ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

4101–4120 of 6,162 studies

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

A Review of Stellate Ganglion Block as an Adjunctive Treatment Modality.

Kirkpatrick, Kennedy, Khan, Mashfee H, Deng, Yi et al.·Cureus·2023

This review article explores a procedure called stellate ganglion block (SGB), where doctors inject local anesthetic into nerve bundles in the neck to calm an overactive nervous system. The authors suggest that several conditions—including chronic fatigue syndrome, long-COVID, and loss of smell—may share a common problem: too much sympathetic nervous system activity (the 'fight or flight' response). Early case reports suggest SGB might help patients with these conditions when standard treatments don't work, though more research is needed.

Autonomic Nervous System

E3 PreliminaryBehavioralPEM requiredCase-Control

A patient who recovered from post-COVID myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome: a case report.

Oka, Takakazu·BioPsychoSocial medicine·2023

This case report describes a nurse who developed ME/CFS symptoms after recovering from COVID-19, including severe fatigue, pain, brain fog, and heart palpitations that lasted over 6 months. She received treatment combining dietary advice, supplements, behavioral strategies, exercise conditioning, and two medications (amitriptyline and a Japanese herbal medicine called hochuekkito), and eventually recovered fully and returned to work. This is the first detailed report showing that someone with post-COVID ME/CFS can recover with comprehensive multimodal treatment.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredMechanistic

Investigating the Human Intestinal DNA Virome and Predicting Disease-Associated Virus-Host Interactions in Severe Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS).

Hsieh, Shen-Yuan, Savva, George M, Telatin, Andrea et al.·International journal of molecular sciences·2023

This study looked at viruses living in the gut of people with severe ME/CFS and compared them to healthy people. The researchers found that people with ME/CFS have different types and amounts of viruses in their intestines, and they identified specific viruses that might interact with gut bacteria in ways that could be linked to the disease. This research provides a starting point for understanding whether these intestinal viruses might play a role in ME/CFS.

Gut Microbiome

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Potential molecular mechanisms of chronic fatigue in long haul COVID and other viral diseases.

Gottschalk, Carl Gunnar, Peterson, Daniel, Armstrong, Jan et al.·Infectious agents and cancer·2023

This review article examines how viral infections—including long COVID, EBV, and others—can trigger severe, lasting fatigue and related symptoms. The authors explore the biological mechanisms that might explain why some patients develop chronic muscle fatigue and brain fog after viral illness, and compare these processes to ME/CFS. This research suggests that multiple different viruses may cause fatigue through similar pathways in the body.

Immune SystemPost-Exertional Malaise

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Narrative Review of Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome: Associated Conditions and Management Strategies.

Steinberg, Rebecca S, Dicken, Weston, Cutchins, Alexis·US cardiology·2023

This review examines POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome), a condition where your heart rate jumps too quickly when you stand up, along with other symptoms like dizziness and fatigue. The authors combined research evidence with their clinical experience to explain how POTS is recognized, what other conditions often occur alongside it, and how doctors can treat it. Many patients and doctors find POTS frustrating to diagnose and manage because treatments haven't been well-studied and POTS shares symptoms with other conditions.

Autonomic Nervous System

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM unclearMechanistic

Genetic risk factors for severe and fatigue dominant long COVID and commonalities with ME/CFS identified by combinatorial analysis.

Taylor, Krystyna, Pearson, Matthew, Das, Sayoni et al.·Journal of translational medicine·2023

Researchers studied the genetic differences between people with long COVID to understand why some develop severe symptoms while others mainly experience extreme fatigue. They found that certain genetic variations, especially in genes related to brain function and metabolism, may influence how the disease develops. Importantly, they discovered that some of the same genetic patterns appear in both long COVID and ME/CFS patients, suggesting these conditions may share similar underlying biological mechanisms.

Energy MetabolismImmune System

E3 PreliminaryCommentaryPEM unclear

Long-COVID and myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS): Potential neurophysiological biomarkers for these enigmatic entities.

Versace, Viviana, Tankisi, Hatice·Clinical neurophysiology : official journal of the International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology·2023

This editorial discusses potential nerve-based tests that might help identify and distinguish Long-COVID and ME/CFS—two conditions that share similar exhaustion and brain symptoms but are still poorly understood. The authors review existing neurophysiological tools (tests that measure nerve and muscle function) that could potentially serve as objective biomarkers to help doctors diagnose these conditions more reliably. They highlight the need for further research to validate these tests and better understand what's happening in patients' nervous systems.

Biomarkers

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

αβ and γδ T-cell responses to Epstein-Barr Virus: insights in immunocompetence, immune failure and therapeutic augmentation in transplant patients.

Eiz-Vesper, Britta, Ravens, Sarina, Maecker-Kolhoff, Britta·Current opinion in immunology·2023

This review article examines how the immune system responds to Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV), a common virus that can cause chronic fatigue syndrome and other serious diseases. The authors focus on understanding why some people's immune systems fail to control EBV, particularly in transplant patients, and discuss potential treatments that could help strengthen the immune response against this virus.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

Pushing the envelope: Immune mechanism and application landscape of macrophage-activating lipopeptide-2.

