ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

201–213 of 213 studies

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM unclearMechanistic

Hypothalamic digoxin, cerebral chemical dominance and myalgic encephalomyelitis.

Kurup, Ravi Kumar, Kurup, Parameswara Achutha·The International journal of neuroscience·2003

This study examined chemical pathways in the brains of 15 ME/CFS patients, focusing on how the body produces energy and manages stress. Researchers found that people with ME/CFS had lower levels of important protective molecules and higher levels of harmful byproducts, along with imbalances in brain chemicals that affect mood, energy, and pain. The study suggests these biochemical problems may be linked to how the brain is organized in people with ME/CFS.

Energy Metabolism

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredMechanistic

Integration of gene expression, clinical, and epidemiologic data to characterize Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Whistler, Toni, Unger, Elizabeth R, Nisenbaum, Rosane et al.·Journal of translational medicine·2003

This study looked at blood samples from people with ME/CFS to see if the disease might actually be several different conditions rather than one. Researchers found that when they grouped patients by how their illness started, certain genes were turned on or off differently. These genes are involved in how the body produces energy, particularly through breaking down sugars and other molecules. This suggests that ME/CFS patients may have different underlying problems with their body's energy production systems.

Energy Metabolism

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

Nutritional strategies for treating chronic fatigue syndrome.

Werbach, M R·Alternative medicine review : a journal of clinical therapeutic·2000

This review examines whether nutritional deficiencies might play a role in ME/CFS and suggests that patients may benefit from supplementation. The authors identified several nutrients—including B vitamins, vitamin C, magnesium, and others—that appear to be lower in ME/CFS patients, likely due to the illness itself rather than poor diet. They recommend considering vitamin and mineral supplements as a trial treatment, since these supplements are generally safe and may help with both symptoms and recovery.

Energy Metabolism

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

[Carnitine as a vitamin-like biofactor].

Saheki, T·Nihon rinsho. Japanese journal of clinical medicine·1999

Carnitine is a natural substance in the body that helps cells produce energy by breaking down fats. This review discusses how carnitine performs multiple important functions beyond energy production, including supporting brain health and helping the body eliminate waste products. The authors suggest carnitine may play a role in chronic fatigue syndrome and other conditions involving energy metabolism.

Energy Metabolism

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredObservational

Changes in growth hormone, insulin, insulinlike growth factors (IGFs), and IGF-binding protein-1 in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Allain, T J, Bearn, J A, Coskeran, P et al.·Biological psychiatry·1997

This study looked at hormone levels in people with ME/CFS compared to healthy controls. Researchers found that ME/CFS patients had lower levels of two growth-related hormones (IGF-I and IGF-II), a weaker response to a hormone stimulation test, higher insulin levels, and lower levels of a protein that regulates these hormones. These differences suggest the hormone system that controls growth and metabolism may work differently in ME/CFS.

Energy Metabolism

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Increased concentrations of homocysteine in the cerebrospinal fluid in patients with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome.

Regland, B, Andersson, M, Abrahamsson, L et al.·Scandinavian journal of rheumatology·1997

Researchers tested the spinal fluid of 12 women who had both fibromyalgia and ME/CFS and found unusually high levels of a molecule called homocysteine in their brains and spinal cords. They also noticed that patients with lower vitamin B12 levels in their spinal fluid reported more severe fatigue. This suggests that a vitamin B12 deficiency might prevent the body from properly breaking down homocysteine, which could contribute to symptoms like exhaustion.

Energy Metabolism

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredObservational

Investigation by polymerase chain reaction of enteroviral infection in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

McArdle, A, McArdle, F, Jackson, M J et al.·Clinical science (London, England : 1979)·1996

Researchers wanted to test whether a virus called enterovirus might be hiding in the muscles of people with ME/CFS and causing the fatigue and pain. They took muscle samples from 34 patients and looked carefully for signs of enteroviral infection, but found none. However, they did find that muscle tissue showed signs of reduced activity, including lower levels of the building blocks that muscle cells need to function properly.

