ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

3821–3840 of 6,209 studies

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Immunosenescence-Driven Hemodynamic Dysregulation and Cognitive Impairment in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: An Integrative Perspective.

Xu, Huimin, Luo, Yingzhe, Wu, Xi·Comprehensive Physiology·2026

This review examines how ME/CFS may involve aging of the immune system that affects blood flow to the brain, causing cognitive problems like 'brain fog.' The researchers propose that this immune aging triggers chronic inflammation, reduces oxygen delivery to brain cells, and damages the protective barrier around the brain, leading to memory and thinking difficulties. The authors suggest that treatments targeting inflammation, improving blood vessel function, and modulating immune responses could help improve cognition in ME/CFS patients.

Neuroinflammation

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM requiredCase-Control

Resolution of Long COVID and myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome symptoms following kanshoho, a low-pressure muscle relaxation technique: A case report.

Amitani, Haruka, Sakato, Takashi, Asakawa, Akihiro·Explore (New York, N.Y.)·2026

A woman with Long COVID and ME/CFS who had severe fatigue, pain, brain fog, and sleep problems tried a gentle hands-on relaxation technique called kanshoho along with activity pacing advice. After 10 treatment sessions over 2.5 months, her symptoms completely resolved, and she was able to stop her antidepressant medication without symptom worsening. While this is just one person's experience, it suggests this low-pressure approach might help some ME/CFS patients who cannot tolerate exercise-based treatments.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E3 PreliminaryCommentaryPEM requiredEditorial

Expert perspectives on Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome - Insights from the 3rd International Conference of the Charité Fatigue Center.

Fehrer, Annick, Windzio, Lara, Schoening, Simon et al.·Autoimmunity reviews·2026

Nearly 4,000 ME/CFS researchers and experts gathered at an international conference in May 2025 to share the latest discoveries about this serious illness. They discussed how ME/CFS develops, better ways to diagnose it, and new treatments being tested. The conference highlighted that while COVID-19 has brought more attention and funding to ME/CFS research, the disease is still not well understood and needs much more study.

Energy MetabolismImmune SystemPost-Exertional Malaise

E3 PreliminaryDiagnosticPEM not requiredMethods-Paper

Pipeline-optimized machine learning for chronic fatigue syndrome diagnosis: A lightweight, interpretable model using blood biochemical and metabolomic data.

Li, Junrong, Cao, Hanyu, Zhu, Zirun et al.·Computational biology and chemistry·2026

Researchers developed a computer program that uses blood tests to help diagnose ME/CFS more accurately and quickly. The program was trained on data from over 1,100 people with ME/CFS and nearly 67,000 control participants, and it correctly identified ME/CFS in about 94% of cases. This tool could help doctors catch the condition earlier and tailor treatment to individual patients.

Biomarkers

E3 PreliminaryBehavioralPEM not requiredCase-Control

A Mindbody Approach to Long-standing Fatigue: A Case Report on Emotional Somatic Release Using HeartSpeak Lite for BodyWork.

Jensen, Anne M·International journal of therapeutic massage & bodywork·2026

This study describes one woman with chronic fatigue who received a hands-on therapy called HeartSpeak Lite for BodyWork, which combines gentle touch with emotional processing techniques. Over 10 weeks, she reported feeling less tired, less stressed, and better able to do daily activities. While this single case is interesting, it does not prove the treatment works for everyone with ME/CFS.

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

Utility of Urinary β2-Microglobulin for Detection of Renal Sarcoidosis Without Pulmonary Involvement: A Case Report.

Oue, Yuri, Saiki, Ryosuke, Murata, Tomohiro et al.·Reports (MDPI)·2026

This case report describes a 60-year-old woman who was initially misdiagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome when she actually had sarcoidosis (an inflammatory disease) affecting her kidneys. Doctors discovered this by finding very high levels of a protein called β2-microglobulin in her urine, which led to a kidney biopsy that confirmed the diagnosis. After treatment with a steroid medication, her kidney function improved and her fatigue completely resolved.

