ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

3961–3980 of 6,162 studies

E3 PreliminaryCommentaryPEM unclearEditorial

Long COVID and hypermobility spectrum disorders have shared pathophysiology.

Ganesh, Ravindra, Munipalli, Bala·Frontiers in neurology·2024

This review highlights that people with long COVID and ME/CFS often have joint hypermobility (excessive flexibility) at rates much higher than the general population. Both conditions share similar symptoms like pain, heart rate problems, brain fog, and fatigue, and may involve similar inflammatory processes affecting connective tissues. The authors suggest that screening for joint hypermobility and related conditions is important for long COVID patients, and that treatment should focus on managing individual symptoms through medication, gentle exercise, massage, and relaxation techniques.

E3 PreliminaryCommentaryPEM unclearEditorial

Microvascular Capillary and Precapillary Cardiovascular Disturbances Strongly Interact to Severely Affect Tissue Perfusion and Mitochondrial Function in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Evolving from the Post COVID-19 Syndrome.

Wirth, Klaus Josef, Löhn, Matthias·Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania)·2024

This study proposes that ME/CFS may develop from COVID-19 in some people due to problems with how blood flows through tiny vessels in the body. The researchers suggest that abnormal blood cells and clots, combined with weak heart function and overly constricted blood vessels, create a double problem that starves muscles of oxygen and damages the energy-producing structures (mitochondria) inside cells. This combination may trigger a harmful cycle that keeps the problem going.

Energy Metabolism

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

From Viral Infection to Autoimmune Reaction: Exploring the Link between Human Herpesvirus 6 and Autoimmune Diseases.

Sokolovska, Liba, Cistjakovs, Maksims, Matroze, Asnate et al.·Microorganisms·2024

This review examines how Human Herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6), a virus that most people carry, might trigger autoimmune diseases where the immune system mistakenly attacks the body's own cells. The virus can hide in the body for years and reactivate later, and it appears to interfere with immune system function. Researchers found evidence linking HHV-6 to several autoimmune conditions, including multiple sclerosis and thyroid disease.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM unclear

Successful treatment of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome using hydrogen gas: four case reports.

Hirano, Shin-Ichi, Ichikawa, Yusuke, Sato, Bunpei et al.·Medical gas research·2024

This study looked at four patients with ME/CFS who were treated with hydrogen gas and reported improvements in their symptoms. The researchers described how each patient used hydrogen gas therapy and what changes they noticed over time. While the results are encouraging for these individual cases, this is a very small study that needs much larger research to confirm whether hydrogen gas could help ME/CFS patients more broadly.

Interventions

E3 PreliminaryDiagnosticPEM unclearMethods-Paper

Development of an expert system for the classification of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome.

Yagin, Fatma Hilal, Shateri, Ahmadreza, Nasiri, Hamid et al.·PeerJ. Computer science·2024

Researchers used artificial intelligence to analyze blood samples from 32 women with ME/CFS and 19 healthy controls, examining 832 different substances in their blood. The AI model identified just 50 key substances that could distinguish ME/CFS patients from healthy people with 98.85% accuracy. The study found that ME/CFS patients had different levels of five specific metabolites in their blood, which could potentially be used as biomarkers for diagnosis.

Biomarkers

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM unclearMechanistic

Dysregulation of tetrahydrobiopterin metabolism in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome by pentose phosphate pathway.

Bulbule, Sarojini, Gottschalk, Carl Gunnar, Drosen, Molly E et al.·Journal of central nervous system disease·2024

Researchers found that patients with ME/CFS who experience dizziness upon standing have abnormally high levels of certain molecules called biopterins in their blood. The study discovered that these molecules are produced through an unusual metabolic pathway involving the breakdown of glucose, and this pathway appears to trigger inflammation in immune cells. This finding suggests a potential biochemical explanation for some ME/CFS symptoms.

Energy MetabolismImmune System

E3 PreliminaryDiagnosticPEM requiredMethods-Paper

Assessing Functional Capacity in Myalgic Encephalopathy/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Patient-Informed Questionnaire.

Sommerfelt, Kristian, Schei, Trude, Seton, Katharine A et al.·Journal of clinical medicine·2024

Researchers created a new questionnaire called FUNCAP to measure how much people with ME/CFS can actually do in their daily lives. The tool has two versions: a longer one with 55 questions (for doctors and disability assessments) and a shorter one with 27 questions (for regular check-ups). After testing it with thousands of patients from Norway and around the world, they found it works reliably and accurately captures the impact of ME/CFS on real-life activities.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Conceptual foundations of acetylcarnitine supplementation in neuropsychiatric long COVID syndrome: a narrative review.

Helbing, Dario Lucas, Dommaschk, Eva-Maria, Danyeli, Lena Vera et al.·European archives of psychiatry and clinical neuroscience·2024

This review examines whether a natural supplement called acetylcarnitine might help treat long COVID symptoms like fatigue, brain fog, and depression. Acetylcarnitine is a substance your body normally makes that helps cells produce energy. The authors looked at research showing this supplement has helped some people with similar illnesses like ME/CFS and depression, and they propose studying whether it could help long COVID patients too.

