ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

4281–4300 of 6,209 studies

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM requiredMechanistic

Differential Effects of Exercise on fMRI of the Midbrain Ascending Arousal Network Nuclei in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) and Gulf War Illness (GWI) in a Model of Postexertional Malaise (PEM).

Baraniuk, James N, Amar, Alison, Pepermitwala, Haris et al.·Brain sciences·2022

This study used brain imaging to examine how exercise affects people with ME/CFS and Gulf War Illness. Researchers found that after exercise, the brains of ME/CFS patients showed increased activity in areas that control alertness, mood, pain, and sleep, while Gulf War Illness patients showed the opposite pattern (decreased activity). These findings suggest that ME/CFS and Gulf War Illness affect the brain differently, which may explain why exercise can make symptoms worse in ME/CFS patients.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

"I Just Want to Feel Safe Going to a Doctor": Experiences of Female Patients with Chronic Conditions in Australia.

Merone, Lea, Tsey, Komla, Russell, Darren et al.·Women's health reports (New Rochelle, N.Y.)·2022

This study interviewed 20 Australian women with various chronic conditions, including chronic fatigue syndrome, to understand their experiences with doctors and the healthcare system. The women reported that their pain and exhaustion were often dismissed or not taken seriously, which created fear and trauma around seeking medical care. The researchers found that women with chronic illnesses need doctors who are more knowledgeable, understanding, and empathetic about their conditions.

Diagnostics

E3 PreliminaryDiagnosticPEM not requiredMethods-Paper

Long COVID Citizen Scientists: Developing a Needs-Based Research Agenda by Persons Affected by Long COVID.

Ziegler, Sarah, Raineri, Alessia, Nittas, Vasileios et al.·The patient·2022

This study asked people with Long COVID what research questions matter most to them. Researchers created a group of 28 people with Long COVID and ME/CFS, plus a larger working group of over 240 people, who together identified 68 research questions and ranked which ones were most important. The top five priorities were: finding better treatments and rehabilitation, ensuring continuous care between doctors, improving access to healthcare, training healthcare providers to understand Long COVID, and studying Long COVID in children and teens.

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Muscle sodium content in patients with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Petter, Elisabeth, Scheibenbogen, Carmen, Linz, Peter et al.·Journal of translational medicine·2022

Researchers used a special type of MRI scan to measure sodium levels in the leg muscles of ME/CFS patients and healthy people. They found that ME/CFS patients had higher sodium buildup in their muscles both at rest and after exercise, and this sodium overload was linked to weaker grip strength. This suggests that muscles in ME/CFS may not be handling sodium properly, which could contribute to fatigue and muscle pain.

E3 PreliminaryDiagnosticPEM unclearMethods-Paper

Identification of transient receptor potential melastatin 3 proteotypic peptides employing an efficient membrane protein extraction method for natural killer cells.

Magawa, Chandi T, Eaton-Fitch, Natalie, Balinas, Cassandra et al.·Frontiers in physiology·2022

Researchers developed a better way to extract and study proteins from immune cells called natural killer cells in ME/CFS patients. They focused on a specific protein channel called TRPM3, which may play a role in ME/CFS. This study shows they can now reliably detect this protein, which opens the door for future research to understand how it might be different in ME/CFS.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredMechanistic

Differential Impacts of HHV-6A versus HHV-6B Infection in Differentiated Human Neural Stem Cells.

Bahramian, Elham, Furr, Mercede, Wu, Jerry T et al.·Frontiers in immunology·2022

This study examined how two closely related viruses called HHV-6A and HHV-6B infect different types of nerve cells in the brain. Researchers found that both viruses can infect certain brain cells that use glutamate and dopamine (chemical messengers), but neither virus infected a third type of brain cell that uses GABA. Importantly, HHV-6A appeared to cause more damage to infected cells than HHV-6B, suggesting it may be more harmful to nerve tissue.

Neuroinflammation

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM requiredReview-Narrative

The Pathobiology of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: The Case for Neuroglial Failure.

Renz-Polster, Herbert, Tremblay, Marie-Eve, Bienzle, Dorothee et al.·Frontiers in cellular neuroscience·2022

This study suggests that ME/CFS might be caused by problems with certain support cells in the brain called glia, which help protect and maintain nerve cells. The researchers reviewed existing research on two key ME/CFS symptoms—feeling worse after activity and reduced blood flow to the brain—and found evidence that brain cell dysfunction could explain many of the different problems seen in ME/CFS.