Diagnostics

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearEvidence-Map

Systematic Examination of Gene Expression and Proteomic Evidence Across Tissues Supports the Role of Mitochondrial Dysregulation in ME/CFS.

Keele, Gregory R, Enger, Mike, Barnette, Quinn et al.·International journal of molecular sciences·2026

Researchers analyzed genetic and protein data from multiple ME/CFS studies to look for common patterns. They found evidence that mitochondria—the energy-producing parts of our cells—may not be working properly in people with ME/CFS. The study identified specific genes and existing drugs that might help support mitochondrial function, though more research is needed to test whether these treatments actually work.

Energy Metabolism

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM requiredMechanistic

Genetic depletion of the early autophagy protein ATG13 impairs mitochondrial energy metabolism, augments oxidative stress, induces the polarization of macrophages to the M1 inflammatory mode, and compromises myelin integrity in skeletal muscle.

Toriola, Mubaraq A, Timlin, Emma, Bulbule, Sarojini et al.·Inflammation research : official journal of the European Histamine Research Society ... [et al.]·2026

This study examined a protein called ATG13 that helps cells clean up damaged parts, particularly in immune cells called macrophages. When ATG13 was reduced, these immune cells couldn't work properly, their energy-producing structures (mitochondria) became dysfunctional, and they created too much harmful oxidative stress. This triggered the immune cells to switch into an inflammatory state and caused muscle weakness and nerve damage in a mouse model.

Immune SystemPost-Exertional Malaise

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM unclearCase-Control

A Continuous Oral Regimen of High-Dose Cromolyn Sodium Is Effective for Some Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) Patients With Mast Cell Activation Syndrome.

Christoforou, Maritsa E, van Campen, Linda C, Visser, Frans C et al.·Cureus·2026

This study looked at five ME/CFS patients who also had mast cell activation syndrome (a condition where immune cells release too many chemicals). These patients took a medication called cromolyn sodium in higher doses than usual—up to 2400 mg per day instead of the standard 800 mg—by sipping it continuously throughout the day rather than taking four separate doses. All five patients reported improvements in their symptoms.

Interventions

E3 PreliminaryPEM unclear

A Perspective on the Role of Metformin in Treating Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) and Long COVID.

Fineberg, David, Moreau, Alain, Schneider-Futschik, Elena K et al.·ACS pharmacology & translational science·2025

This article explores whether metformin, a common diabetes medication, might help treat ME/CFS and Long COVID by fixing problems with how cells make energy and controlling inflammation. The authors explain that metformin could work by reducing harmful molecules in cells, improving how the body uses energy, and calming down overactive immune responses. However, they stress that metformin would likely work best as part of a combination treatment rather than as a single cure.

Energy Metabolism

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

A Decade With Sheehan's Syndrome: A Case Report and Personal Experience.

D, Kayalvizhi, Moradeyo, Adedeji Yusuf, G, Bhuvaneswari·Case reports in endocrinology·2025

This case report describes a woman who developed Sheehan's syndrome, a rare condition where the pituitary gland (a hormone-producing gland in the brain) is damaged after severe bleeding during childbirth. Her symptoms—including extreme tiredness, hair loss, irregular periods, and mood swings—were mistakenly attributed to postpartum depression for years before the correct diagnosis was made. She required lifelong hormone replacement therapy, though her symptoms persisted despite treatment adjustments.

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM requiredMechanistic

Inactivation of ATG13 stimulates chronic demyelinating pathologies in muscle-serving nerves and spinal cord.

