ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

221–240 of 6,157 studies

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearSystematic-Review

Brainstem Abnormalities in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Scoping Review and Evaluation of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings.

Nelson, Todd, Zhang, Lan-Xin, Guo, Hui et al.·Frontiers in neurology·2021

This review examined brain imaging studies to understand how ME/CFS affects the brainstem, which is the part of the brain that controls vital functions like heart rate, breathing, and sleep. Researchers found that people with ME/CFS often show changes in the brain's structure and how different brain regions communicate with each other. These findings suggest that problems in the brainstem might explain many ME/CFS symptoms, though more research is needed to fully understand the connections.

Neuroinflammation

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclear

Pathomechanisms and possible interventions in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS).

Fluge, Øystein, Tronstad, Karl J, Mella, Olav·The Journal of clinical investigation·2021

This review article examines what we know about how ME/CFS damages the body and discusses possible treatments. Researchers looked at existing scientific evidence to understand the disease mechanisms—the biological processes that cause ME/CFS symptoms—and evaluated various interventions that might help patients. The goal was to create a comprehensive overview of current scientific understanding to guide future research and treatment development.

BiomarkersImmune System

E0 ConsensusGuidelinePEM requiredGuideline

Myalgic encephalomyelitis (or encephalopathy)/chronic fatigue syndrome: diagnosis and management

NICE Guideline Committee·National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE)·2021

The UK's National Institute for Health and Care Excellence updated its ME/CFS guidelines after a comprehensive evidence review. The updated guidelines removed Graded Exercise Therapy (GET) and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) as recommended treatments, as evidence showed they were not effective and could be harmful. Pacing and energy management were endorsed.

InterventionsDiagnostics

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Induced pluripotent stem cells as suitable sensors for fibromyalgia and myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome.

Monzón-Nomdedeu, María B, Morten, Karl J, Oltra, Elisa·World journal of stem cells·2021

This review examines whether special laboratory cells called induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) could be used as 'sensors' to detect ME/CFS and fibromyalgia. The researchers found that patients with these conditions have unusual chemicals in their blood and body fluids that differ from healthy people. They propose that iPSCs could be grown in patient samples to detect these abnormal chemicals, potentially helping diagnose these diseases and predict how patients might respond to future treatments.

BiomarkersEnergy Metabolism

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Back to the Future? Immunoglobulin Therapy for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Brownlie, Helen, Speight, Nigel·Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland)·2021

This review examined past studies on intravenous immunoglobulin (IV IgG), a blood-based treatment, for ME/CFS. The authors found that while results were previously thought to be mixed, a closer look suggests IV IgG may actually help a meaningful group of patients—particularly those with severe ME/CFS who have specific immune system markers. Some patients experienced temporary worsening of symptoms like headaches during treatment, which may actually indicate the treatment was working rather than causing harm.

Immune System

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Insights into Metabolite Diagnostic Biomarkers for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Yamano, Emi, Watanabe, Yasuyoshi, Kataoka, Yosky·International journal of molecular sciences·2021

ME/CFS is a serious condition that causes extreme exhaustion and is difficult to diagnose because we don't have reliable tests for it. This review examined research on how the chemicals in patients' bodies differ from healthy people, looking for patterns that could help doctors identify ME/CFS with a simple blood test. Scientists reviewed studies that measured these body chemicals and tested them in animal models to understand what goes wrong in ME/CFS.

Biomarkers

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM requiredReview-Narrative

A Comprehensive Update of the Current Understanding of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Noor, Nazir, Urits, Ivan, Degueure, Arielle et al.·Anesthesiology and pain medicine·2021

This review summarizes what researchers currently understand about ME/CFS, a complex illness causing severe fatigue and other symptoms. The condition may involve problems with the immune system, stress response, or nervous system, and can be triggered by infections like Epstein-Barr virus, though not always. Diagnosis requires six months of fatigue plus four symptoms like memory problems, sore throat, or post-exertion malaise, and doctors must rule out other conditions first. Treatment options include therapy, medication, and newer approaches like electrical stimulation, though more research is needed to find the best approaches.

SleepImmune SystemPost-Exertional Malaise

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

The Neurological Manifestations of Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Moghimi, Narges, Di Napoli, Mario, Biller, José et al.·Current neurology and neuroscience reports·2021

This review examined what we know about how COVID-19 can affect the nervous system in people who experience long-term symptoms after infection (called PASC or long COVID). The researchers looked at published studies to understand how common these neurological problems are, who is most at risk, why they happen, and how they might be treated. They found that long COVID can range from mild to severely disabling symptoms that last weeks or longer, and that multiple factors—including lingering inflammation, immune system problems, and possible viral effects on the brain—may play a role.

