ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

3981–4000 of 6,162 studies

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM requiredCross-Sectional

Immune exhaustion in ME/CFS and long COVID.

Eaton-Fitch, Natalie, Rudd, Penny, Er, Teagan et al.·JCI insight·2024

This study looked at immune system genes in blood samples from people with ME/CFS and long COVID to understand why their immune systems aren't working properly. Researchers found that people with ME/CFS had reduced immune signaling and infection-fighting genes, suggesting immune suppression, while long COVID patients showed different patterns of immune dysregulation. These findings suggest that both conditions involve problems with how the immune system activates and responds, which may help explain why people with these illnesses struggle with persistent symptoms.

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 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 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 PreliminaryCohortPEM unclearCase-Control

Longitudinal cytokine and multi-modal health data of an extremely severe ME/CFS patient with HSD reveals insights into immunopathology, and disease severity.

Jahanbani, Fereshteh, Sing, Justin Cyril, Maynard, Rajan Douglas et al.·Frontiers in immunology·2024

This study tracked one very severely ill ME/CFS patient over time, measuring immune system markers and detailed health information. Researchers found that the patient's immune system was shifted toward a Th2-type response (typically seen in allergies), with unusually high levels of certain immune chemicals. The study also introduced new smartphone apps to help patients and doctors track symptoms and treatment responses in real time.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM requiredCase-Control

Mitochondrial DNA Missense Mutations ChrMT: 8981A > G and ChrMT: 6268C > T Identified in a Caucasian Female with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) Triggered by the Epstein-Barr Virus.

Tang-Siegel, Gaoyan G, Maughan, David W, Frownfelter, Milah B et al.·Case reports in genetics·2024

This study describes one patient with ME/CFS whose symptoms began after a severe viral infection (Epstein-Barr virus, which causes mononucleosis) 24 years ago. Researchers found that her cells had genetic mutations affecting the mitochondria—the 'power plants' that produce energy for our bodies—which may explain her extreme fatigue and difficulty recovering from physical activity. The study also found abnormal mitochondria circulating in her blood, suggesting that energy production problems may be contributing to her ME/CFS symptoms.

Post-Exertional Malaise

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 PreliminaryMechanismPEM unclearObservational

Head-down tilt reduces the heart rate in postural tachycardia syndrome in acute setting: a pilot study.

Novak, Peter·Neurological sciences : official journal of the Italian Neurological Society and of the Italian Society of Clinical Neurophysiology·2024

This small study tested whether tilting the head downward slightly could help people with POTS (a condition causing rapid heart rate when standing). Researchers found that a 10-degree head-down tilt for 2 minutes safely reduced heart rate by about 10% and improved blood oxygen levels. Four of the seven patients tested also had ME/CFS, suggesting this approach might have potential for multiple related conditions.

Autonomic Nervous System

E3 PreliminaryCommentaryPEM unclear

False Alarm: XMRV, Cancer, and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Coffin, John M, Kearney, Mary F·Annual review of virology·2024

In 2009, scientists found a virus called XMRV in some people with ME/CFS, which created excitement that they might have discovered a cause of the illness. However, when researchers around the world tried to confirm this finding, they repeatedly could not—and eventually realized the virus had contaminated the laboratory samples with mouse virus rather than coming from patients. This article tells the story of how this discovery was made, why it turned out to be false, and what we learned from this experience.

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredMechanistic

Effect of electroacupuncture on expression of protein phosphorylation in hippocampus tissues of rats with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Yang, Yan, Sun, Zhong-Ren, Li, Chao-Ran et al.·Zhen ci yan jiu = Acupuncture research·2024

Researchers tested whether acupuncture with electrical stimulation could help rats with an artificially induced fatigue-like condition. After 28 days of treatment, the acupuncture-treated rats showed improvements in their overall condition, anxiety levels, and memory compared to untreated rats. The researchers found changes in brain proteins that might explain how the treatment helped.

Cognitive Impairment

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Mast cells in the autonomic nervous system and potential role in disorders with dysautonomia and neuroinflammation.

