ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

3881–3900 of 6,162 studies

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM requiredPreprintPreprint

Dissecting the genetic complexity of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome via deep learning-powered genome analysis.

Zhang, Sai, Jahanbani, Fereshteh, Chander, Varuna et al.·medRxiv : the preprint server for health sciences·2025

Researchers used advanced artificial intelligence to analyze the genes of ME/CFS patients and discovered 115 genes that may contribute to the disease. They found that people with ME/CFS have lower levels of these risk genes active in their immune cells and nervous system. This genetic analysis could eventually help doctors diagnose ME/CFS more accurately and identify new treatment targets.

BiomarkersImmune SystemCognitive ImpairmentPost-Exertional Malaise

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredMechanistic

Jingfang Granule promotes the tricarboxylic acid cycle to improve chronic fatigue syndrome by increasing the expression of Idh1 and Idh2.

Wang, Kun, Shen, Mengmeng, Tang, Hongguang et al.·Journal of ethnopharmacology·2025

Researchers tested a traditional Chinese medicine called Jingfang Granule (JFG) in mice with chronic fatigue syndrome. The treatment improved fatigue symptoms, helped mice recover weight and exercise capacity, and reduced harmful inflammation and oxidative stress in their bodies. The medicine appeared to work by boosting how efficiently cells produce energy through a key metabolic pathway.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM requiredMechanistic

Exertional Exhaustion (Post-Exertional Malaise, PEM) Evaluated by the Effects of Exercise on Cerebrospinal Fluid Metabolomics-Lipidomics and Serine Pathway in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Baraniuk, James N·International journal of molecular sciences·2025

This study examined fluid from around the brain and spinal cord in ME/CFS patients and healthy controls, measuring chemical substances before and after exercise. Researchers found that ME/CFS patients have abnormal levels of certain chemicals related to energy production and brain function, especially after exercise. The study suggests that exercise may trigger harmful changes in brain chemistry in ME/CFS patients that don't happen in healthy people, which could explain post-exertional malaise (the worsening of symptoms after activity).

Post-Exertional Malaise

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredMechanistic

HLA and pathogens in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) and other post-infection conditions.

Georgopoulos, Apostolos P, James, Lisa M, Peterson, Philip K·Scientific reports·2025

This study explores why some people develop ME/CFS after viral infections while others don't. Researchers looked at immune system genes (HLA types) and tested how well they recognize and fight nine common human herpes viruses. They found that people with certain HLA types have weak immune recognition of these viruses, potentially allowing the viruses to persist and cause ME/CFS, while people with other HLA types have strong recognition and protection.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryDiagnosticPEM not required

Pediatric Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS): A Diagnostic and Communication Case Study for Health Care Providers in Training.

Brimmer, Dana J, Lin, Jin-Mann S, Selinger, Howard A et al.·MedEdPORTAL : the journal of teaching and learning resources·2025

This study tested whether a short educational program could help future doctors, nurses, and physician assistants better understand pediatric ME/CFS. After a 40-minute lesson with videos and materials, students showed major improvements in recognizing ME/CFS as a real medical condition and felt more confident talking to patients about it. The results suggest that better training about ME/CFS in medical schools could help young patients get diagnosed and treated more effectively.

Diagnostics

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM unclearMechanistic

The potential causes of myasthenia and fasciculations in severely ill ME/CFS patients: the role of disturbed electrophysiology.

Wirth, Klaus J, Steinacker, Jürgen M·Frontiers in physiology·2025

This study proposes that muscle weakness, fatigue, and twitching in severely ill ME/CFS patients may result from a problem with a specific pump in muscle cells called the Na+/K+-ATPase. When this pump doesn't work properly, it allows too much sodium and calcium to build up inside muscle cells, damaging the cell's energy-producing structures (mitochondria) and making muscles weaker and more prone to cramping and involuntary twitching. The researchers suggest this single mechanical problem could explain many of the muscle symptoms severely ill ME/CFS patients experience.

Energy Metabolism

E3 PreliminaryDiagnosticPEM not requiredMethods-Paper

Profiling Antibody Reactivity to Gut Microbes in ME/CFS Patients.

Seton, Katharine A, Carding, Simon R·Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.)·2025

This study looks at how the immune system of ME/CFS patients reacts to bacteria in the gut. Many ME/CFS patients have changes in their gut bacteria and a leaky gut lining that allows bacteria and their toxic products to enter the bloodstream, potentially triggering widespread inflammation. The researchers developed methods to measure specific immune proteins (antibodies) that ME/CFS patients produce in response to these gut bacteria, compared to healthy household members.