NeuroinflammationImmune System

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearSystematic-Review

A systematic review of nutraceutical interventions for mitochondrial dysfunctions in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome.

Maksoud, Rebekah, Balinas, Cassandra, Holden, Sean et al.·Journal of translational medicine·2021

This review looked at whether special supplements that target the energy-producing parts of cells (mitochondria) might help ME/CFS patients feel less fatigued. The researchers searched for published studies testing these supplements in ME/CFS patients and found 9 studies. About two-thirds of these studies showed some improvement in fatigue, but the overall evidence isn't strong enough yet to say these supplements definitely work.

Energy Metabolism

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearSystematic-Review

Cost-effectiveness of Interventions for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or Myalgic Encephalomyelitis: A Systematic Review of Economic Evaluations.

Cochrane, M, Mitchell, E, Hollingworth, W et al.·Applied health economics and health policy·2021

This review looked at whether ME/CFS treatments are worth the money they cost. Researchers found that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)—a type of talking therapy—appears to be cost-effective for some adults with ME/CFS, though results varied depending on how it was delivered. There is much less evidence for other treatments, and very little research on what works best for children with ME/CFS.

Interventions

E0 ConsensusGuidelinePEM requiredGuideline

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Essentials of Diagnosis and Management.

Bateman, Lucinda, Bested, Alison C, Bonilla, Hector F et al.·Mayo Clinic proceedings·2021

This article brings together 21 expert doctors who specialize in ME/CFS to share the best ways to diagnose and treat this complex illness. The experts explain that most people with ME/CFS don't get properly diagnosed, and many receive treatments that can actually make them worse. They provide clear, practical guidance that general doctors can use to help ME/CFS patients feel better and improve their quality of life.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearMeta-Analysis

The SARS-CoV-2 receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome: A meta-analysis of public DNA methylation and gene expression data.

Malato, João, Sotzny, Franziska, Bauer, Sandra et al.·Heliyon·2021

This study looked at whether people with ME/CFS have lower levels of a protein called ACE2, which the COVID-19 virus uses to enter cells. The researchers analyzed existing genetic data from ME/CFS patients and found that ACE2 levels were indeed reduced in ME/CFS patients compared to healthy people. The authors suggest this may put ME/CFS patients at higher risk for severe COVID-19 and recommend they be prioritized for vaccination.

Immune System

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearSystematic-Review

Systematic Review of Sleep Characteristics in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Maksoud, Rebekah, Eaton-Fitch, Natalie, Matula, Michael et al.·Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland)·2021

Many ME/CFS patients report that their sleep feels unrefreshing and disturbed, even when they sleep for long hours. This review looked at 20 studies that used objective sleep monitoring equipment (like devices that measure brain waves and breathing during sleep) to understand what's actually happening with sleep in ME/CFS patients. The researchers found that the results across different studies were inconsistent, meaning there's no clear pattern yet about what makes ME/CFS sleep different from healthy sleep.

Sleep

E0 ConsensusGuidelinePEM requiredGuideline

ME/CFS: Exercise goals should be set by patients and not driven by treatment plan, says NICE.

Torjesen, Ingrid·BMJ (Clinical research ed.)·2021

The UK's National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) issued new guidance stating that people with ME/CFS should set their own exercise goals based on their personal circumstances, rather than having exercise targets imposed by healthcare providers as part of a standard treatment plan. This represents an important shift in how ME/CFS care should be approached, emphasizing patient autonomy and individual needs.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

The Enterovirus Theory of Disease Etiology in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Critical Review.

O'Neal, Adam J, Hanson, Maureen R·Frontiers in medicine·2021

This review examined whether enteroviruses—common viruses that cause colds, stomach infections, and other illnesses—might be responsible for ME/CFS. While some studies found these viruses more often in ME/CFS patients than in healthy people, the evidence has been mixed and hard to interpret. The authors argue that past research methods weren't good enough to definitively answer the question, and they call for better studies using modern technology to investigate this possibility further.

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

The Gut Microbiome in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME)/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS).