Theoharides, Theoharis C, Twahir, Assma, Kempuraj, Duraisamy·Annals of allergy, asthma & immunology : official publication of the American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology·2024

This study examines mast cells, which are immune cells found throughout the body, and how they may be involved in conditions like ME/CFS that affect the nervous system and cause abnormal heart rate and blood pressure responses. Mast cells sit near nerve endings and important organs, where they can release chemicals that affect how the body regulates basic functions like temperature and blood pressure. The researchers suggest that controlling mast cell activation might help treat these conditions, though currently there are no proven treatments.

NeuroinflammationImmune System

E3 PreliminaryCommentaryPEM unclearEditorial

Unravelling shared mechanisms: insights from recent ME/CFS research to illuminate long COVID pathologies.

Annesley, Sarah J, Missailidis, Daniel, Heng, Benjamin et al.·Trends in molecular medicine·2024

This article reviews recent research on ME/CFS and long COVID, two illnesses that share similar symptoms and may have overlapping causes. ME/CFS typically develops after a viral infection and can last for many years, while long COVID is a newer condition affecting some people recovering from COVID-19. By studying ME/CFS, which has been around longer, researchers hope to better understand what might happen to long COVID patients over time and develop better treatments and tests for both conditions.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM unclearMechanistic

Heat treatment in health and disease: How water-filtered infrared-A (wIRA) irradiation affects key cellular mechanisms in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) patients compared to healthy donors.

Hochecker, Barbara, Molinski, Noah, Matt, Katja et al.·Journal of thermal biology·2024

This study tested whether a gentle heat treatment called water-filtered infrared-A (wIRA) could affect how cells work in ME/CFS patients compared to healthy people. Researchers warmed cells from both groups to 39°C for one hour and looked at three important cellular processes: autophagy (cells cleaning themselves), mitochondrial function (energy production), and gene activity. The heat treatment activated cleaning and stress-response processes in all cells tested, and in ME/CFS cells specifically, it slightly reduced the high mitochondrial activity toward levels seen in healthy cells.

Energy Metabolism

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Nutrition and Chronobiology as Key Components of Multidisciplinary Therapeutic Interventions for Fibromyalgia and Associated Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Narrative and Critical Review.

Carrasco-Querol, Noèlia, Cabricano-Canga, Lorena, Bueno Hernández, Nerea et al.·Nutrients·2024

This review examines how diet and body rhythms (sleep-wake cycles) affect fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. The authors found that what you eat, nutrient levels, gut bacteria, and your natural circadian rhythm all play important roles in these conditions. They conclude that treating FM/CFS effectively requires paying attention to nutrition and sleep timing alongside other therapies.

Sleep

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM unclearObservational

Deep phenotyping of post-infectious myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome.

Walitt, Brian, Singh, Komudi, LaMunion, Samuel R et al.·Nature communications·2024

This study carefully examined 17 people with ME/CFS that started after an infection and compared them to healthy controls to understand what's happening in their bodies and brains. Researchers found that people with ME/CFS have trouble with how their brain decides whether to exert effort (not because their muscles are weak, but because their brain's decision-making is altered), along with immune system changes showing ongoing response to past infections, and differences in how their cells use energy. These discoveries suggest ME/CFS involves multiple body systems working abnormally together, which could help guide future treatments.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryDiagnosticPEM not requiredMethods-Paper

Combining Topic Modeling, Sentiment Analysis, and Corpus Linguistics to Analyze Unstructured Web-Based Patient Experience Data: Case Study of Modafinil Experiences.

Walsh, Julia, Cave, Jonathan, Griffiths, Frances·Journal of medical Internet research·2024

Researchers analyzed nearly 70,000 posts from online forums and social media where people discussed their experiences taking modafinil, a wakefulness-promoting medication. They used computer programs to organize and understand what people wrote about how the drug affected them, what side effects they experienced, and whether it helped their symptoms. They found that most people reported positive experiences, but this contrasts sharply with what formal clinical trials have shown about modafinil's effectiveness.

Interventions

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

"A bit of a cough, tired, not very resilient - is that already Long-COVID?" perceptions and experiences of GPs with Long-COVID in year three of the pandemic. a qualitative interview study in Austria.

