ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

181–200 of 1,185 studies

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

Affective and chronic fatigue symptoms are associated with serum neuronal damage markers in Parkinson's disease.

Al-Hakeim, Hussein Kadhem, Khudhair, Hayder Naji, Ranaei-Siadat, Sayed-Omid et al.·Scientific reports·2025

This study looked at people with Parkinson's disease who also experienced depression and extreme fatigue, similar to ME/CFS. Researchers found that certain proteins in the blood that signal brain cell damage were elevated in these patients, and these proteins were connected to inflammation, blood sugar problems, and the mood and fatigue symptoms they experienced.

Immune SystemNeuroinflammation

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearLongitudinal

AI-driven multi-omics modeling of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome.

Xiong, Ruoyun, Aiken, Elizabeth, Caldwell, Ryan et al.·Nature medicine·2025

Researchers used artificial intelligence to analyze blood, gut bacteria, immune cells, and symptoms from 249 ME/CFS patients tracked over 4 years. The AI model discovered that ME/CFS involves abnormal patterns in gut bacteria products, blood fats, and immune cells that attack infections—particularly special T cells that become overactive. These findings suggest ME/CFS isn't caused by a single problem but by multiple connected systems going wrong together.

Energy MetabolismBiomarkersImmune SystemGut Microbiome

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCase-Control

Killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR) alleles suggested to be associated with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS).

Ramadan, Donia Jamal, Kichula, Katherine M, Tao, Sudan et al.·Brain, behavior, and immunity·2025

This study examined specific genetic variations in natural killer (NK) cells—immune cells that help fight infections—in people with ME/CFS compared to healthy people. Researchers found that certain genetic variants were more common in ME/CFS patients while others were less common, suggesting that differences in how NK cells are regulated may play a role in ME/CFS. This supports the idea that immune system dysfunction is involved in the condition.

Immune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredObservational

Single-Center Study of Therapeutic Apheresis in 24 Male Patients from the MENA Region: Reduction of Lipids, Inflammatory Markers, Autoantibodies, and Implications for Fatigue, Genetics, and Aging.

Steenblock, Charlotte, Walther, Romy, Kok, Yannick et al.·Hormone and metabolic research = Hormon- und Stoffwechselforschung = Hormones et metabolisme·2025

This study tested a blood-cleaning procedure called apheresis in 24 men from the Middle East and North Africa who had chronic fatigue and metabolic problems like diabetes or high cholesterol. The procedure removed harmful fats and immune molecules from their blood. After treatment, patients showed improvements in their blood work, with reduced inflammatory markers and autoantibodies that may contribute to fatigue.

Immune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Clinical and Laboratory Characteristics of Fatigue-Dominant Long-COVID Subjects: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Lee, Jin-Seok, Choi, Yujin, Joung, Jin-Yong et al.·The American journal of medicine·2025

This study looked at 100 people with long COVID who experience significant ongoing fatigue, similar to ME/CFS. Researchers measured fatigue levels and checked blood levels of cortisol (a stress hormone) and other immune markers. They found that people with lower cortisol levels reported worse fatigue and lower quality of life, suggesting a possible connection between this hormone and fatigue severity.

Immune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCase-Control

SMPDL3B a novel biomarker and therapeutic target in myalgic encephalomyelitis.

Rostami-Afshari, Bita, Elremaly, Wesam, Franco, Anita et al.·Journal of translational medicine·2025

Researchers in Canada and Norway studied a protein called SMPDL3B in people with ME/CFS and found it was associated with higher severity of symptoms, particularly in women. In laboratory experiments, two diabetes medications (vildagliptin and saxagliptin) showed signs of restoring normal levels of this protein in immune cells, suggesting a possible future treatment approach. However, this is early-stage research; clinical trials would be needed before these medications could be tested in ME/CFS patients.

BiomarkersImmune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Peripheral Levels of Selected Biomarkers in Patients with Post-Sarcoidosis Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Małujło-Balcerska, Elżbieta, Bączek, Karol, Górski, Witold et al.·Journal of inflammation research·2025

This study looked at 71 people with sarcoidosis (a disease that causes inflammation) to understand why some feel extremely tired even after their disease improves. Researchers measured inflammation markers in the blood and found that people with lingering fatigue had higher levels of a protein called IL-6 compared to those without fatigue. The findings suggest that low-grade inflammation may be keeping people fatigued even when their disease appears to be under control.

Immune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearObservational

Immune Signatures in Post-Acute Sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC) and Myalgia/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS): Insights from the Fecal Microbiome and Serum Cytokine Profiles.

Tobi, Martin, Chaudhari, Diptaraj, Ryan, Elizabeth P et al.·Biomolecules·2025

Researchers compared gut bacteria and immune molecules in the blood of people with long COVID and chronic fatigue syndrome. They found that people with these conditions have unusual patterns of gut bacteria and different levels of immune signaling molecules compared to healthy controls. These differences suggest the immune system and gut health may play a role in why some people develop long-lasting fatigue after infection.

