ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

4241–4260 of 6,163 studies

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Dyspnea in Post-COVID Syndrome following Mild Acute COVID-19 Infections: Potential Causes and Consequences for a Therapeutic Approach.

Wirth, Klaus J, Scheibenbogen, Carmen·Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania)·2022

Many people with post-COVID syndrome experience shortness of breath and chest pain, even though their lungs and heart are typically healthy. This study proposes that the problem may stem from overbreathing (hyperventilation) during exercise, combined with problems in how the body regulates breathing and uses energy in muscles. The authors suggest that overbreathing creates a harmful cascade inside cells—disrupting sodium and calcium balance—which worsens fatigue and breathing difficulties. Preventing overbreathing might be a way to help these patients recover.

Energy MetabolismPost-Exertional Malaise

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM not required

Could Modafinil Be an Option in the Treatment of Sexual Dysfunctions Due to Antidepressant Use in Women? Two Case Reports.

Yilbaş, Barış·Turk psikiyatri dergisi = Turkish journal of psychiatry·2022

Some antidepressant medications can cause sexual side effects like loss of desire and difficulty with arousal. This report describes two women whose sexual problems improved when modafinil (a medication used for sleep disorders and fatigue) was added to their antidepressant treatment. One woman saw significant improvement at 100 mg daily, while the other needed 200 mg daily to see meaningful improvement.

Sleep

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 unclearReview-Narrative

The Role of Kynurenine Pathway and NAD+ Metabolism in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Dehhaghi, Mona, Panahi, Hamed Kazemi Shariat, Kavyani, Bahar et al.·Aging and disease·2022

This review examines how tryptophan, an amino acid we get from food, is processed differently in people with ME/CFS. The body normally converts tryptophan into important substances like serotonin (which affects mood) and NAD+, an energy molecule. The authors propose that this conversion process may become overactive in ME/CFS, depleting NAD+ and making fatigue worse. They suggest that NAD+ supplements might help reduce fatigue and improve quality of life.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

[Fatigue Doesn't Always have to be caused by SARS-CoV-2: Case Report].

Howanietz, Helmuth, Graf, Ulrike, Kainz, Theresa·Padiatrie und Padologie·2022

This case report describes a 17-year-old girl who experienced severe fatigue caused by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection, commonly known as infectious mononucleosis. The authors highlight that fatigue in young people can come from many different causes, not just COVID-19, and that it's important to identify the correct cause. Notably, about 13.5% of people who have EBV infection go on to develop ME/CFS, making proper diagnosis essential.

Diagnostics

E3 PreliminaryPEM unclear

Understanding Patient-Provider Interaction, Treatment Acceptance, and Outcomes in Medically Unexplained Symptoms.

Bellman, Val, Zolnikov, Tara Rava·Cureus·2022

This study looked at how people with medically unexplained symptoms (MUS)—long-lasting health problems that doctors cannot identify through standard tests—experience their illness and interact with healthcare providers. Researchers interviewed patients to understand their daily struggles, frustrations with the medical system, and how healthcare experiences sometimes made things worse. The study found that patients often feel dismissed, misunderstood, and disabled by their conditions, and that better communication and training for doctors could help improve care.

Diagnostics

E3 PreliminaryCommentaryPEM requiredEditorial

[Post-COVID syndrome with fatigue and exercise intolerance: myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome].

Renz-Polster, Herbert, Scheibenbogen, Carmen·Innere Medizin (Heidelberg, Germany)·2022

This article explains that ME/CFS is a serious neurological and immune system disease, often triggered by infections like COVID-19, characterized by extreme fatigue lasting at least 6 months and a unique symptom called post-exertional malaise (PEM)—where even mild activity causes symptoms to worsen hours or days later. The authors stress that ME/CFS is a distinct medical condition that should not be confused with ordinary tiredness, and while there is no cure yet, treatment focuses on managing symptoms, addressing related circulation problems, and helping patients conserve energy through pacing.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

At the Root of 3 "Long" Diseases: Persistent Antigens Inflicting Chronic Damage on the Brain and Other Organs in Gulf War Illness, Long-COVID-19, and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

James, Lisa M, Georgopoulos, Apostolos P·Neuroscience insights·2022

This review explores why some people develop long-lasting illnesses after exposure to viruses or bacteria, while others recover normally. The researchers propose that certain infections may persist in the body longer in people with specific immune system markers (HLA types), potentially causing ongoing damage to the brain and other organs. They suggest this mechanism might explain symptoms seen in ME/CFS, long-COVID, and Gulf War Illness.

NeuroinflammationImmune 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 PreliminaryMechanismPEM unclearMechanistic

Bioinformatics and systems biology approach to identify the pathogenetic link of Long COVID and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Lv, Yongbiao, Zhang, Tian, Cai, Junxiang et al.·Frontiers in immunology·2022

Researchers compared the genes involved in Long COVID (lasting symptoms after COVID-19 infection) and ME/CFS to see if they share common biological causes. They found 9 genes that appear in both conditions and identified five key proteins that may be driving the shared symptoms. The study suggests these conditions may have overlapping mechanisms, pointing toward potential new treatments worth testing in future research.

Immune System

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 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

The autonomic aspects of the post-COVID19 syndrome.