Liao, Daoyong, Su, Xiaoling, Wang, Jingyun et al.·Frontiers in immunology·2023

This review examines how a molecule called MALP-2, derived from a bacterium linked to ME/CFS, affects the immune system. Researchers found that MALP-2 can activate immune cells in ways that might help fight infections and heal tissues. The molecule is simple to make and could potentially be developed into treatments for various conditions.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

Oxygen-ozone autohemotherapy in breast cancer patients suffering from fatigue and musculoskeletal pain upon aromatase inhibitors treatment: a case-series study.

Tirelli, U, Valdenassi, L, Franzini, M et al.·European review for medical and pharmacological sciences·2023

This study looked at six breast cancer patients taking a hormone therapy drug (anastrozole) who experienced severe pain, weakness, and fatigue as side effects. These patients received oxygen-ozone therapy, a treatment where blood is mixed with ozone gas and returned to the body. After treatment, patients reported significant reductions in both pain and fatigue that lasted for several months.

Pain and Sensitization

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

[Asthenia, mental fatigue and cognitive dysfunction].

Titova, N V, Bezdolny, Yu N, Katunina, E A·Zhurnal nevrologii i psikhiatrii imeni S.S. Korsakova·2023

This article discusses asthenia, which is a condition characterized by extreme tiredness that affects daily functioning and productivity. The authors explain that it's important to distinguish between simple chronic tiredness and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), and that fatigue can affect both the body and the mind. The article reviews how the brain may be involved in causing fatigue and cognitive problems, and suggests that a combination treatment using specific medications may help patients with fatigue and thinking difficulties.

Cognitive Impairment

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM unclearObservational

Causal Effects between Gut Microbiome and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Two-Sample Mendelian Randomization Study.

He, Gang, Cao, Yu, Ma, Honghao et al.·Frontiers in microbiology·2023

This study used genetic analysis to investigate whether changes in gut bacteria might actually cause ME/CFS, rather than just being associated with it. Researchers found that two types of bacteria—Paraprevotella and Ruminococcaceae_UCG_014—appear to increase the risk of developing ME/CFS. These findings suggest that gut bacteria may play a role in how ME/CFS develops.

Gut MicrobiomeImmune System

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM requiredObservational

Exercise-induced changes in gene expression do not mediate post exertional malaise in Gulf War illness.

Boruch, Alexander E, Lindheimer, Jacob B, Ninneman, Jacob V et al.·Brain, behavior, & immunity - health·2023

This study looked at whether post-exertional malaise (PEM)—the worsening of symptoms after physical activity—is caused by changes in gene activity in Gulf War illness patients. Veterans with Gulf War illness and healthy controls exercised on stationary bikes, and researchers measured gene expression in blood samples before and after exercise. While the study found that certain genes did change after exercise in Gulf War illness patients, these gene changes did not explain why their symptoms got worse.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM requiredReview-Narrative

[Myalgic Encephalitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Diagnostic and Therapeutic Approach and Biological Research].

Sato, Wakiro·Brain and nerve = Shinkei kenkyu no shinpo·2023

This article reviews what we currently know about ME/CFS, a serious illness marked by extreme tiredness, sleep problems, difficulty thinking clearly, and difficulty standing up without symptoms getting worse. A key feature is post-exertional malaise—when patients feel much worse after physical or mental activity—which means people with ME/CFS need to carefully manage their activity levels. The article summarizes current approaches to diagnosis and treatment, as well as recent scientific discoveries about what happens in the body during this disease.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Autoantibody Correlation Signatures in Fibromyalgia and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Association with Symptom Severity.

Ryabkova, Varvara A, Gavrilova, Natalia Y, Poletaeva, Alina A et al.·Biomedicines·2023

This study looked at immune system antibodies in people with ME/CFS, particularly those who also have fibromyalgia. Researchers measured 33 different types of natural antibodies in patients' blood and found that people with ME/CFS had unusual patterns of these antibodies, especially ones targeting GABA receptors in the brain. While the overall antibody levels didn't always differ from healthy controls, the way these antibodies related to each other was different, and certain patterns correlated with fatigue, pain, and mood symptoms.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM requiredObservational

Clinical improvement of Long-COVID is associated with reduction in autoantibodies, lipids, and inflammation following therapeutic apheresis.

Achleitner, Martin, Steenblock, Charlotte, Dänhardt, Juliane et al.·Molecular psychiatry·2023

Researchers tested a treatment called therapeutic apheresis (a blood-cleaning procedure) in Long-COVID patients and found that those who improved had significant reductions in harmful immune molecules, fatty substances, and inflammatory markers in their blood. The study also showed that a blood protein called fibrinogen dropped by 70% after treatment, and abnormal blood clumping patterns disappeared. This suggests the treatment may work by removing specific harmful substances from the blood.