Energy Metabolism

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredCase-Control

Electron-microscopic investigation of muscle mitochondria in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Plioplys, A V, Plioplys, S·Neuropsychobiology·1995

This study examined muscle tissue from CFS patients under a powerful microscope to look for damage to mitochondria (the energy-producing structures in cells). Researchers compared 15 CFS patients with 15 healthy people and found no visible structural differences in the mitochondria between the two groups, even though CFS causes severe fatigue and weakness.

Energy Metabolism

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM unclearCase-Control

Unusual pattern of mitochondrial DNA deletions in skeletal muscle of an adult human with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Zhang, C, Baumer, A, Mackay, I R et al.·Human molecular genetics·1995

This 1995 study examined muscle tissue from one adult patient with ME/CFS and found an unusual pattern of damaged mitochondrial DNA (the energy-producing structures in our cells). The researchers compared this patient's muscle cells to control samples and discovered deletions—missing pieces—in the mitochondrial DNA that weren't typically seen in healthy people. This finding suggested that energy production problems in muscle cells might contribute to the fatigue experienced by ME/CFS patients.

Energy Metabolism

E3 PreliminaryCommentaryPEM not requiredEditorial

Eicosanoids and essential fatty acid modulation in chronic disease and the chronic fatigue syndrome.

Gray, J B, Martinovic, A M·Medical hypotheses·1994

This study proposes that ME/CFS may involve problems with how the body processes essential fatty acids—nutrients found in foods like fish and seeds. When stress is constant or too intense, the body's ability to use these fatty acids becomes sluggish, which can trigger ongoing immune system problems and exhaustion. The researchers suggest that changing your diet to better balance these fatty acids might help restore normal immune function and improve symptoms.

Energy MetabolismImmune System

E3 PreliminaryCommentaryPEM unclearEditorial

The grey area of effort syndrome and hyperventilation: from Thomas Lewis to today.

Nixon, P G·Journal of the Royal College of Physicians of London·1993

This article reviews the historical concept of 'effort syndrome'—a condition where the body loses its ability to handle physical exertion due to chemical imbalances, particularly in how the body buffers acids produced during exercise. The author argues that this old diagnosis remains relevant today and should be considered when evaluating chronic fatigue and other unexplained illnesses, especially when emotional stress and overbreathing (hyperventilation) are present.

Energy MetabolismPost-Exertional Malaise

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Postviral fatigue syndrome.

Behan, P O, Behan, W M·Critical reviews in neurobiology·1988

This review examines ME/CFS, a condition that causes severe exhaustion, muscle pain, and cognitive difficulties, sometimes appearing in outbreaks and sometimes in individual cases. Researchers note that patients often experience emotional changes, memory problems, and depression alongside the physical symptoms. The authors suggest that a lingering viral infection may trigger a metabolic problem in the body, which could explain why people feel so severely fatigued.

Energy Metabolism

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM unclearCase-Control

Chronic relapsing myalgia (? Post viral): clinical, histological, and biochemical studies.

Byrne, E, Trounce, I, Dennett, X·Australian and New Zealand journal of medicine·1985

This study examined two patients with ongoing muscle pain that started after a viral-like illness and came and went unpredictably. Doctors found the patients had weak muscle fibers and signs that their muscles weren't producing energy as efficiently as they should. The findings suggest these patients may have a mild form of ME/CFS, and importantly, their muscle problems were real biological issues rather than caused by psychological factors.

Energy Metabolism

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Hypothalamic digoxin, cerebral chemical dominance and myalgic encephalomyelitis.

Integration of gene expression, clinical, and epidemiologic data to characterize Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Nutritional strategies for treating chronic fatigue syndrome.

[Carnitine as a vitamin-like biofactor].

Changes in growth hormone, insulin, insulinlike growth factors (IGFs), and IGF-binding protein-1 in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Increased concentrations of homocysteine in the cerebrospinal fluid in patients with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome.

Investigation by polymerase chain reaction of enteroviral infection in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Electron-microscopic investigation of muscle mitochondria in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Unusual pattern of mitochondrial DNA deletions in skeletal muscle of an adult human with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Eicosanoids and essential fatty acid modulation in chronic disease and the chronic fatigue syndrome.

The grey area of effort syndrome and hyperventilation: from Thomas Lewis to today.

Postviral fatigue syndrome.

Chronic relapsing myalgia (? Post viral): clinical, histological, and biochemical studies.

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