ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

281–300 of 1,205 studies

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Sex-Based Differences in Plasma Autoantibodies to Central Nervous System Proteins in Gulf War Veterans versus Healthy and Symptomatic Controls.

Abou-Donia, Mohamed B, Krengel, Maxine H, Lapadula, Elizabeth S et al.·Brain sciences·2021

Researchers found that Gulf War veterans with Gulf War illness have abnormal immune proteins in their blood that attack brain cells, and these patterns differ between men and women. The study also found that these same immune markers can help distinguish Gulf War illness from other similar conditions like ME/CFS and IBS. This discovery is important because it offers a possible objective blood test that doctors could use to identify and diagnose these difficult-to-recognize illnesses.

BiomarkersImmune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredLongitudinal

Lasting Immunological Imprint of Primary Epstein-Barr Virus Infection With Associations to Chronic Low-Grade Inflammation and Fatigue.

Fevang, Børre, Wyller, Vegard Bruun Bratholm, Mollnes, Tom Eirik et al.·Frontiers in immunology·2021

This study tracked 200 teenagers with mononucleosis (caused by Epstein-Barr virus) for 6 months to understand why some developed chronic fatigue. Researchers found that teenagers who developed chronic fatigue showed persistent signs of immune system activation and inflammation, particularly elevated levels of RANTES (a signaling protein) and other inflammatory markers, both at the start of illness and 6 months later.

Immune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Co-occurrence of immune-mediated conditions and endometriosis among adolescents and adult women.

Shafrir, Amy L, Palmor, Marissa C, Fourquet, Jessica et al.·American journal of reproductive immunology (New York, N.Y. : 1989)·2021

This study looked at whether young women and adolescents with endometriosis (a painful condition where tissue grows outside the uterus) are more likely to have immune system problems like allergies, asthma, or chronic fatigue. Researchers compared 551 women with surgically confirmed endometriosis to 652 women without it and found that those with endometriosis were significantly more likely to have chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, or a history of mononucleosis. The more immune-related conditions a woman had, the higher her chances of also having endometriosis.

Immune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM requiredCase-Control

Hypothalamic-Pituitary Autoimmunity and Related Impairment of Hormone Secretions in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

De Bellis, Annamaria, Bellastella, Giuseppe, Pernice, Vlenia et al.·The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism·2021

This study looked for specific immune system antibodies that attack the pituitary and hypothalamus—two small brain structures that control hormone production—in people with ME/CFS. Researchers found these antibodies in more than half of ME/CFS patients but none in healthy controls. Patients with these antibodies had lower levels of important hormones (like cortisol and growth hormone), and those with the highest antibody levels had the most severe ME/CFS symptoms.

Immune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearObservational

Delineating the Association Between Soluble CD26 and Autoantibodies Against G-Protein Coupled Receptors, Immunological and Cardiovascular Parameters Identifies Distinct Patterns in Post-Infectious vs. Non-Infection-Triggered Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Szklarski, Marvin, Freitag, Helma, Lorenz, Sebastian et al.·Frontiers in immunology·2021

This study looked at a protein called sCD26 in people with ME/CFS to understand how it relates to immune system problems and heart function issues. Researchers found that people with ME/CFS triggered by an infection had different patterns of immune problems linked to low sCD26 levels compared to people whose ME/CFS started without an infection. The findings suggest that infection-related and non-infection-related ME/CFS may involve different biological mechanisms.

Immune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Skewing of the B cell receptor repertoire in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome.

Sato, Wakiro, Ono, Hirohiko, Matsutani, Takaji et al.·Brain, behavior, and immunity·2021

This study looked at immune cells called B cells in people with ME/CFS and compared them to healthy people. The researchers found that ME/CFS patients have an unusual pattern of B cells—certain types are overrepresented while others are underrepresented. These abnormal B cell patterns were especially strong in patients whose ME/CFS started after an infection, suggesting the immune system may be stuck responding to something from that earlier infection.

Immune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Complement Component C1q as a Potential Diagnostic Tool for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Subtyping.

Castro-Marrero, Jesús, Zacares, Mario, Almenar-Pérez, Eloy et al.·Journal of clinical medicine·2021

Researchers analyzed blood samples from 250 women with ME/CFS to see if specific blood markers could help identify different types of the disease. They found that about 43% of participants had high levels of a protein called C1q, which was particularly associated with those experiencing more pain symptoms. This discovery suggests that blood tests might one day help doctors identify which ME/CFS patients belong to which subgroup, potentially leading to better tailored treatments.

Immune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearObservational

Sex-specific plasma lipid profiles of ME/CFS patients and their association with pain, fatigue, and cognitive symptoms.

Nkiliza, Aurore, Parks, Megan, Cseresznye, Adam et al.·Journal of translational medicine·2021

This study analyzed fatty substances in the blood of ME/CFS patients and healthy controls to see if they differ in ways that might explain symptoms. Researchers found that men and women with ME/CFS had different patterns of these blood fats compared to healthy people. Importantly, certain blood fats were connected to the severity of fatigue, headaches, and thinking difficulties, suggesting that problems with how the body processes fats may play a role in ME/CFS symptoms.