Drosen, Molly E, Bulbule, Sarojini, Gottschalk, Gunnar et al.·Immunologic research·2025

Researchers gave mice a drug that overactivates a protein called mTOR and found it triggered muscle weakness, nerve damage, and worsening fatigue after exercise—similar to post-exertional malaise (PEM) in ME/CFS. The drug blocked a cellular cleanup system called autophagy, which led to inflammation and damage to the nerves controlling muscles. Mice engineered to have impaired autophagy showed similar problems, suggesting that broken autophagy may be involved in ME/CFS fatigue and exercise intolerance.

NeuroinflammationPost-Exertional Malaise

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

A novel frameshift mutation in ADCK1 identified in a case of chronic fatigue syndrome successfully treated with oral 5-ALA/SFC.

Koga, Tomohiro, Kita, Kiyoshi, Okumura, Junko et al.·Immunological medicine·2025

This study reports a single patient with ME/CFS who carried a rare genetic mutation affecting how cells produce energy. When treated with a supplement called 5-ALA/SFC along with other nutrients, the patient's fatigue and daily functioning significantly improved. This case suggests that some people with ME/CFS may have mitochondrial (cellular energy) problems related to this genetic change, and that certain supplements might help.

Energy Metabolism

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredMechanistic

PKM2 accelerated the progression of chronic fatigue syndrome via promoting the H4K12la/ NF-κB induced neuroinflammation and mitochondrial damage.

Sun, Meng, Zhang, Xinwen, Feng, Xinli et al.·Scientific reports·2025

This study in mice explored how a protein called PKM2 may contribute to ME/CFS by increasing inflammation in the brain and damaging energy-producing structures inside cells (mitochondria). Researchers found that when PKM2 levels increased, cognitive problems worsened and brain cells showed more damage, while reducing PKM2 improved these outcomes. The mechanism involves lactate buildup and activation of inflammatory pathways in the brain.

Neuroinflammation

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

Miscellaneous neurologic conditions with a few or no available data.

Benedetti, Fabrizio, Shaibani, Aziz·Handbook of clinical neurology·2025

This review article examines what we know about the placebo effect—when patients feel better simply because they believe they're receiving treatment—in several poorly understood conditions, including ME/CFS and fatigue. The authors found that most available studies on these conditions are small and lack proper comparison groups, making it impossible to draw clear conclusions about how placebo works in these illnesses. They call for more rigorous research to understand the biological mechanisms behind the placebo effect in ME/CFS and other similar conditions.

E3 PreliminaryDiagnosticPEM not requiredMethods-Paper

MyGuide long COVID: An online self-management tool for people with long COVID.

Naik, Hiten, Pongratz, Kyla, Malbeuf, Michelle et al.·Internet interventions·2025

Researchers created MyGuide Long COVID, a free website where people with long COVID answer questions about their symptoms and receive personalized information and self-management tips. The website launched in August 2023 and attracted nearly 8,600 users in its first year, with the most popular topics being post-exertional malaise (worsening symptoms after activity) and general information about long COVID. This shows that a patient-centered online tool developed together with both doctors and people living with long COVID can successfully help patients manage their condition.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E3 PreliminaryCommentaryPEM requiredEditorial

Complex chronic adverse events following immunization: a systemic critique and reform proposal for vaccine pharmacovigilance.

Kenny, Tiff-Annie·Therapeutic advances in drug safety·2025

This paper describes complex, long-lasting health problems that some people develop after vaccination, which resemble ME/CFS and Long COVID symptoms like fatigue, pain, brain fog, and heart rhythm issues. The author argues that current vaccine safety systems are not well-designed to detect or investigate these kinds of slow-developing, multisystem conditions because they work best for identifying immediate reactions like fever or allergies. The paper proposes changes to how we monitor vaccine safety—including better training for doctors, longer-term tracking of patients, and including patients' own descriptions of their symptoms—to catch these problems more effectively.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Hemostatic Disorders Following Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Infection, COVID-19 Vaccination, and Long-COVID Syndrome: Current Evidence and Controversies in Clinical Practice.