Gut MicrobiomeImmune System

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM requiredMechanistic

Precision Medicine Study of Post-Exertional Malaise Epigenetic Changes in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Patients During Exercise.

Sharma, Sayan, Hodges, Lynette D, Peppercorn, Katie et al.·International journal of molecular sciences·2025

This study looked at how exercise affects the chemical switches on our genes (epigenetics) in ME/CFS patients, particularly during post-exertional malaise (PEM)—the exhaustion that worsens after physical activity. Researchers took blood samples from five ME/CFS patients before, immediately after, and 24-48 hours after an exercise test, and found distinct patterns of genetic changes that were specific to ME/CFS patients and not seen in healthy controls. These changes affected genes related to immune function, inflammation, and blood vessel health, suggesting the body's response to exercise in ME/CFS is fundamentally different at the molecular level.

BiomarkersImmune SystemPost-Exertional Malaise

E3 PreliminaryBehavioralPEM requiredCase-Control

Recovery from Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue syndrome developed after severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 vaccination: A case report.

Kurotori, Isaku, Sasao, Wataru, Abe, Masahiko·PCN reports : psychiatry and clinical neurosciences·2025

This case report describes a 65-year-old woman who developed ME/CFS symptoms after receiving her third COVID-19 vaccine, including severe tiredness, worsening after activity, and dizziness. After 30 months of symptoms, she recovered using a combination approach that included careful activity management, medications, and mental health support. This is the first documented case showing full recovery from vaccine-associated ME/CFS.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

["Ultimately, you are on your own." A qualitative analysis of barriers to health care from the perspective of patients with long COVID].

Hammer, Sabine, Monaca, Clara, Hoelz, Annika et al.·Zeitschrift fur Evidenz, Fortbildung und Qualitat im Gesundheitswesen·2025

This study asked 264 long COVID patients about their experiences with doctors and healthcare services. Most patients reported that healthcare providers don't understand their condition, often dismiss it as psychological, and sometimes recommend treatments that make them sicker. Patients felt stigmatized and unsupported, with some waiting up to two years just to see a specialist.

Diagnostics

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Patient Perspectives on the Care in a Long COVID Outpatient Clinic-A Regional Qualitative Analysis from Germany.

Gölz, Lea Alexandra, Poß-Doering, Regina, Merle, Uta et al.·Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland)·2025

Researchers interviewed 14 patients attending a specialized Long COVID clinic in Germany to understand their experiences with care. Patients reported that while the clinic staff were knowledgeable and compassionate, many experienced a worsening of symptoms after their visit (a pattern called post-exertional malaise), and most wanted more follow-up appointments to manage their condition.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

A Direct Relationship Between 'Blood Stasis' and Fibrinaloid Microclots in Chronic, Inflammatory, and Vascular Diseases, and Some Traditional Natural Products Approaches to Treatment.

Kell, Douglas B, Pretorius, Etheresia, Zhao, Huihui·Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)·2025

This study proposes that tiny blood clots called fibrinaloid microclots may be the physical basis behind a traditional Chinese medicine concept called 'blood stasis,' which describes sluggish blood flow. The authors suggest that these microclots block small blood vessels and reduce oxygen delivery to tissues, and that certain Chinese herbal remedies—particularly a formula called Xue Fu Zhu Yu—may help by reducing microclot formation. If correct, this could open new treatment avenues for ME/CFS, long COVID, and other chronic inflammatory conditions.

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.

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredMechanistic

Causal Relationship Between Diet, Lipids, Immune Cells, and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Two-Mediation Mendelian Randomization Study.

Li, Jixu, Qin, Qi, Zhu, Yiran et al.·Food science & nutrition·2025

This study explored whether diet, cholesterol levels, and immune cell changes might contribute to ME/CFS development. Researchers found that eating cheese and pork, and avoiding alcohol and spicy food, may protect against ME/CFS, possibly by improving cholesterol profiles. The study suggests that certain types of cholesterol and immune cell changes may influence ME/CFS risk, creating a potential chain linking food choices to immune health to fatigue development.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

Retracted: Chronic Epipharyngitis Treated with Epipharyngeal Abrasion Therapy: Symptoms, Diagnosis, Pathogenesis, and Treatment Outcomes.

Harabuchi, Yasuaki, Kumai, Takumi, Nishi, Kensuke et al.·JMA journal·2025

This article discusses chronic epipharyngitis—long-term inflammation in the upper throat—and describes a treatment called epipharyngeal abrasion therapy (EAT) that aims to reduce this inflammation. The authors note that this throat inflammation may cause various symptoms including fatigue, brain fog, dizziness, and cough, and they review evidence that EAT might help some patients, including those with long COVID. However, this paper has been retracted and should not be relied upon for clinical decisions.