NeuroinflammationPost-Exertional Malaise

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

Reducing fatigue-related symptoms in Long COVID-19: a preliminary report of a lymphatic drainage intervention.

Heald, Adrian, Perrin, Raymond, Walther, Andreas et al.·Cardiovascular endocrinology & metabolism·2022

This small study looked at whether a hands-on technique called the Perrin technique—involving gentle massage and movement exercises—could help reduce fatigue in people with Long COVID. Twenty patients received weekly treatment sessions and did daily self-massage at home. On average, both men and women reported about 50% improvement in their fatigue-related symptoms after treatment. While these early results are encouraging, the study is too small to prove this treatment works for everyone.

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM unclearMechanistic

Tissue specific signature of HHV-6 infection in ME/CFS.

Kasimir, Francesca, Toomey, Danny, Liu, Zheng et al.·Frontiers in molecular biosciences·2022

This study looked for signs of active HHV-6 virus (a common herpesvirus) in brain and spinal cord tissue from ME/CFS patients after death, compared to people without ME/CFS. Using a special detection technique, researchers found markers of active viral infection in the nervous tissue of ME/CFS patients but not in the control group. This suggests that HHV-6 may be reactivating specifically in the brain and nervous system in ME/CFS, rather than in the blood where it's usually tested.

Neuroinflammation

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Chronic post-COVID-19 syndrome and chronic fatigue syndrome: Is there a role for extracorporeal apheresis?

Bornstein, Stefan R, Voit-Bak, Karin, Donate, Timo et al.·Molecular psychiatry·2022

Some people who had COVID-19 continue to experience fatigue and breathing problems long after recovering from the infection, a condition called long-COVID. This pattern of ongoing symptoms looks similar to ME/CFS, another condition that causes persistent fatigue. Researchers found that both conditions may involve the body producing antibodies (immune proteins) that attack certain nerve receptors. A treatment called extracorporeal apheresis, which filters blood to remove these harmful antibodies, showed promise in improving symptoms in ME/CFS patients and might also help those with long-COVID.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryGuidelinePEM unclearGuideline

Postacute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 Infection-Lessons Learned From a Coordinated Health System Response.

Ganesh, Ravindra, Vanichkachorn, Greg S, Munipalli, Bala et al.·Mayo Clinic proceedings. Innovations, quality & outcomes·2022

This study describes how Mayo Clinic, a large healthcare system across five states, created a coordinated plan to help patients recover from long-term COVID-19 symptoms. Doctors from many different specialties worked together to develop consistent guidelines for evaluating and treating these patients. The system includes specialized appointment forms, sample collection for research, and dedicated treatment programs to provide better care.

Long COVID Overlap

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Inflammation From Peripheral Organs to the Brain: How Does Systemic Inflammation Cause Neuroinflammation?

Sun, Yuanjie, Koyama, Yoshihisa, Shimada, Shoichi·Frontiers in aging neuroscience·2022

This review explores how inflammation in the body's organs—like the gut, lungs, or joints—can trigger inflammation in the brain. The authors describe several pathways by which this happens, including damage to the protective barrier around the brain, activation of immune cells in the brain, and communication through nerves connecting organs to the brain. ME/CFS is highlighted as one disease where this peripheral-to-brain inflammation mechanism may be important.

NeuroinflammationImmune System

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Mitochondria as the Essence of Yang Qi in the Human Body.

Luo, Junjie, Shen, Shiwei, Xia, Jingjing et al.·Phenomics (Cham, Switzerland)·2022

This article explores whether the ancient Chinese medicine concept of 'Yang Qi' (vital energy) maps onto modern understanding of mitochondria—the energy-producing structures in our cells. The authors argue that both concepts describe something essential to human health and that weakness in either leads to illness, including chronic fatigue syndrome, poor sleep, cognitive decline, and metabolic problems.

Energy Metabolism

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

Assessment of Hearing and Vestibular Functions in a Post-COVID-19 Patient: A Clinical Case Study.

Andreeva, Irina Germanovna, Gvozdeva, Alisa, Pimenova, Vera et al.·Diagnostics (Basel, Switzerland)·2022

This study examined one patient who had both long COVID and chronic fatigue syndrome. Doctors tested their hearing and balance systems, and found problems with how the brain processes sounds—particularly difficulty with rapid sound changes and understanding speech. Interestingly, the nerve fibers in the skin and eyes were normal, suggesting the problem is in how the brain handles auditory information rather than in damaged nerves. The researchers suggest that this auditory processing difficulty may add extra strain to the nervous system and worsen fatigue during daily activities.