Vishnu, Prakash, Aboulafia, David M·Clinics in laboratory medicine·2025

This review examines blood clotting problems that have been reported in people with COVID-19, those who received COVID-19 vaccines, and people with Long-COVID (including ME/CFS-like symptoms). The authors summarize what we know about these clotting issues, ranging from minor platelet problems to serious blood clots, and discuss areas where doctors and researchers disagree about what's happening and why.

E3 PreliminaryCommentaryPEM unclearEditorial

Long Covid in Year 5: Some Progress, Still Many Questions.

Meagher, Timothy·Journal of insurance medicine (New York, N.Y.)·2025

Five years after Long Covid was first recognized in 2020, researchers have made progress understanding the condition, but significant challenges remain. While most people's symptoms improve over time, scientists still haven't found reliable blood tests to diagnose it or effective treatments. Long Covid appears to share many similarities with ME/CFS, and the condition can develop or worsen after repeated COVID-19 infections.

Long COVID Overlap

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM unclearCase-Control

Novel Oronasal Drainage for Long COVID: Proposed Mechanisms-Case Report.

Lorenz, Claudia, Frankenberger, Roland·Viruses·2025

Researchers tested a new treatment called oronasal drainage (OND) for Long COVID, which involves a gentle abrasive therapy targeting the drainage areas in the nose and mouth. In one patient case, this treatment appeared to reduce various Long COVID symptoms and improve blood circulation to the hands. While these results are promising, the study was very small and more research is needed to confirm whether this treatment actually works.

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Immunosenescence-Driven Hemodynamic Dysregulation and Cognitive Impairment in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: An Integrative Perspective.

Resolution of Long COVID and myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome symptoms following kanshoho, a low-pressure muscle relaxation technique: A case report.

Expert perspectives on Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome - Insights from the 3rd International Conference of the Charité Fatigue Center.

Pipeline-optimized machine learning for chronic fatigue syndrome diagnosis: A lightweight, interpretable model using blood biochemical and metabolomic data.

A Mindbody Approach to Long-standing Fatigue: A Case Report on Emotional Somatic Release Using HeartSpeak Lite for BodyWork.

Utility of Urinary β2-Microglobulin for Detection of Renal Sarcoidosis Without Pulmonary Involvement: A Case Report.

Systematic Examination of Gene Expression and Proteomic Evidence Across Tissues Supports the Role of Mitochondrial Dysregulation in ME/CFS.

Genetic depletion of the early autophagy protein ATG13 impairs mitochondrial energy metabolism, augments oxidative stress, induces the polarization of macrophages to the M1 inflammatory mode, and compromises myelin integrity in skeletal muscle.

A Continuous Oral Regimen of High-Dose Cromolyn Sodium Is Effective for Some Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) Patients With Mast Cell Activation Syndrome.

A Perspective on the Role of Metformin in Treating Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) and Long COVID.

A Decade With Sheehan's Syndrome: A Case Report and Personal Experience.

Inactivation of ATG13 stimulates chronic demyelinating pathologies in muscle-serving nerves and spinal cord.

A novel frameshift mutation in ADCK1 identified in a case of chronic fatigue syndrome successfully treated with oral 5-ALA/SFC.

PKM2 accelerated the progression of chronic fatigue syndrome via promoting the H4K12la/ NF-κB induced neuroinflammation and mitochondrial damage.

Miscellaneous neurologic conditions with a few or no available data.

MyGuide long COVID: An online self-management tool for people with long COVID.

Complex chronic adverse events following immunization: a systemic critique and reform proposal for vaccine pharmacovigilance.

Hemostatic Disorders Following Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Infection, COVID-19 Vaccination, and Long-COVID Syndrome: Current Evidence and Controversies in Clinical Practice.

Long Covid in Year 5: Some Progress, Still Many Questions.

Novel Oronasal Drainage for Long COVID: Proposed Mechanisms-Case Report.

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Neuroinflammation Evidence

Metabolism & Mitochondria

Biomarkers

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