ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

181–184 of 184 studies

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM unclearObservational

Chronic fatigue syndrome differs from fibromyalgia. No evidence for elevated substance P levels in cerebrospinal fluid of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Evengard, B, Nilsson, C G, Lindh, G et al.·Pain·1998

Researchers measured a pain-signaling chemical called substance P in the spinal fluid of 15 people with ME/CFS. They found that all the ME/CFS patients had normal levels of this chemical. This is important because fibromyalgia—a condition with similar symptoms—typically shows elevated substance P levels. This finding suggests that ME/CFS and fibromyalgia may be caused by different biological problems, even though patients experience some overlapping symptoms.

Neuroinflammation

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

Are cytokines associated with neuropsychiatric syndromes in humans?

Hickie, I, Lloyd, A·International journal of immunopharmacology·1995

This paper suggests that immune molecules called cytokines—which your body produces during infections or inflammation—may affect your brain and behavior in ways that look like psychiatric symptoms such as depression, fatigue, loss of appetite, and difficulty thinking clearly. The authors review evidence from various illnesses where these immune-related behavioral changes happen together, including ME/CFS, and propose that cytokines may be the biological link between immune activation and these symptoms.

NeuroinflammationImmune System

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Stealth viruses as neuropathogens.

Martin, W J·CAP today·1994

This article suggests that certain stealth viruses may damage the nervous system and contribute to various brain-related conditions, including ME/CFS. The authors note that diseases like ME/CFS, fibromyalgia, depression, and autism share overlapping symptoms—such as pain, mood changes, and cognitive problems—which may reflect a common underlying problem in how the brain responds to different triggers.

Neuroinflammation

E3 PreliminaryCommentaryPEM unclearEditorial

Raphe nucleus encephalopathy (myalgic encephalomyelitis, epidemic neuromyasthenia).

Maurizi, C P·Medical hypotheses·1985

This 1985 paper proposes that ME/CFS may be caused by damage to a specific brain region called the dorsal raphe nucleus, potentially triggered by Coxsackie B viruses. The symptoms of ME/CFS match what doctors would expect to see if serotonin levels were too low in this area of the brain. The authors suggest that stress and nutritional deficiencies in tryptophan (a building block for serotonin) may make the condition more likely to develop.

Neuroinflammation

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Evidence browser

Chronic fatigue syndrome differs from fibromyalgia. No evidence for elevated substance P levels in cerebrospinal fluid of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Are cytokines associated with neuropsychiatric syndromes in humans?

Stealth viruses as neuropathogens.

Raphe nucleus encephalopathy (myalgic encephalomyelitis, epidemic neuromyasthenia).

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