Neuroinflammation

E3 PreliminaryBehavioralPEM unclearCase-Control

[Effect of ECT on chronic fatigue syndrome].

Novakovic, Mina, Løhde, Linda, Brandt-Christensen, Anne Mette et al.·Ugeskrift for laeger·2024

This case report describes an older woman who was diagnosed with ME/CFS 30 years ago but was later found to actually have depression with severe fatigue as a main symptom. She received electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) for depression and regained the ability to walk after six years of immobility. The case highlights how depression and ME/CFS can look similar and sometimes get confused with one another.

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

A Narrative Review on Gut Microbiome Disturbances and Microbial Preparations in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Implications for Long COVID.

Jurek, Joanna Michalina, Castro-Marrero, Jesus·Nutrients·2024

This review examines how changes in gut bacteria may contribute to ME/CFS and long COVID symptoms, and whether taking probiotics or similar microbial preparations might help. The authors looked at existing research to understand the connection between gut health and the brain-immune system, and whether restoring healthy gut bacteria could reduce fatigue, inflammation, and other symptoms in these conditions.

NeuroinflammationImmune SystemPost-Exertional Malaise

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM unclearMechanistic

Potential pathophysiological role of the ion channel TRPM3 in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) and the therapeutic effect of low-dose naltrexone.

Löhn, Matthias, Wirth, Klaus Josef·Journal of translational medicine·2024

This study explores how a specific ion channel called TRPM3, which helps control pain signals and immune cell function, may not work properly in ME/CFS patients. The researchers found that immune cells called natural killer cells have reduced function due to TRPM3 problems, and a medication called low-dose naltrexone (LDN) may help restore this function in laboratory tests. This could explain why some ME/CFS patients report feeling better with LDN treatment.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryPEM unclear

Virtual reality education on myalgic encephalomyelitis for medical students and healthcare professionals: a pilot study.

Anderson, Tara, Duffy, Grace, Corry, Dagmar·BMC medical education·2024

Researchers tested whether a virtual reality (VR) experience could help medical students and healthcare professionals better understand ME/CFS. The VR program showed real stories from people living with ME/CFS and their families. After using the VR experience, both groups showed significantly better understanding of the condition and greater empathy for patients—suggesting that immersive storytelling could be a useful training tool to address the widespread lack of knowledge about ME/CFS in healthcare.

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM requiredCross-Sectional

Dysregulation of extracellular vesicle protein cargo in female myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome cases and sedentary controls in response to maximal exercise.

Giloteaux, Ludovic, Glass, Katherine A, Germain, Arnaud et al.·Journal of extracellular vesicles·2024

When people without ME/CFS exercise, their bodies release tiny particles called extracellular vesicles that help cells communicate and recover. This study found that in people with ME/CFS, these particles carry different proteins after exercise compared to healthy people, and these differences match how severe a person's symptoms are. This suggests that ME/CFS patients' bodies may have a distinct biological response to exercise that could explain why exertion makes their symptoms worse.

BiomarkersPost-Exertional Malaise

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM requiredMechanistic

Single-cell transcriptomics of the immune system in ME/CFS at baseline and following symptom provocation.

Vu, Luyen Tien, Ahmed, Faraz, Zhu, Hongya et al.·Cell reports. Medicine·2024

Researchers used advanced technology to examine immune cells from ME/CFS patients and healthy controls, both at rest and after exercise. They found that ME/CFS patients have problems with a type of immune cell called monocytes that appear abnormal and may be moving into tissues inappropriately. After exercise, patients showed additional problems with platelets (cells involved in blood clotting), suggesting the disease involves multiple layers of immune system dysfunction.

Immune SystemPost-Exertional Malaise

E3 PreliminaryDiagnosticPEM unclearMethods-Paper

Machine learning algorithms for detection of visuomotor neural control differences in individuals with PASC and ME.

Ahuja, Harit, Badhwar, Smriti, Edgell, Heather et al.·Frontiers in human neuroscience·2024

Researchers developed a new method using a simple headband that reads brain activity (EEG) to help identify people with long COVID or ME/CFS. The study used artificial intelligence to analyze brain patterns, and when trained on computer-generated synthetic data, the system was able to correctly identify these conditions 93% of the time. This approach could eventually help doctors diagnose and monitor these conditions more quickly.

Biomarkers

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM unclearCase-Control

Identification of CD8 T-cell dysfunction associated with symptoms in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) and Long COVID and treatment with a nebulized antioxidant/anti-pathogen agent in a retrospective case series.

