ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

4201–4220 of 6,162 studies

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM unclearMechanistic

Serum of Post-COVID-19 Syndrome Patients with or without ME/CFS Differentially Affects Endothelial Cell Function In Vitro.

Flaskamp, Lavinia, Roubal, Constanze, Uddin, Steven et al.·Cells·2022

This study examined blood samples from people with long COVID and those who developed ME/CFS after COVID-19, comparing them to healthy controls. Researchers tested whether certain proteins in these blood samples could harm the cells that line blood vessels. They found that the blood of ME/CFS patients contained more of these harmful proteins, and the blood samples from both patient groups affected blood vessel cells in different ways that could contribute to the fatigue and other symptoms these patients experience.

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM unclearMechanistic

Epipharyngeal Abrasive Therapy (EAT) Reduces the mRNA Expression of Major Proinflammatory Cytokine IL-6 in Chronic Epipharyngitis.

Nishi, Kensuke, Yoshimoto, Shohei, Nishi, Soichiro et al.·International journal of molecular sciences·2022

This study looked at a Japanese treatment called Epipharyngeal Abrasive Therapy (EAT) that targets chronic inflammation in the epipharynx (the area behind your nasal cavity). The researchers found that patients who received EAT had significantly lower levels of IL-6, a key inflammatory molecule linked to ME/CFS symptoms, compared to those who didn't receive the treatment. This suggests that reducing inflammation in this specific area might help improve systemic symptoms in ME/CFS and similar conditions.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM unclearMechanistic

EBV/HHV-6A dUTPases contribute to myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome pathophysiology by enhancing TFH cell differentiation and extrafollicular activities.

Cox, Brandon S, Alharshawi, Khaled, Mena-Palomo, Irene et al.·JCI insight·2022

This study found that some people with ME/CFS have abnormal immune responses linked to past infections with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and human herpesvirus 6A (HHV-6A). The researchers discovered that proteins from these viruses may trigger the immune system to produce excess amounts of certain signaling molecules, leading to confused immune cell behavior. This suggests a possible biological mechanism for how these common viruses might contribute to ME/CFS symptoms in some patients.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Understanding myalgic encephalomyelitis.

Marshall-Gradisnik, Sonya, Eaton-Fitch, Natalie·Science (New York, N.Y.)·2022

This article examines myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME/CFS), a serious illness that causes extreme tiredness, pain, and other symptoms that get worse after activity. The researchers note that ME/CFS and Long COVID (a condition affecting some people after COVID-19) share many similar features. Understanding these overlaps may help doctors better recognize and treat both conditions.

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM unclearMechanistic

Impaired TRPM3-dependent calcium influx and restoration using Naltrexone in natural killer cells of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome patients.

Eaton-Fitch, Natalie, Du Preez, Stanley, Cabanas, Hélène et al.·Journal of translational medicine·2022

This study found that immune cells called natural killer cells in ME/CFS patients have a broken calcium channel (TRPM3) that prevents them from working properly. When researchers treated these cells overnight with a drug called naltrexone, the calcium channel started working better and the immune cells functioned more like those from healthy people. This suggests that ME/CFS may involve faulty ion channels and that naltrexone could potentially help restore immune cell function.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

[Mechanism of acupuncture and moxibustion in treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome from perspective of intestinal flora].

Li, Chao-Ran, Sun, Zhong-Ren, Wang, Yu-Lin et al.·Zhongguo zhen jiu = Chinese acupuncture & moxibustion·2022

This study explores how gut bacteria may contribute to chronic fatigue syndrome and suggests that acupuncture and moxibustion (traditional Chinese medicine techniques) might help by restoring healthy gut bacteria. The researchers believe that an imbalance in gut bacteria can trigger inflammation and metabolism problems in ME/CFS patients, and that these traditional treatments could reduce fatigue by improving gut health and communication between the gut and brain.

Gut MicrobiomeImmune System

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM requiredCross-Sectional

Diagnosis of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome With Partial Least Squares Discriminant Analysis: Relevance of Blood Extracellular Vesicles.

González-Cebrián, Alba, Almenar-Pérez, Eloy, Xu, Jiabao et al.·Frontiers in medicine·2022

Researchers tested whether tiny particles called extracellular vesicles in blood could help diagnose ME/CFS. They analyzed various substances in blood from patients and healthy controls using a computer analysis method. The study found that certain features of these blood particles, combined with other markers, could potentially identify ME/CFS, though more testing is needed to confirm this works reliably in larger groups.

Biomarkers

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM unclearCase-Control

Orthostatic intolerance as a potential contributor to prolonged fatigue and inconsistent performance in elite swimmers.