König, Rahel S, Albrich, Werner C, Kahlert, Christian R et al.·Frontiers in immunology·2021

This review examines whether changes in gut bacteria might contribute to ME/CFS. The authors suggest that lifetime antibiotic use could alter the balance of gut microbes, which might then affect the gut barrier, brain function, and energy production in cells. They propose several potential treatment approaches like probiotics and dietary changes, but emphasize that much more research is needed to understand if gut bacteria actually cause ME/CFS or simply change as a result of the disease.

Cognitive Impairment

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

New Insights on the Role of TRP Channels in Calcium Signalling and Immunomodulation: Review of Pathways and Implications for Clinical Practice.

Froghi, Saied, Grant, Charlotte R, Tandon, Radhika et al.·Clinical reviews in allergy & immunology·2021

This review examines how calcium moves into cells through special channels called TRP channels, and how this process affects the immune system. The authors explain that TRP channels play important roles in helping immune cells fight infections and respond to threats. They discuss evidence that problems with these calcium channels may be involved in several diseases, including ME/CFS.

Immune System

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearSystematic-Review

Long COVID and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS)-A Systemic Review and Comparison of Clinical Presentation and Symptomatology.

Wong, Timothy L, Weitzer, Danielle J·Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania)·2021

Researchers reviewed 21 studies about Long COVID (symptoms lasting months after COVID-19 infection) and compared them to ME/CFS symptoms. They found that Long COVID patients reported 25 out of 29 known ME/CFS symptoms, suggesting these two conditions share many similarities. The study highlights the need for better monitoring and treatment of patients with Long COVID, and calls for more standardized research methods to understand both conditions better.

Long COVID Overlap

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

Epidemiology, pathophysiology, and classification of the neurological symptoms of post-COVID-19 syndrome.

Carod-Artal, F J, García-Moncó, J C·Neurology perspectives·2021

This review examines long-term symptoms people experience after COVID-19 infection, particularly neurological (brain and nerve-related) symptoms like brain fog, memory problems, headaches, and sleep issues. The authors found that post-COVID-19 syndrome is complex and variable—affecting different people in different ways—and likely involves multiple causes including immune system changes, nerve dysfunction, and possibly persistent viral effects. Because the definition and criteria for post-COVID-19 syndrome remain unclear, reported rates of occurrence vary dramatically, ranging from 2% to 85% depending on the study.

Cognitive Impairment

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

The importance of child abuse and neglect in adult medicine.

Gordon, Jeoffry B·Pharmacology, biochemistry, and behavior·2021

This review looks at how childhood abuse and neglect can affect physical health in adults. The authors found that these traumatic experiences are linked to many chronic diseases, including ME/CFS, fibromyalgia, and irritable bowel syndrome. They recommend that doctors routinely ask patients about their childhood experiences as part of standard medical care.

← Previous Next 20 studies →

Or browse by topic

PEM Immune Neuro Metabolic Biomarkers Severe ME Long COVID Cognitive

Evidence Atlas

Evidence browser

Brainstem Abnormalities in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Scoping Review and Evaluation of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings.

Pathomechanisms and possible interventions in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS).

Myalgic encephalomyelitis (or encephalopathy)/chronic fatigue syndrome: diagnosis and management

Induced pluripotent stem cells as suitable sensors for fibromyalgia and myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome.

Back to the Future? Immunoglobulin Therapy for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Insights into Metabolite Diagnostic Biomarkers for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

A Comprehensive Update of the Current Understanding of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

The Neurological Manifestations of Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

A systematic review of nutraceutical interventions for mitochondrial dysfunctions in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome.

Cost-effectiveness of Interventions for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or Myalgic Encephalomyelitis: A Systematic Review of Economic Evaluations.

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Essentials of Diagnosis and Management.

The SARS-CoV-2 receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome: A meta-analysis of public DNA methylation and gene expression data.

Systematic Review of Sleep Characteristics in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

ME/CFS: Exercise goals should be set by patients and not driven by treatment plan, says NICE.

The Enterovirus Theory of Disease Etiology in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Critical Review.

The Gut Microbiome in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME)/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS).

New Insights on the Role of TRP Channels in Calcium Signalling and Immunomodulation: Review of Pathways and Implications for Clinical Practice.

Long COVID and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS)-A Systemic Review and Comparison of Clinical Presentation and Symptomatology.

Epidemiology, pathophysiology, and classification of the neurological symptoms of post-COVID-19 syndrome.

The importance of child abuse and neglect in adult medicine.

Curated Collections

Neuroinflammation Evidence

Metabolism & Mitochondria

Biomarkers

PEM-Specific Research