BiomarkersEnergy MetabolismImmune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearLongitudinal

Salivary DNA Loads for Human Herpesviruses 6 and 7 Are Correlated With Disease Phenotype in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Lee, Ji-Sook, Lacerda, Eliana M, Nacul, Luis et al.·Frontiers in medicine·2021

This study tested saliva samples from people with ME/CFS and healthy people to measure levels of common viruses that stay dormant in the body. Researchers found that two viruses (HHV-6B and HHV-7) were present at higher levels in people with ME/CFS, especially in those whose viral levels went up and down over time. Importantly, when these viral levels were higher, patients reported worse symptoms like pain, brain fog, and heart/blood pressure problems.

Immune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Evaluating Routine Blood Tests According to Clinical Symptoms and Diagnostic Criteria in Individuals with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Baklund, Ingrid H, Dammen, Toril, Moum, Torbjørn Åge et al.·Journal of clinical medicine·2021

Researchers compared blood test results from 149 ME/CFS patients with 264 healthy people to look for differences. They found that ME/CFS patients had higher levels of inflammation markers and certain blood cells, along with lower potassium and muscle enzyme levels. These differences suggest that ME/CFS may involve both inflammation and possible muscle or metabolic problems.

Immune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearObservational

Evaluation of Immune Dysregulation in an Austrian Patient Cohort Suffering from Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Lutz, Lena, Rohrhofer, Johanna, Zehetmayer, Sonja et al.·Biomolecules·2021

This study looked at blood test results from 262 ME/CFS patients to understand problems with their immune systems. Researchers found that nearly two-thirds of patients had low levels of certain immune proteins or cells, while about one-quarter showed signs of inflammation. These findings suggest that immune system dysfunction is a common feature of ME/CFS and could potentially be used to help diagnose or treat the condition.

BiomarkersImmune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia-like symptoms are an integral component of the phenome of schizophrenia: neuro-immune and opioid system correlates.

Mousa, Rana Fadhil, Al-Hakeim, Hussein Kadhem, Alhaideri, Amer et al.·Metabolic brain disease·2021

This study looked at whether people with schizophrenia experience fatigue and pain symptoms similar to ME/CFS and fibromyalgia. Researchers measured blood markers related to immune system function and found that specific immune proteins and opioid system changes were associated with these physiosomatic symptoms. The findings suggest that abnormal immune activity and changes in the body's natural pain-relieving systems may contribute to these exhaustion and pain symptoms in schizophrenia patients.

Immune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Clinical Heterogeneity in ME/CFS. A Way to Understand Long-COVID19 Fatigue.

Murga, Iñigo, Aranburu, Larraitz, Gargiulo, Pascual A et al.·Frontiers in psychiatry·2021

This study examined 84 ME/CFS patients and 22 healthy controls using questionnaires to measure fatigue, pain, sleep quality, heart rate problems, thinking difficulties, mood, and other symptoms. Researchers used statistical clustering to group patients into five distinct subtypes based on their symptom patterns. The findings suggest that ME/CFS is not one-size-fits-all—some patients have high anxiety and depression without fibromyalgia, while others have fibromyalgia combined with heart rate regulation problems, hormone imbalances, or immune issues.

Immune SystemPost-Exertional Malaise

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Assessing diagnostic value of microRNAs from peripheral blood mononuclear cells and extracellular vesicles in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Almenar-Pérez, Eloy, Sarría, Leonor, Nathanson, Lubov et al.·Scientific reports·2020

This study looked for biological markers (tiny genetic molecules called microRNAs) in blood samples from severely ill ME/CFS patients that could help doctors diagnose the disease. Researchers found that certain microRNAs and physical characteristics of particles in the blood appeared different in ME/CFS patients compared to healthy controls. If validated in larger studies, these findings could eventually lead to a simple blood test for diagnosis.

BiomarkersImmune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Deep phenotyping of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome in Japanese population.

Kitami, Toshimori, Fukuda, Sanae, Kato, Tamotsu et al.·Scientific reports·2020

Researchers studied 48 ME/CFS patients and 52 healthy people in Japan to find biological markers of the disease. They tested blood samples, gut bacteria, immune cells, and sleep patterns, identifying 26 potential markers that differ between patients and healthy people. Three markers stood out as most important: certain types of white blood cells, gut bacteria composition, and fat-like molecules in the blood, which were especially linked to sleep problems in ME/CFS patients.

Energy MetabolismImmune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM requiredCross-Sectional

The role of low-grade inflammation in ME/CFS (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) - associations with symptoms.

Jonsjö, Martin A, Olsson, Gunnar L, Wicksell, Rikard K et al.·Psychoneuroendocrinology·2020

This study looked at whether low-level inflammation in the blood is connected to ME/CFS symptoms like exhaustion after activity, brain fog, muscle pain, and flu-like illness. Researchers tested 53 ME/CFS patients for various inflammatory markers and found that several of these markers were associated with cognitive problems and pain, though they were surprisingly less connected to post-exertional fatigue. Interestingly, the connection between inflammation and symptoms was different for men and women in some cases.