Petracek, Lindsay S, Eastin, Ella F, Rowe, Ian R et al.·BMC sports science, medicine & rehabilitation·2022

This study looked at five elite swimmers who experienced severe fatigue and couldn't perform at their usual level. The researchers tested whether orthostatic intolerance—a condition where the body struggles to maintain proper blood pressure when standing—might explain their symptoms. When the swimmers were tested with standing or tilt table tests, they all felt fatigued and other symptoms appeared. After receiving treatment with extra salt and fluids, all five swimmers felt significantly better and returned to normal performance.

Autonomic Nervous System

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

Stellate ganglion block reduces symptoms of Long COVID: A case series.

Liu, Luke D, Duricka, Deborah L·Journal of neuroimmunology·2022

This small study looked at a procedure called a stellate ganglion block, which uses local anesthetic to temporarily quiet the nerve signals in the neck that control your 'fight or flight' response. Two Long COVID patients received this procedure, and their symptoms—including fatigue, brain fog, and dizziness upon standing—improved. The authors suggest that an imbalance in the autonomic nervous system (the system that controls automatic body functions) may be contributing to Long COVID symptoms.

Neuroinflammation

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

Breast implant illness: scientific evidence of its existence.

Cohen Tervaert, J W, Mohazab, N, Redmond, D et al.·Expert review of clinical immunology·2022

This review examined whether silicone breast implants cause a condition called breast implant illness (BII), which includes symptoms like chronic fatigue, joint pain, muscle pain, and brain fog. The authors concluded that there is a causal link between silicone implants and these systemic symptoms in some women, and that removing the implants typically resolves the symptoms.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Dissecting the Molecular Mechanisms Surrounding Post-COVID-19 Syndrome and Neurological Features.

Mohamed, Mohamed S, Johansson, Anton, Jonsson, Jörgen et al.·International journal of molecular sciences·2022

This study reviews how the virus that causes COVID-19 may damage the nervous system and brain, leading to long-term symptoms similar to those seen in other coronavirus outbreaks. The authors identify specific brain mechanisms—involving inflammation, nerve cell communication problems, and hormone regulation—that could explain why some people develop persistent neurological symptoms after COVID-19. These findings suggest potential targets for future treatments.

Neuroinflammation

E3 PreliminaryPEM not required

An Unexpected Journey: The Lived Experiences of Patients with Long-Term Cognitive Sequelae After Recovering from COVID-19.

Loft, Mia I, Foged, Eva M, Koreska, Mai·Qualitative health research·2022

This study listened to people who experienced long-lasting thinking and memory problems after recovering from COVID-19. Patients described how these cognitive symptoms disrupted their daily lives, work, and relationships, and left them feeling anxious and uncertain about their future. The researchers suggest that doctors and researchers could learn from how people with similar conditions—like ME/CFS—manage their symptoms while waiting for treatments.

Cognitive Impairment

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

Skeletal muscle alterations in patients with acute Covid-19 and post-acute sequelae of Covid-19.

Soares, Madu N, Eggelbusch, Moritz, Naddaf, Elie et al.·Journal of cachexia, sarcopenia and muscle·2022

Many people with COVID-19 and long COVID experience muscle weakness and tiredness, especially after physical activity. This review examines what happens inside muscle cells in these patients, including muscle fiber shrinkage, changes in how muscles use energy, and immune cell buildup. The authors suggest that severe illness, lack of activity, low oxygen levels, and poor nutrition all contribute to these problems, similar to what happens in other serious conditions.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Perspective: Drawing on Findings From Critical Illness to Explain Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Stanculescu, Dominic, Bergquist, Jonas·Frontiers in medicine·2022

This paper suggests that ME/CFS might develop through similar biological problems seen in people with severe critical illnesses. The researchers propose that four interconnected issues—reduced blood flow to tissues, damage to the gut lining, problems with pituitary gland function, and low thyroid hormone activity—could work together to create a cycle that keeps ME/CFS going. Understanding these connections could help develop better treatments.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

Late-Onset Hypogonadism in a Male Patient with Long COVID Diagnosed by Exclusion of ME/CFS.

Soejima, Yoshiaki, Otsuka, Yuki, Tokumasu, Kazuki et al.·Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania)·2022

This case report describes a 36-year-old man who had persistent fatigue after COVID-19 infection. Doctors discovered he had abnormally low testosterone levels and pituitary gland problems, which can cause fatigue and other symptoms. After treatment with traditional herbal medicine, his fatigue improved along with his hormone levels and gland function.

E3 PreliminaryCommentaryPEM unclearEditorial

Editorial: The Brain Under Fatigue.

Niu, Haijing, Ming, Dong, Papadelis, Christos et al.·Frontiers in neuroscience·2022

This editorial discusses how fatigue affects the brain and brain function. It serves as an introduction to recent research exploring the connections between fatigue and brain activity, highlighting why scientists are interested in understanding how exhaustion impacts our ability to think and function.

