ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

2422 studies

861–880 of 2,422 studies

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

Severe eosinophilic colitis caused by neuropathic agents in a patient with chronic fatigue syndrome and functional abdominal pain: case report and review of the literature.

Fragkos, Konstantinos C, Barragry, John, Fernando, Charisma Shahi et al.·Zeitschrift fur Gastroenterologie·2018

This case report describes one young woman with ME/CFS and chronic pain who developed severe inflammation in her colon (eosinophilic colitis) after taking two common pain medications—gabapentin and pregabalin. Her symptoms improved when she stopped the medications and received steroid treatment. This is an extremely rare side effect, but doctors should be aware of it if ME/CFS patients taking these drugs develop abdominal pain, diarrhea, and blood cell changes.

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM unclearMechanistic

Impaired calcium mobilization in natural killer cells from chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis patients is associated with transient receptor potential melastatin 3 ion channels.

Nguyen, T, Johnston, S, Clarke, L et al.·Clinical and experimental immunology·2017

This study examined immune cells called natural killer cells in ME/CFS patients and healthy people to understand how calcium moves in and out of these cells. Researchers found that ME/CFS patients have lower levels of a specific channel (TRPM3) that helps control calcium movement in certain types of natural killer cells. The study suggests that problems with calcium signaling in these immune cells may contribute to how the immune system behaves differently in ME/CFS patients.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

Post-polio syndrome. Cases report and review of literature.

Pastuszak, Żanna, Stępień, Adam, Tomczykiewicz, Kazimierz et al.·Neurologia i neurochirurgia polska·2017

Post-polio syndrome (PPS) is a condition that affects some people who survived polio infection, typically appearing 15 or more years after the initial infection. Common symptoms include progressive muscle weakness, muscle wasting, joint pain, fatigue that interferes with daily activities, and abnormal sensations. This study examined three patients who developed PPS and used electrical testing of muscles (electromyography) to track how their condition changed over time.

E3 PreliminaryDiagnosticPEM unclearMethods-Paper

XMRV and Public Health: The Retroviral Genome Is Not a Suitable Template for Diagnostic PCR, and Its Association with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Appears Unreliable.

Panelli, Simona, Lorusso, Lorenzo, Balestrieri, Alessandro et al.·Frontiers in public health·2017

This study investigated whether a virus called XMRV could be reliably detected in people with ME/CFS using standard testing methods. The researchers found that the tests designed to find this virus were not working properly—they were picking up false positives because the virus's genetic code looks very similar to parts of normal human DNA. This explains why different labs kept getting different results when trying to test for XMRV.

E3 PreliminaryDiagnosticPEM not requiredMethods-Paper

A robust, single-injection method for targeted, broad-spectrum plasma metabolomics.

Li, Kefeng, Naviaux, Jane C, Bright, A Taylor et al.·Metabolomics : Official journal of the Metabolomic Society·2017

Researchers developed a new, efficient blood test that can measure over 600 different molecules (metabolites) in a single sample to help diagnose ME/CFS. The test was validated by showing it could correctly identify ME/CFS patients with 95% accuracy compared to healthy controls, even when tested again more than a year later by different researchers.

Biomarkers

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Nitrosative Stress, Hypernitrosylation, and Autoimmune Responses to Nitrosylated Proteins: New Pathways in Neuroprogressive Disorders Including Depression and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Morris, Gerwyn, Berk, Michael, Klein, Hans et al.·Molecular neurobiology·2017

This study proposes that ME/CFS may be caused by a harmful process called 'hypernitrosylation,' where a molecule called nitric oxide damages proteins in cells, particularly those responsible for producing energy and fighting infections. When this damage becomes chronic, it can disable the body's natural repair systems and trigger the immune system to attack the body's own proteins. The researchers suggest this process could explain many ME/CFS symptoms, including fatigue, cognitive problems, and how bacterial toxins may trigger or worsen the disease.

NeuroinflammationImmune System

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredMechanistic

The variation of the 5-hydroxytryptamine system between chronic unpredictable mild stress rats and chronic fatigue syndrome rats induced by forced treadmill running.

Cao, Yin, Li, Qinglin·Neuroreport·2017

This study compared how serotonin (a brain chemical linked to mood and energy) works differently in two types of animal models—one mimicking stress-related depression and another mimicking ME/CFS. Surprisingly, the two conditions showed opposite patterns: the stress model had low serotonin levels, while the fatigue model had high serotonin levels, suggesting these conditions may involve different biological mechanisms even though both cause low activity and mood problems.

E3 PreliminaryDiagnosticPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Important factors to consider when treating children with chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME): perspectives of health professionals from specialist services.