Wojczewski, Silvia, Mayrhofer, Mira, Szabo, Nathalie et al.·BMC public health·2024

This study asked 30 Austrian general practitioners (GPs) about their experiences diagnosing and treating Long-COVID patients during 2022. All GPs had seen Long-COVID patients, but many found treatment frustrating because patients often didn't improve significantly, and costs were high. The study found that GPs working in teams and those in cities with specialist networks managed Long-COVID more easily.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E3 PreliminaryDiagnosticPEM unclearMethods-Paper

Core outcome measurement set for research and clinical practice in post-COVID-19 condition (long COVID) in children and young people: an international Delphi consensus study "PC-COS Children".

Seylanova, Nina, Chernyavskaya, Anastasia, Degtyareva, Natalia et al.·The European respiratory journal·2024

This study developed a standardized list of health outcomes and measurement tools that doctors and researchers should use when evaluating children and young people with long COVID. International experts from 37 countries agreed on seven key areas to measure: fatigue, post-exertion symptoms, changes in work or school, and cardiovascular, neurological, gastrointestinal, and physical problems. They also identified specific questionnaires that work best for measuring fatigue, digestive symptoms, thinking problems, and overall functioning.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Functional neurological disorder, physical activity and exercise: What we know and what we can learn from comorbid disorders.

Boylan, Kelly A, Dworetzky, Barbara A, Baslet, Gaston et al.·Epilepsy & behavior reports·2024

This review examines how exercise and physical activity might help people with functional neurological disorder (FND), a condition that causes neurological symptoms without a clear structural brain abnormality. The authors note that FND often occurs alongside other conditions like ME/CFS, fibromyalgia, and POTS, and they suggest that problems with the autonomic nervous system (which controls automatic body functions) may underlie these conditions. By looking at research on exercise in related disorders, they explore how physical activity might help regulate the nervous system and reduce symptoms.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E3 PreliminaryCommentaryPEM unclear

Medical students highlight the importance of medical education, kindness, compassion and belief when learning about patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome.

Muirhead, Nina Louise·The journal of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh·2024

This article is an editorial discussing what medical students have learned about treating ME/CFS patients effectively. The key message is that doctors need to combine medical knowledge with kindness, compassion, and genuine belief in their patients' experiences. The authors emphasize that how doctors treat ME/CFS patients matters just as much as the medical facts they know.

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Evidence Atlas

Evidence browser

Immune exhaustion in ME/CFS and long COVID.

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

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

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

Longitudinal cytokine and multi-modal health data of an extremely severe ME/CFS patient with HSD reveals insights into immunopathology, and disease severity.

Mitochondrial DNA Missense Mutations ChrMT: 8981A > G and ChrMT: 6268C > T Identified in a Caucasian Female with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) Triggered by the Epstein-Barr Virus.

[Effect of ECT on chronic fatigue syndrome].

Head-down tilt reduces the heart rate in postural tachycardia syndrome in acute setting: a pilot study.

False Alarm: XMRV, Cancer, and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Effect of electroacupuncture on expression of protein phosphorylation in hippocampus tissues of rats with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Mast cells in the autonomic nervous system and potential role in disorders with dysautonomia and neuroinflammation.

Unravelling shared mechanisms: insights from recent ME/CFS research to illuminate long COVID pathologies.

Heat treatment in health and disease: How water-filtered infrared-A (wIRA) irradiation affects key cellular mechanisms in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) patients compared to healthy donors.

Nutrition and Chronobiology as Key Components of Multidisciplinary Therapeutic Interventions for Fibromyalgia and Associated Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Narrative and Critical Review.

Deep phenotyping of post-infectious myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome.

Combining Topic Modeling, Sentiment Analysis, and Corpus Linguistics to Analyze Unstructured Web-Based Patient Experience Data: Case Study of Modafinil Experiences.

"A bit of a cough, tired, not very resilient - is that already Long-COVID?" perceptions and experiences of GPs with Long-COVID in year three of the pandemic. a qualitative interview study in Austria.

Core outcome measurement set for research and clinical practice in post-COVID-19 condition (long COVID) in children and young people: an international Delphi consensus study "PC-COS Children".

Functional neurological disorder, physical activity and exercise: What we know and what we can learn from comorbid disorders.

Medical students highlight the importance of medical education, kindness, compassion and belief when learning about patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome.

Curated Collections

Neuroinflammation Evidence

Metabolism & Mitochondria

Biomarkers

PEM-Specific Research