Cognitive Impairment

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 unclearReview-Narrative

Considerations for Long COVID Rehabilitation in Women.

Verduzco-Gutierrez, Monica, Fleming, Talya K, Azola, Alba M·Physical medicine and rehabilitation clinics of North America·2025

Long COVID is a condition where people experience ongoing symptoms weeks or months after a COVID-19 infection. This review examines how rehabilitation can help long COVID patients, with special attention to how women are affected differently. The authors emphasize that personalized treatment plans involving multiple types of therapy and healthcare teamwork are important for recovery.

Long COVID Overlap

E3 PreliminaryBehavioralPEM not requiredCase-Control

Crohn's disease, irritable bowel syndrome, and chronic fatigue: the importance of communication and symptom management-a case report.

Haedrich, Johannes, Huber, Roman·Journal of medical case reports·2025

This case study describes a 64-year-old man with Crohn's disease (an inflammatory bowel condition) who developed persistent diarrhea, abdominal pain, fatigue, and other symptoms that resembled both irritable bowel syndrome and chronic fatigue syndrome. When doctors provided him with a clear explanation of how his symptoms were connected to his gut condition, stress, and nervous system function, along with appropriate treatment, his symptoms improved significantly over 2.5 years. The case highlights how physical diseases and functional conditions (like ME/CFS) are often interconnected and may improve when both are recognized and treated together.

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM requiredCase-Control

Multimodal Telerehabilitation in Post COVID-19 Condition Recovery: A Series of 12 Cases.

Carpallo-Porcar, Beatriz, Beamonte, Esther Del Corral, Jiménez-Sánchez, Carolina et al.·Reports (MDPI)·2025

This study tested whether people recovering from COVID-19 could improve their symptoms through home-based exercise and education delivered via video appointments over 12 weeks. Most patients improved in fatigue, exercise capacity, and muscle strength, though breathlessness did not improve as much. The results suggest that remote rehabilitation programs delivered from home may be helpful for people with long COVID symptoms.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E3 PreliminaryCommentaryPEM unclear

Letter: Time to correct the record on the global burden of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS).

Vardaman, Maya, Gilmour, Stuart·Journal of translational medicine·2025

This editorial letter addresses the need to correct how the global health burden of ME/CFS is measured and reported. The authors argue that current statistics may not fully capture how severely this illness affects patients worldwide. They emphasize that getting accurate numbers is important for raising awareness and securing resources for research and patient care.

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Evidence browser

Dissecting the genetic complexity of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome via deep learning-powered genome analysis.

Jingfang Granule promotes the tricarboxylic acid cycle to improve chronic fatigue syndrome by increasing the expression of Idh1 and Idh2.

Exertional Exhaustion (Post-Exertional Malaise, PEM) Evaluated by the Effects of Exercise on Cerebrospinal Fluid Metabolomics-Lipidomics and Serine Pathway in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

HLA and pathogens in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) and other post-infection conditions.

Pediatric Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS): A Diagnostic and Communication Case Study for Health Care Providers in Training.

The potential causes of myasthenia and fasciculations in severely ill ME/CFS patients: the role of disturbed electrophysiology.

Profiling Antibody Reactivity to Gut Microbes in ME/CFS Patients.

Precision Medicine Study of Post-Exertional Malaise Epigenetic Changes in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Patients During Exercise.

Recovery from Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue syndrome developed after severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 vaccination: A case report.

["Ultimately, you are on your own." A qualitative analysis of barriers to health care from the perspective of patients with long COVID].

Patient Perspectives on the Care in a Long COVID Outpatient Clinic-A Regional Qualitative Analysis from Germany.

A Direct Relationship Between 'Blood Stasis' and Fibrinaloid Microclots in Chronic, Inflammatory, and Vascular Diseases, and Some Traditional Natural Products Approaches to Treatment.

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

Causal Relationship Between Diet, Lipids, Immune Cells, and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Two-Mediation Mendelian Randomization Study.

Retracted: Chronic Epipharyngitis Treated with Epipharyngeal Abrasion Therapy: Symptoms, Diagnosis, Pathogenesis, and Treatment Outcomes.

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

Considerations for Long COVID Rehabilitation in Women.

Crohn's disease, irritable bowel syndrome, and chronic fatigue: the importance of communication and symptom management-a case report.

Multimodal Telerehabilitation in Post COVID-19 Condition Recovery: A Series of 12 Cases.

Letter: Time to correct the record on the global burden of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS).

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