of events: increased inflammation, intestinal problems that allow bacteria-related substances to enter the bloodstream, nervous system dysfunction, and eventually a state where the immune system becomes exhausted and less able to fight back. This model tries to explain why ME/CFS patients have the specific symptoms and lab abnormalities doctors observe.

NeuroinflammationImmune System

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS): a common but unfamiliar syndrome.

van der Zalm, T, Alsma, J, van de Poll, S W E et al.·The Netherlands journal of medicine·2019

POTS is a condition where standing up quickly causes your heart to beat much faster than normal, and you may feel dizzy, tired, or unwell. This paper describes two different patients with POTS to show how differently the condition can appear from person to person. The authors explain that POTS can overlap with chronic fatigue syndrome and suggest that simple treatments like drinking more water and salt, along with exercise, often help before considering medications.

Autonomic Nervous System

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"It's not one size fits all"; the use of videoconferencing for delivering therapy in a Specialist Paediatric Chronic Fatigue Service.

Editorial: Advances in ME/CFS Research and Clinical Care.

Exercise challenge alters Default Mode Network dynamics in Gulf War Illness.

Hyperactivation of proprioceptors induces microglia-mediated long-lasting pain in a rat model of chronic fatigue syndrome.

Severe posterior hypometabolism but normal perfusion in a patient with chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis revealed by PET/MRI.

Mitochondrial complex activity in permeabilised cells of chronic fatigue syndrome patients using two cell types.

Persistent fatigue induced by interferon-alpha: a novel, inflammation-based, proxy model of chronic fatigue syndrome.

Epstein-Barr Virus Induced Gene-2 Upregulation Identifies a Particular Subtype of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis.

Neuroimmunology: What Role for Autoimmunity, Neuroinflammation, and Small Fiber Neuropathy in Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and Adverse Events after Human Papillomavirus Vaccination?

Cannabis-induced Acute Coronary Syndrome: A Coincidence or Not?

Approaching recovery from myalgic encephalomyelitis and chronic fatigue syndrome: Challenges to consider in research and practice.

Transient receptor potential melastatin 2 channels are overexpressed in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome patients.

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) reactivation and therapeutic inhibitors.

Obstacles to recruitment in paediatric studies focusing on mental health in a physical health context: the experiences of clinical gatekeepers in an observational cohort study.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and chronic pain conditions - vitally protective systems gone wrong.

Epstein-Barr Virus dUTPase Induces Neuroinflammatory Mediators: Implications for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Understanding neuromuscular disorders in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Changes in circulating microRNA after recumbent isometric yoga practice by patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome: an explorative pilot study.

Myalgic encephalomyelitis or chronic fatigue syndrome: how could the illness develop?

Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS): a common but unfamiliar syndrome.

Curated Collections

Neuroinflammation Evidence

Metabolism & Mitochondria

Biomarkers

PEM-Specific Research