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

The importance of school in the management of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS): issues identified by adolescents and their families.

Clery, Philippa, Linney, Catherine, Parslow, Roxanne et al.·Health & social care in the community·2022

This study asked teenagers with ME/CFS, their families, and doctors about their experiences with school. The researchers found that school is very important for young people with ME/CFS—both for their education and friendships—but schools vary widely in how well they support students with this condition. When teachers knew about ME/CFS or had experience with it, they were much more helpful. The study suggests that better communication between schools, doctors, and families, plus more teacher training about ME/CFS, could make school life much better for these young people.

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredMechanistic

Sciatic-Vagal Nerve Stimulation by Electroacupuncture Alleviates Inflammatory Arthritis in Lyme Disease-Susceptible C3H Mice.

Akoolo, Lavoisier, Djokic, Vitomir, Rocha, Sandra C et al.·Frontiers in immunology·2022

This study tested whether electroacupuncture (a needle-based treatment that uses electrical stimulation) could reduce joint inflammation and symptoms in mice with Lyme disease. The researchers found that electroacupuncture reduced inflammation markers and immune cells in the joints, even though it didn't eliminate the Lyme bacteria itself. The anti-inflammatory effects lasted even after treatment stopped, suggesting this approach might help people with long-lasting Lyme disease symptoms.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM requiredMechanistic

Exosome-associated mitochondrial DNA from patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome stimulates human microglia to release IL-1β.

Tsilioni, Irene, Natelson, Benjamin, Theoharides, Theoharis C·The European journal of neuroscience·2022

This study found that after exercise, patients with ME/CFS have more pieces of DNA from their mitochondria (the energy-producing parts of cells) floating in their blood inside tiny particles called exosomes. When researchers tested these exosomes on immune cells in the lab, they triggered the release of IL-1β, a chemical that causes inflammation in the brain. This suggests that exercise might trigger a chain reaction involving these DNA-carrying particles that could contribute to ME/CFS symptoms.

NeuroinflammationImmune SystemPost-Exertional Malaise

E3 PreliminaryGuidelinePEM requiredGuideline

[Recommendation for standardized medical care for children and adolescents with long COVID].

Töpfner, Nicole, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Pädiatrische Infektiologie e. V. (DGPI), Alberer, Martin et al.·Monatsschrift Kinderheilkunde : Organ der Deutschen Gesellschaft fur Kinderheilkunde·2022

This guideline provides doctors with expert recommendations for recognizing and treating long COVID in children and teenagers. It includes screening questions and step-by-step evaluation tools to help identify long COVID cases, as well as guidance on how different medical specialists should work together to care for affected young people. The recommendations are based on the best available evidence, though more research is still needed.

Post-Exertional Malaise

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Serum of Post-COVID-19 Syndrome Patients with or without ME/CFS Differentially Affects Endothelial Cell Function In Vitro.

Epipharyngeal Abrasive Therapy (EAT) Reduces the mRNA Expression of Major Proinflammatory Cytokine IL-6 in Chronic Epipharyngitis.

EBV/HHV-6A dUTPases contribute to myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome pathophysiology by enhancing TFH cell differentiation and extrafollicular activities.

Understanding myalgic encephalomyelitis.

Impaired TRPM3-dependent calcium influx and restoration using Naltrexone in natural killer cells of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome patients.

[Mechanism of acupuncture and moxibustion in treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome from perspective of intestinal flora].

Diagnosis of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome With Partial Least Squares Discriminant Analysis: Relevance of Blood Extracellular Vesicles.

Orthostatic intolerance as a potential contributor to prolonged fatigue and inconsistent performance in elite swimmers.

Stellate ganglion block reduces symptoms of Long COVID: A case series.

Breast implant illness: scientific evidence of its existence.

Dissecting the Molecular Mechanisms Surrounding Post-COVID-19 Syndrome and Neurological Features.

An Unexpected Journey: The Lived Experiences of Patients with Long-Term Cognitive Sequelae After Recovering from COVID-19.

Skeletal muscle alterations in patients with acute Covid-19 and post-acute sequelae of Covid-19.

Perspective: Drawing on Findings From Critical Illness to Explain Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Late-Onset Hypogonadism in a Male Patient with Long COVID Diagnosed by Exclusion of ME/CFS.

Editorial: The Brain Under Fatigue.

The importance of school in the management of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS): issues identified by adolescents and their families.

Sciatic-Vagal Nerve Stimulation by Electroacupuncture Alleviates Inflammatory Arthritis in Lyme Disease-Susceptible C3H Mice.

Exosome-associated mitochondrial DNA from patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome stimulates human microglia to release IL-1β.

[Recommendation for standardized medical care for children and adolescents with long COVID].

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