Immune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Deep sequencing of BCR heavy chain repertoires in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome.

Ryback, Audrey A, Cowan, Graeme J M·Frontiers in immunology·2025

This study examined immune system cells called B cells in people with ME/CFS to see if the disease might be caused by chronic infections or autoimmune problems. Researchers compared blood samples from 25 patients with mild/moderate ME/CFS, 36 with severe ME/CFS, healthy people, and people with multiple sclerosis. They found that ME/CFS patients' B cells did not show the typical patterns expected if chronic infection or autoimmunity were the main cause, though they did notice a difference in the balance of certain antibody types in milder cases.

Immune SystemSevere ME

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Association of circulating biomarkers with illness severity measures differentiates myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome and post-COVID-19 condition: a prospective pilot cohort study.

Domingo, Joan Carles, Battistini, Federica, Cordobilla, Begoña et al.·Journal of translational medicine·2024

This study compared blood markers and body responses between people with ME/CFS, people with long COVID, and healthy controls. Researchers found that people with ME/CFS had distinct patterns of inflammation and blood vessel dysfunction compared to long COVID patients, suggesting these are different conditions with different underlying problems. By measuring specific proteins in the blood and testing how the body responds to positional changes, researchers could tell the two patient groups apart.

BiomarkersImmune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM requiredCross-Sectional

Comparison of T-cell receptor diversity of people with myalgic encephalomyelitis versus controls.

Dibble, Joshua J, Ferneyhough, Ben, Roddis, Matthew et al.·BMC research notes·2024

Researchers studied immune cells called T-cells in people with ME/CFS to see if they were different from those in healthy people. They looked at genetic patterns in blood samples from 40 people in each group: those severely affected by ME/CFS, those mildly or moderately affected, people with multiple sclerosis, and healthy controls. Although they used advanced technology and computer programs to analyze the data, they found that the T-cell patterns were not notably different between the groups.

Immune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM requiredCross-Sectional

Immunological Patient Stratification in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Rohrhofer, Johanna, Hauser, Lisa, Lettenmaier, Lisa et al.·Journal of clinical medicine·2024

This study found that ME/CFS patients have different types of immune system problems. Researchers divided patients into two groups: those with weakened immune systems and those with normal immune systems. The two groups showed different patterns of illness—one group had low levels of a protective immune protein, while the other group had signs that their gut barrier was leaking. This suggests that ME/CFS may not be one disease but rather multiple conditions that need different treatment approaches.

Immune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

In major dysmood disorder, physiosomatic, chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia symptoms are driven by immune activation and increased immune-associated neurotoxicity.

Maes, Michael, Almulla, Abbas F, Zhou, Bo et al.·Scientific reports·2024

This study found that people with severe depression often experience fatigue and pain symptoms similar to ME/CFS, and these symptoms are linked to overactive immune responses in the body. Researchers measured immune molecules in the blood of severely depressed patients and healthy controls, and discovered that specific immune markers—particularly IL-16 and IL-8—were associated with how severe the fatigue and physical symptoms were. The study suggests that difficult life experiences and traumatic childhood events may trigger these immune changes, leading to the physical symptoms that patients experience.

Immune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Metabolomic and immune alterations in long COVID patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Saito, Suguru, Shahbaz, Shima, Luo, Xian et al.·Frontiers in immunology·2024

This study looked at blood samples from people with long COVID who have ME/CFS-like symptoms and compared them to people who recovered from COVID, people with acute COVID, and people who never had COVID. Researchers found that long COVID patients had unusual chemical patterns in their blood, higher levels of inflammation-promoting substances, and lower energy molecules (ATP). They also discovered that two specific chemicals (sarcosine and serine) were reduced in long COVID patients and connected to depression, anxiety, and brain fog.

Energy MetabolismImmune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Plasma and peritoneal fluid cytokine profiles in patient with Essure® implant: Towards a molecular signature?

Garnier, Lorna, Parant, François, Bulteau, Claire et al.·European journal of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive biology·2024

Researchers measured inflammation markers (cytokines) in blood and fluid from the abdomen in women with Essure implants, women with endometriosis, and healthy controls. They found that women with Essure implants had higher levels of two specific inflammation markers (MCP-1 and TNF-α) in their blood compared to controls. These same markers are known to be elevated in fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome, suggesting they might be relevant to understanding Essure-related symptoms.

Immune System

E2 ModerateMechanismPEM unclearMechanistic

Data-independent LC-MS/MS analysis of ME/CFS plasma reveals a dysregulated coagulation system, endothelial dysfunction, downregulation of complement machinery.

Nunes, Massimo, Vlok, Mare, Proal, Amy et al.·Cardiovascular diabetology·2024

Researchers analyzed blood proteins in 15 ME/CFS patients and 10 healthy controls to look for differences that might explain ME/CFS symptoms. They found that ME/CFS patients had abnormal levels of proteins involved in blood clotting, blood vessel function, and immune system regulation. These findings suggest that problems with blood clotting and blood vessel health may play a role in ME/CFS.