Parslow, Roxanne M, Shaw, Alison, Haywood, Kirstie L et al.·BMC pediatrics·2017

This study asked specialist doctors and nurses who treat children with ME/CFS what they believe are the most important things to measure when checking how well a child is doing. The experts identified four key areas: symptoms (like fatigue and pain), physical ability to do things, participation in school and social activities, and emotional wellbeing. The goal is to create a better way to measure treatment success that matches what children and families actually care about.

E3 PreliminaryBehavioralPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Inducing Somatic Symptoms in Functional Syndrome Patients: Effects of Manipulating State Negative Affect.

Van Den Houte, Maaike, Bogaerts, Katleen, Van Diest, Ilse et al.·Psychosomatic medicine·2017

This study looked at whether negative emotions can trigger or worsen physical symptoms in people with ME/CFS and fibromyalgia. Researchers showed patients and healthy people emotionally negative, neutral, and positive pictures, then asked them to report what physical symptoms they felt. Patients with ME/CFS and fibromyalgia reported more symptoms after viewing negative pictures, while healthy people did not. The effect was stronger in patients who had difficulty recognizing their own feelings or who became deeply absorbed in things.

E3 PreliminaryGuidelinePEM requiredGuideline

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Diagnosis and Management in Young People: A Primer.

Rowe, Peter C, Underhill, Rosemary A, Friedman, Kenneth J et al.·Frontiers in pediatrics·2017

This guide helps doctors understand and diagnose ME/CFS in children and teenagers. ME/CFS causes extreme tiredness and makes it hard for young people to do physical or mental activities—with symptoms often getting worse after even small efforts and lasting for days or longer. The guide explains that there is no single test for ME/CFS, so doctors must diagnose it based on symptoms and by ruling out other conditions, and recommends that treatment focus on finding the right balance between rest and activity.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Emotional conflict processing in adolescent chronic fatigue syndrome: A pilot study using functional magnetic resonance imaging.

Wortinger, Laura Anne, Endestad, Tor, Melinder, Annika Maria D et al.·Journal of clinical and experimental neuropsychology·2017

This study looked at how the brains of teenagers with ME/CFS process emotions and handle conflicting information. Researchers used brain imaging to watch what happened when young people with ME/CFS and healthy teenagers tried to identify emotions in faces while being distracted by conflicting words. Teenagers with ME/CFS showed weaker brain responses in areas that handle emotions and decision-making, and their brain activity was linked to how severe their fatigue was.

Cognitive Impairment

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredMechanistic

Characterization of a protein-bound polysaccharide from Herba Epimedii and its metabolic mechanism in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Chi, Aiping, Shen, Zhimei, Zhu, Wenfei et al.·Journal of ethnopharmacology·2017

This study tested a natural compound extracted from Herba Epimedii (a traditional Chinese herb) to see if it could help treat chronic fatigue. Researchers gave the compound to rats with CFS-like symptoms and measured changes in their urine chemistry. They found that the treatment reversed several chemical imbalances associated with fatigue, suggesting the herb may work by restoring normal metabolism.

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

Sympathetic neural hyperalgesia edema syndrome as a cause of autoimmune hearing loss.

Check, J H·Clinical and experimental obstetrics & gynecology·2017

This case study describes one woman with ME/CFS, pelvic pain, and diarrhea who was given the stimulant medication dextroamphetamine to help with fertility. Unexpectedly, not only did her ME/CFS symptoms improve, but her hearing loss—which had not responded to months of steroid treatment—also significantly improved, as confirmed by hearing tests.

Autonomic Nervous System

E3 PreliminaryBehavioralPEM unclearObservational

A qualitative investigation of eating difficulties in adolescents with chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis.

Harris, Sarah, Gilbert, Matthew, Beasant, Lucy et al.·Clinical child psychology and psychiatry·2017

This study looked at why some teenagers with ME/CFS have trouble eating. Researchers interviewed 11 teenagers and found that eating difficulties were caused by stomach symptoms, fatigue making it hard to eat, and changes in how food tasted or smelled. These eating problems affected their weight, energy levels, mood, and family life. The teenagers found that changing what they ate, family support, and medical help (like medications) were helpful.

E3 PreliminaryCommentaryPEM unclearEditorial

[Environmental medical syndromes].

Wiesmüller, Gerhard A, Hornberg, Claudia·Bundesgesundheitsblatt, Gesundheitsforschung, Gesundheitsschutz·2017

This editorial discusses several conditions that seem related to environmental exposures and stress, including ME/CFS, fibromyalgia, and multiple chemical sensitivities. The authors explain that we don't yet fully understand what causes these conditions or how to diagnose and treat them properly. They emphasize that doctors should take patients seriously and help them even while research continues to find answers.