Dotan, Arad, David, Paula, Arnheim, Dana et al.·Autoimmunity reviews·2022

After COVID-19 infection, many people experience long-lasting symptoms similar to ME/CFS, including fatigue, brain fog, and mood problems. Recent research suggests the immune system may attack nerve cells that control heart rate, blood pressure, and other automatic body functions, rather than just the virus itself. The authors propose that exercise therapy might be safer and more helpful than immunosuppressive drugs for treating these lingering post-COVID symptoms.

Immune SystemPost-Exertional Malaise

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredMechanistic

Metabolomics study of the effect of Danggui Buxue Tang on rats with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Miao, Xiaoyao, Li, Shuo, Xiao, Bingkun et al.·Biomedical chromatography : BMC·2022

Researchers tested whether a traditional Chinese medicine formula called Danggui Buxue Tang (DBT) could help rats with chronic fatigue syndrome caused by stress and food restriction. After 4 weeks of treatment, rats given DBT showed better energy levels, reduced fatigue markers in their blood, and improved physical performance compared to untreated rats with CFS.

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM unclearCase-Control

An Exercise Prescription as a Novel Management Strategy for Treatment of Long COVID.

Rudofker, Eric W, Parker, Hugh, Cornwell, William K·JACC. Case reports·2022

This study describes a small group of long COVID patients whose symptoms improved or went away when they exercised regularly. The researchers suggest that exercise might be a helpful treatment strategy for long COVID, since the condition may partly involve the heart and muscles becoming deconditioned (weak from lack of use).

Interventions

E3 PreliminaryDiagnosticPEM unclearMethods-Paper

Ensuring the Voice of the Very Severely Affected Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Patient Is Heard in Research-A Research Model.

Baxter, Helen·Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland)·2022

Most ME/CFS research has only included patients well enough to visit clinics, which means the most severely affected patients—those who are housebound or bedbound—have been left out. This study showed that very severely affected patients can participate in research if researchers make practical adjustments, like allowing phone or text responses instead of requiring in-person visits. By reaching out directly to these patients, researchers were able to gather their important experiences and insights.

Severe ME

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM unclearCross-Sectional

The Occurrence of Hyperactivated Platelets and Fibrinaloid Microclots in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS).

Nunes, Jean M, Kruger, Arneaux, Proal, Amy et al.·Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)·2022

This study found that people with ME/CFS have blood clotting abnormalities similar to those seen in Long COVID. Researchers discovered that ME/CFS patients have overactive platelets (blood cells involved in clotting) and tiny clots made of a protein called fibrin scattered throughout their blood plasma. These microscopic clots may block small blood vessels and reduce oxygen delivery to tissues, potentially explaining fatigue and other ME/CFS symptoms.

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM unclearObservational

Does Coenzyme Q10 Plus Selenium Supplementation Ameliorate Clinical Outcomes by Modulating Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in Individuals with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?

Castro-Marrero, Jesús, Domingo, Joan Carles, Cordobilla, Begoña et al.·Antioxidants & redox signaling·2022

This study tested whether taking Coenzyme Q10 and selenium supplements together could help ME/CFS patients feel better. Twenty-seven patients took these supplements daily for 8 weeks, and researchers measured their fatigue, quality of life, sleep, and blood markers related to stress and inflammation. The supplements improved overall fatigue and quality of life, and blood tests showed reduced oxidative stress and inflammation, though sleep did not improve.

Energy Metabolism

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM requiredReview-Narrative

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS): An Overview.

Deumer, Undine-Sophie, Varesi, Angelica, Floris, Valentina et al.·Journal of clinical medicine·2021

ME/CFS is a long-term illness that causes extreme tiredness, worsening of symptoms after activity, and difficulty thinking clearly. Patients experience these symptoms very differently from one another, and currently there are no blood tests or physical exams that can definitively diagnose the condition. This review examines several potential causes, including past infections, genetic factors, hormone imbalances, and changes in gut bacteria, while exploring whether a simple blood test might someday help diagnose ME/CFS.

BiomarkersPost-Exertional Malaise

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Dyspnea in Post-COVID Syndrome following Mild Acute COVID-19 Infections: Potential Causes and Consequences for a Therapeutic Approach.

Could Modafinil Be an Option in the Treatment of Sexual Dysfunctions Due to Antidepressant Use in Women? Two Case Reports.

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.

The Role of Kynurenine Pathway and NAD+ Metabolism in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

[Fatigue Doesn't Always have to be caused by SARS-CoV-2: Case Report].

Understanding Patient-Provider Interaction, Treatment Acceptance, and Outcomes in Medically Unexplained Symptoms.

[Post-COVID syndrome with fatigue and exercise intolerance: myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome].

At the Root of 3 "Long" Diseases: Persistent Antigens Inflicting Chronic Damage on the Brain and Other Organs in Gulf War Illness, Long-COVID-19, and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

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

Bioinformatics and systems biology approach to identify the pathogenetic link of Long COVID and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

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

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

The autonomic aspects of the post-COVID19 syndrome.

Metabolomics study of the effect of Danggui Buxue Tang on rats with chronic fatigue syndrome.

An Exercise Prescription as a Novel Management Strategy for Treatment of Long COVID.

Ensuring the Voice of the Very Severely Affected Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Patient Is Heard in Research-A Research Model.

The Occurrence of Hyperactivated Platelets and Fibrinaloid Microclots in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS).

Does Coenzyme Q10 Plus Selenium Supplementation Ameliorate Clinical Outcomes by Modulating Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in Individuals with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS): An Overview.

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