BiomarkersImmune SystemCognitive ImpairmentPost-Exertional Malaise

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCase-Control

Cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus, and human herpesvirus-6 infections in patients with myalgic еncephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome.

Shikova, Evelina, Reshkova, Valentina, Kumanova, Аntoniya et al.·Journal of medical virology·2020

Researchers tested 58 ME/CFS patients and 50 healthy people for three common viruses (EBV, CMV, and HHV-6) that have been suspected of triggering ME/CFS. They found that ME/CFS patients had significantly higher rates of active EBV infection in their bloodstream compared to healthy people, though most people in both groups carried these viruses in a dormant state. This suggests that for some patients, active EBV infection may play a role in ME/CFS development.

Immune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM requiredCase-Control

Human Leukocyte Antigen alleles associated with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS).

Lande, Asgeir, Fluge, Øystein, Strand, Elin B et al.·Scientific reports·2020

Researchers studied immune system markers called HLA alleles in 426 Norwegian ME/CFS patients and compared them to healthy controls. They found that two specific immune markers (HLA-C*07:04 and HLA-DQB1*03:03) were more common in ME/CFS patients than in healthy people, suggesting the immune system may play a role in developing ME/CFS. About 1 in 5 ME/CFS patients carried one or both of these markers, compared to 1 in 8 healthy people.

Immune System

E2 ModerateMechanismPEM requiredMechanistic

Unravelling myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS): Gender-specific changes in the microRNA expression profiling in ME/CFS.

Cheema, Amanpreet K, Sarria, Leonor, Bekheit, Mina et al.·Journal of cellular and molecular medicine·2020

This study looked at tiny molecules called microRNAs in the blood of people with ME/CFS to understand how their immune system responds to exercise. The researchers discovered that men and women with ME/CFS show different patterns in these molecules, and they also found that nutritional status affects these patterns. These findings could help explain why some people experience worsening symptoms after exercise (post-exertional malaise) and suggest that treatment approaches may need to differ between men and women.

Immune SystemPost-Exertional Malaise

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Autoantibodies to beta-adrenergic and muscarinic cholinergic receptors in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) patients - A validation study in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid from two Swedish cohorts.

Bynke, Annie, Julin, Per, Gottfries, Carl-Gerhard et al.·Brain, behavior, & immunity - health·2020

Researchers tested blood and spinal fluid samples from ME/CFS patients and healthy people to look for certain antibodies (immune proteins) that mistakenly attack nerve receptors in the body. They found higher levels of some of these antibodies in ME/CFS patients compared to healthy controls, particularly antibodies targeting muscarinic receptors (involved in nerve signaling). However, the amount of these antibodies did not match how severe patients' symptoms were.

Immune System

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Sex-Based Differences in Plasma Autoantibodies to Central Nervous System Proteins in Gulf War Veterans versus Healthy and Symptomatic Controls.

Lasting Immunological Imprint of Primary Epstein-Barr Virus Infection With Associations to Chronic Low-Grade Inflammation and Fatigue.

Co-occurrence of immune-mediated conditions and endometriosis among adolescents and adult women.

Hypothalamic-Pituitary Autoimmunity and Related Impairment of Hormone Secretions in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Delineating the Association Between Soluble CD26 and Autoantibodies Against G-Protein Coupled Receptors, Immunological and Cardiovascular Parameters Identifies Distinct Patterns in Post-Infectious vs. Non-Infection-Triggered Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Skewing of the B cell receptor repertoire in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome.

Complement Component C1q as a Potential Diagnostic Tool for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Subtyping.

Sex-specific plasma lipid profiles of ME/CFS patients and their association with pain, fatigue, and cognitive symptoms.

Salivary DNA Loads for Human Herpesviruses 6 and 7 Are Correlated With Disease Phenotype in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Evaluating Routine Blood Tests According to Clinical Symptoms and Diagnostic Criteria in Individuals with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Evaluation of Immune Dysregulation in an Austrian Patient Cohort Suffering from Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia-like symptoms are an integral component of the phenome of schizophrenia: neuro-immune and opioid system correlates.

Clinical Heterogeneity in ME/CFS. A Way to Understand Long-COVID19 Fatigue.

Assessing diagnostic value of microRNAs from peripheral blood mononuclear cells and extracellular vesicles in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Deep phenotyping of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome in Japanese population.

The role of low-grade inflammation in ME/CFS (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) - associations with symptoms.

Cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus, and human herpesvirus-6 infections in patients with myalgic еncephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome.

Human Leukocyte Antigen alleles associated with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS).

Unravelling myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS): Gender-specific changes in the microRNA expression profiling in ME/CFS.

Autoantibodies to beta-adrenergic and muscarinic cholinergic receptors in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) patients - A validation study in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid from two Swedish cohorts.

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