Immune SystemPost-Exertional Malaise

E3 PreliminaryGuidelinePEM unclearGuideline

[Post-COVID Rehabilitation].

Küst, Jutta, Disko, Andreas, Calendo, Luigi Riccardo et al.·Praxis·2023

This guideline explains how to help people recover from post-COVID illness, which can cause lasting fatigue and memory problems that make it hard to work or manage daily life. Since there is no cure yet, treatment focuses on rehabilitation that is tailored to each patient's symptoms and goals, with special attention to gradually rebuilding activity while watching for post-exertional malaise—a worsening of symptoms after physical or mental effort. The approach involves multiple healthcare professionals working together to adjust the workload based on how the patient is doing over time.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E3 PreliminaryPEM required

Case report: Rapid improvements of anorexia nervosa and probable myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome upon metreleptin treatment during two dosing episodes.

Hebebrand, Johannes, Antel, Jochen, von Piechowski, Linda et al.·Frontiers in psychiatry·2023

This case report describes a 17-year-old boy who had both anorexia nervosa (an eating disorder) and probable ME/CFS (a condition causing extreme fatigue and pain after exertion). He was treated with a medication called metreleptin for short periods. Notably, the treatment appeared to improve not only his eating disorder symptoms but also his ME/CFS symptoms like fatigue and post-exertional muscle pain. This raises the possibility that metreleptin might help people with ME/CFS, especially those who have also lost significant weight.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM requiredMechanistic

Stress-Induced Transcriptomic Changes in Females with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Reveal Disrupted Immune Signatures.

Van Booven, Derek J, Gamer, Jackson, Joseph, Andrew et al.·International journal of molecular sciences·2023

This study looked at how the bodies of women with ME/CFS respond to exercise compared to healthy women. Researchers collected blood samples at three points: before exercise, during maximum effort, and during recovery. While healthy women's immune cells showed normal changes during exercise, women with ME/CFS showed unusual immune system activity specifically during the recovery period—the time when post-exertional malaise (worsening of symptoms) typically occurs.

Immune SystemPost-Exertional Malaise

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredMechanistic

Electroacupuncture at BL15 attenuates chronic fatigue syndrome by downregulating iNOS/NO signaling in C57BL/6 mice.

Zhu, Yang, Wang, Jingya, Yao, Lin et al.·Anatomical record (Hoboken, N.J. : 2007)·2023

This study tested whether electroacupuncture (a treatment involving tiny needles and electrical stimulation) could help mice with a condition similar to ME/CFS. Researchers found that electroacupuncture improved the mice's ability to move and strengthened their heart function by reducing levels of a particular chemical messenger (nitric oxide) in the body.

← Previous Next 20 studies →

Or browse by topic

PEM Immune Neuro Metabolic Biomarkers Severe ME Long COVID Cognitive

Evidence Atlas

Evidence browser

A Review of Stellate Ganglion Block as an Adjunctive Treatment Modality.

A patient who recovered from post-COVID myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome: a case report.

Investigating the Human Intestinal DNA Virome and Predicting Disease-Associated Virus-Host Interactions in Severe Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS).

Potential molecular mechanisms of chronic fatigue in long haul COVID and other viral diseases.

Narrative Review of Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome: Associated Conditions and Management Strategies.

Genetic risk factors for severe and fatigue dominant long COVID and commonalities with ME/CFS identified by combinatorial analysis.

Long-COVID and myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS): Potential neurophysiological biomarkers for these enigmatic entities.

αβ and γδ T-cell responses to Epstein-Barr Virus: insights in immunocompetence, immune failure and therapeutic augmentation in transplant patients.

Pushing the envelope: Immune mechanism and application landscape of macrophage-activating lipopeptide-2.

Oxygen-ozone autohemotherapy in breast cancer patients suffering from fatigue and musculoskeletal pain upon aromatase inhibitors treatment: a case-series study.

[Asthenia, mental fatigue and cognitive dysfunction].

Causal Effects between Gut Microbiome and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Two-Sample Mendelian Randomization Study.

Exercise-induced changes in gene expression do not mediate post exertional malaise in Gulf War illness.

[Myalgic Encephalitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Diagnostic and Therapeutic Approach and Biological Research].

Autoantibody Correlation Signatures in Fibromyalgia and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Association with Symptom Severity.

Clinical improvement of Long-COVID is associated with reduction in autoantibodies, lipids, and inflammation following therapeutic apheresis.

[Post-COVID Rehabilitation].

Case report: Rapid improvements of anorexia nervosa and probable myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome upon metreleptin treatment during two dosing episodes.

Stress-Induced Transcriptomic Changes in Females with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Reveal Disrupted Immune Signatures.

Electroacupuncture at BL15 attenuates chronic fatigue syndrome by downregulating iNOS/NO signaling in C57BL/6 mice.

Curated Collections

Neuroinflammation Evidence

Metabolism & Mitochondria

Biomarkers

PEM-Specific Research