Gil, Anna, Hoag, George E, Salerno, John P et al.·Brain, behavior, & immunity - health·2024

This study found that people with ME/CFS and Long COVID have immune cells (called CD8 T-cells) that don't work properly—they can't produce certain protective substances as well as healthy people can. The researchers also tested a nebulized (inhaled) treatment made from five natural antioxidant ingredients in a small group of patients and found that both the immune cell function and symptom severity improved over time with treatment, without serious side effects.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

A phenomenological study on the lived experience of men with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Snell, Gracie Elizabeth, Seage, Catherine Heidi, Mercer, Jenny·Journal of health psychology·2024

This study interviewed five men with ME/CFS to understand how they experience the illness differently than women might. The men struggled to accept their diagnosis because they felt their symptoms conflicted with what they thought it meant to be male. They also felt that doctors didn't take their ME/CFS seriously, so they looked for support and validation from other people with the condition instead.

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

'We have no services for you… so you have to make the best out of it': A qualitative study of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome patients' dissatisfaction with healthcare services.

Melby, Line, Nair, Roshan das·Health expectations : an international journal of public participation in health care and health policy·2024

This study interviewed 48 people (patients and family members) in Norway about their frustrations with healthcare for ME/CFS. Researchers found that patients struggle with four main problems: services that don't exist for their condition, services that aren't tailored to their individual needs, services that come too late to help, and services that are wrong for ME/CFS altogether. The study suggests that doctors' lack of knowledge about ME/CFS and sometimes disbelief in the condition itself are major reasons why patients feel let down by healthcare.

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Sex differences in vascular endothelial function related to acute and long COVID-19.

Kitselman A, Kayla, Bédard-Matteau, Jérôme, Rousseau, Simon et al.·Vascular pharmacology·2024

This review examines how COVID-19 and long COVID affect blood vessel health differently in men and women. The authors look at how the virus can damage the inner lining of blood vessels, trigger immune problems, and potentially lead to ME/CFS symptoms. They explore whether biological sex differences explain why some people recover while others develop long-term symptoms like fatigue.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM unclearMechanistic

Exploring the shared mechanism of fatigue between systemic lupus erythematosus and myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome: monocytic dysregulation and drug repurposing.

Zheng, Daisi, Li, Xiaolong, Wang, Peicheng et al.·Frontiers in immunology·2024

Researchers discovered that ME/CFS and lupus (SLE) may share similar immune problems, particularly involving immune cells called monocytes that become overactive and produce excess inflammation. By studying genes and immune cells from both diseases, they identified five key inflammatory proteins that appear important in fatigue, and they predict that certain existing drugs—particularly N-acetyl-L-cysteine and camptothecin—might help reduce this inflammation.

Immune System

← Previous Next 20 studies →

Or browse by topic

PEM Immune Neuro Metabolic Biomarkers Severe ME Long COVID Cognitive

Evidence Atlas

Evidence browser

Long COVID and hypermobility spectrum disorders have shared pathophysiology.

Microvascular Capillary and Precapillary Cardiovascular Disturbances Strongly Interact to Severely Affect Tissue Perfusion and Mitochondrial Function in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Evolving from the Post COVID-19 Syndrome.

From Viral Infection to Autoimmune Reaction: Exploring the Link between Human Herpesvirus 6 and Autoimmune Diseases.

Successful treatment of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome using hydrogen gas: four case reports.

Development of an expert system for the classification of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome.

Dysregulation of tetrahydrobiopterin metabolism in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome by pentose phosphate pathway.

Assessing Functional Capacity in Myalgic Encephalopathy/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Patient-Informed Questionnaire.

Conceptual foundations of acetylcarnitine supplementation in neuropsychiatric long COVID syndrome: a narrative review.

[Effect of ECT on chronic fatigue syndrome].

A Narrative Review on Gut Microbiome Disturbances and Microbial Preparations in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Implications for Long COVID.

Potential pathophysiological role of the ion channel TRPM3 in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) and the therapeutic effect of low-dose naltrexone.

Virtual reality education on myalgic encephalomyelitis for medical students and healthcare professionals: a pilot study.

Dysregulation of extracellular vesicle protein cargo in female myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome cases and sedentary controls in response to maximal exercise.

Single-cell transcriptomics of the immune system in ME/CFS at baseline and following symptom provocation.

Machine learning algorithms for detection of visuomotor neural control differences in individuals with PASC and ME.

Identification of CD8 T-cell dysfunction associated with symptoms in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) and Long COVID and treatment with a nebulized antioxidant/anti-pathogen agent in a retrospective case series.

A phenomenological study on the lived experience of men with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

'We have no services for you… so you have to make the best out of it': A qualitative study of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome patients' dissatisfaction with healthcare services.

Sex differences in vascular endothelial function related to acute and long COVID-19.

Exploring the shared mechanism of fatigue between systemic lupus erythematosus and myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome: monocytic dysregulation and drug repurposing.

Curated Collections

Neuroinflammation Evidence

Metabolism & Mitochondria

Biomarkers

PEM-Specific Research