Cognitive Impairment

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM unclearCase-Control

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: First Described Complication after Gam-COVID-Vac Vaccine.

Manysheva, Ksenia, Sherman, Mikhail, Zhukova, Natalia et al.·Psychiatria Danubina·2022

This report describes one case of a 25-year-old woman who developed ME/CFS symptoms about 10 days after receiving the Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine. She experienced severe fatigue, muscle pain, and difficulty moving. This is the first documented case linking ME/CFS to this particular vaccine, though it remains unclear whether the vaccine caused the condition or if it occurred by coincidence.

Immune SystemPost-Exertional Malaise

E3 PreliminaryPEM unclear

Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome post coronavirus disease 2019.

Kusama, Yoshiki, Fukui, Sadahiro, Maruyama, Makiko et al.·Pediatrics international : official journal of the Japan Pediatric Society·2022

This study examines whether ME/CFS can develop in children after they have COVID-19. The researchers reviewed existing information about how post-COVID conditions might lead to ME/CFS symptoms in young patients. This is important because understanding the link between COVID-19 and ME/CFS could help doctors recognize and support children who develop this condition after a viral infection.

Long COVID Overlap

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 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 not requiredMechanistic

[Effect of herbal cake-separated moxibustion on behavioral stress reactions and blood lactic acid level and muscular AMPK/PGC-1α signaling in rats with chronic fatigue syndrome].

Xu, Xiao-Shan, Ma, Wei, Xiong, Luo-Jie et al.·Zhen ci yan jiu = Acupuncture research·2022

Researchers tested a traditional Chinese medicine treatment called herbal cake-separated moxibustion on rats with chronic fatigue syndrome to see if it could improve fatigue and stress responses. The treatment appeared to reduce physical exhaustion markers in the blood (lactic acid) and activate cellular energy-producing pathways in muscles, similar to effects seen with oral herbal medicine.

Energy Metabolism

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

Recovering from chronic fatigue syndrome as an intra-active process.

Groven, Karen Synne, Dahl-Michelsen, Tone·Health care for women international·2022

This study examined the story of one woman who recovered from ME/CFS to understand how healing from this illness happens. Instead of debating whether ME/CFS is 'purely physical' or 'purely psychological,' the researchers looked at how many different factors—including both biological and non-biological elements—worked together in her recovery. The study suggests that recovery involves the interaction of many different things in a person's life, not just one single cause.

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Evidence browser

Differential Effects of Exercise on fMRI of the Midbrain Ascending Arousal Network Nuclei in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) and Gulf War Illness (GWI) in a Model of Postexertional Malaise (PEM).

"I Just Want to Feel Safe Going to a Doctor": Experiences of Female Patients with Chronic Conditions in Australia.

Long COVID Citizen Scientists: Developing a Needs-Based Research Agenda by Persons Affected by Long COVID.

Muscle sodium content in patients with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Identification of transient receptor potential melastatin 3 proteotypic peptides employing an efficient membrane protein extraction method for natural killer cells.

Differential Impacts of HHV-6A versus HHV-6B Infection in Differentiated Human Neural Stem Cells.

The Pathobiology of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: The Case for Neuroglial Failure.

Reducing fatigue-related symptoms in Long COVID-19: a preliminary report of a lymphatic drainage intervention.

Tissue specific signature of HHV-6 infection in ME/CFS.

Chronic post-COVID-19 syndrome and chronic fatigue syndrome: Is there a role for extracorporeal apheresis?

Postacute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 Infection-Lessons Learned From a Coordinated Health System Response.

Inflammation From Peripheral Organs to the Brain: How Does Systemic Inflammation Cause Neuroinflammation?

Mitochondria as the Essence of Yang Qi in the Human Body.

Assessment of Hearing and Vestibular Functions in a Post-COVID-19 Patient: A Clinical Case Study.

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: First Described Complication after Gam-COVID-Vac Vaccine.

Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome post coronavirus disease 2019.

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

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

[Effect of herbal cake-separated moxibustion on behavioral stress reactions and blood lactic acid level and muscular AMPK/PGC-1α signaling in rats with chronic fatigue syndrome].

Recovering from chronic fatigue syndrome as an intra-active process.

Curated Collections

Neuroinflammation Evidence

Metabolism & Mitochondria

Biomarkers

PEM-Specific Research