Diagnostics

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredMechanistic

Cellular bioenergetics is impaired in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Tomas, Cara, Brown, Audrey, Strassheim, Victoria et al.·PloS one·2017

This study examined how cells in ME/CFS patients produce energy differently than in healthy people. Researchers tested immune cells from patients and found that when these cells are under stress, they cannot ramp up their energy production as much as healthy cells can. This suggests that ME/CFS patients' cells may struggle to meet energy demands, especially during periods of physical or mental exertion.

Energy Metabolism

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM requiredCross-Sectional

Exercise - induced changes in cerebrospinal fluid miRNAs in Gulf War Illness, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and sedentary control subjects.

Baraniuk, James N, Shivapurkar, Narayan·Scientific reports·2017

Researchers studied brain fluid from people with Gulf War Illness and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) before and after exercise to understand why exercise makes symptoms worse. They found that exercise changes certain molecules called microRNAs in the brain fluid, and these changes were different in people with CFS compared to Gulf War Illness patients. This suggests that the biological reasons these conditions cause post-exertional exhaustion may be different, even though the symptoms look similar.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

A tiny tick can cause a big health problem.

John, Manuel, Raman, M, Ryan, Keith·Indian journal of ophthalmology·2017

This study describes rare cases of ticks biting people on the eyelid area in India. Ticks are tiny bugs that can carry serious diseases. The doctors had to carefully remove the ticks to avoid leaving parts behind, which could cause infection. The study highlights that tick-borne diseases, including ones that can cause chronic fatigue and other long-term health problems, are becoming more common in India and need prompt treatment.

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM requiredMechanistic

Neural consequences of post-exertion malaise in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Cook, Dane B, Light, Alan R, Light, Kathleen C et al.·Brain, behavior, and immunity·2017

This study examined what happens in the brains of ME/CFS patients after exercise. Researchers asked 15 patients and 15 healthy people to exercise for 30 minutes, then used brain imaging to see how their brains worked before and 24 hours after exercise. ME/CFS patients' symptoms got much worse after exercise, their thinking and memory got worse, and their brain activity changed in specific ways—showing that exercise triggered real, measurable changes in how their brains functioned.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

FITNET's Internet-Based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Is Ineffective and May Impede Natural Recovery in Adolescents with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. A Review.

Ghatineh, Simin, Vink, Mark·Behavioral sciences (Basel, Switzerland)·2017

This review examined a Dutch study called FITNET that claimed internet-based cognitive behavior therapy helped adolescents with ME/CFS recover at high rates. The reviewers found serious problems with how the study was designed and analyzed, including how they defined 'recovery' and that they didn't use objective measurements like activity monitors to confirm their results. The study actually found no meaningful difference between the therapy group and the usual care group at long-term follow-up, suggesting the treatment may not have worked as claimed.

Interventions

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Severe eosinophilic colitis caused by neuropathic agents in a patient with chronic fatigue syndrome and functional abdominal pain: case report and review of the literature.

Impaired calcium mobilization in natural killer cells from chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis patients is associated with transient receptor potential melastatin 3 ion channels.

Post-polio syndrome. Cases report and review of literature.

XMRV and Public Health: The Retroviral Genome Is Not a Suitable Template for Diagnostic PCR, and Its Association with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Appears Unreliable.

A robust, single-injection method for targeted, broad-spectrum plasma metabolomics.

Nitrosative Stress, Hypernitrosylation, and Autoimmune Responses to Nitrosylated Proteins: New Pathways in Neuroprogressive Disorders Including Depression and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

The variation of the 5-hydroxytryptamine system between chronic unpredictable mild stress rats and chronic fatigue syndrome rats induced by forced treadmill running.

Important factors to consider when treating children with chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME): perspectives of health professionals from specialist services.

Inducing Somatic Symptoms in Functional Syndrome Patients: Effects of Manipulating State Negative Affect.

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Diagnosis and Management in Young People: A Primer.

Emotional conflict processing in adolescent chronic fatigue syndrome: A pilot study using functional magnetic resonance imaging.

Characterization of a protein-bound polysaccharide from Herba Epimedii and its metabolic mechanism in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Sympathetic neural hyperalgesia edema syndrome as a cause of autoimmune hearing loss.

A qualitative investigation of eating difficulties in adolescents with chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis.

[Environmental medical syndromes].

Cellular bioenergetics is impaired in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Exercise - induced changes in cerebrospinal fluid miRNAs in Gulf War Illness, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and sedentary control subjects.

A tiny tick can cause a big health problem.

Neural consequences of post-exertion malaise in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

FITNET's Internet-Based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Is Ineffective and May Impede Natural Recovery in Adolescents with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. A Review.

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