BiomarkersImmune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Reactivation of herpesvirus type 6 and IgA/IgM-mediated responses to activin-A underpin long COVID, including affective symptoms and chronic fatigue syndrome.

Vojdani, Aristo, Almulla, Abbas F, Zhou, Bo et al.·Acta neuropsychiatrica·2024

This study found that long COVID patients have higher levels of antibodies (immune proteins) against reactivated dormant viruses, particularly herpesvirus type 6, along with signs of ongoing inflammation and immune activation. The researchers identified a pattern of immune markers that correctly identified long COVID patients about 81% of the time, and similar patterns were linked to depression, anxiety, and fatigue symptoms. These findings suggest that viral reactivation combined with abnormal immune responses may drive long COVID and its associated mood and fatigue symptoms.

Immune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Exploring the role of galectin-9 and artemin as biomarkers in long COVID with chronic fatigue syndrome: links to inflammation and cognitive function.

Elahi, Shokrollah, Rezaeifar, Maryam, Osman, Mohammed et al.·Frontiers in immunology·2024

Researchers studied two proteins in the blood—galectin-9 and artemin—to see if they could help identify people with Long COVID who also have ME/CFS. They found that galectin-9 levels were higher in Long COVID patients and were linked to inflammation and thinking problems. These proteins may help doctors distinguish Long COVID with ME/CFS from people who recovered normally from COVID-19.

Immune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Systemic antibody responses against gut microbiota flagellins implicate shared and divergent immune reactivity in Crohn's disease and chronic fatigue syndrome.

Bourgonje, Arno R, Hörstke, Nicolai V, Fehringer, Michaela et al.·Microbiome·2024

This study looked at immune responses in ME/CFS and Crohn's disease patients by measuring antibodies against proteins from gut bacteria called flagellins. Researchers found that both patient groups had elevated antibodies against these bacterial proteins, but the pattern of where these antibodies attached differed between the two diseases. These antibody patterns could potentially help doctors diagnose ME/CFS and understand how the immune system may be responding abnormally to gut bacteria.

Immune SystemGut Microbiome

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Untargeted Metabolomics and Quantitative Analysis of Tryptophan Metabolites in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis Patients and Healthy Volunteers: A Comparative Study Using High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry.

Abujrais, Sandy, Vallianatou, Theodosia, Bergquist, Jonas·ACS chemical neuroscience·2024

Researchers compared blood chemistry between 38 people with ME/CFS and 24 healthy people to understand what might be different in their bodies. They found several chemical imbalances, particularly in how the body processes tryptophan (an amino acid) and in pathways related to energy production and inflammation. These differences suggest that ME/CFS patients may experience unusual immune activity and stress damage to their cells.

Energy MetabolismImmune System

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Evidence browser

Affective and chronic fatigue symptoms are associated with serum neuronal damage markers in Parkinson's disease.

AI-driven multi-omics modeling of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome.

Killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR) alleles suggested to be associated with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS).

Single-Center Study of Therapeutic Apheresis in 24 Male Patients from the MENA Region: Reduction of Lipids, Inflammatory Markers, Autoantibodies, and Implications for Fatigue, Genetics, and Aging.

Clinical and Laboratory Characteristics of Fatigue-Dominant Long-COVID Subjects: A Cross-Sectional Study.

SMPDL3B a novel biomarker and therapeutic target in myalgic encephalomyelitis.

Peripheral Levels of Selected Biomarkers in Patients with Post-Sarcoidosis Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Immune Signatures in Post-Acute Sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC) and Myalgia/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS): Insights from the Fecal Microbiome and Serum Cytokine Profiles.

Deep sequencing of BCR heavy chain repertoires in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome.

Association of circulating biomarkers with illness severity measures differentiates myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome and post-COVID-19 condition: a prospective pilot cohort study.

Comparison of T-cell receptor diversity of people with myalgic encephalomyelitis versus controls.

Immunological Patient Stratification in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

In major dysmood disorder, physiosomatic, chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia symptoms are driven by immune activation and increased immune-associated neurotoxicity.

Metabolomic and immune alterations in long COVID patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Plasma and peritoneal fluid cytokine profiles in patient with Essure® implant: Towards a molecular signature?

Data-independent LC-MS/MS analysis of ME/CFS plasma reveals a dysregulated coagulation system, endothelial dysfunction, downregulation of complement machinery.

Reactivation of herpesvirus type 6 and IgA/IgM-mediated responses to activin-A underpin long COVID, including affective symptoms and chronic fatigue syndrome.

Exploring the role of galectin-9 and artemin as biomarkers in long COVID with chronic fatigue syndrome: links to inflammation and cognitive function.

Systemic antibody responses against gut microbiota flagellins implicate shared and divergent immune reactivity in Crohn's disease and chronic fatigue syndrome.

Untargeted Metabolomics and Quantitative Analysis of Tryptophan Metabolites in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis Patients and Healthy Volunteers: A Comparative Study Using High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry.

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