ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

4361–4380 of 6,163 studies

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM unclearMechanistic

Potential Therapeutic Benefit of Low Dose Naltrexone in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Role of Transient Receptor Potential Melastatin 3 Ion Channels in Pathophysiology and Treatment.

Cabanas, Helene, Muraki, Katsuhiko, Eaton-Fitch, Natalie et al.·Frontiers in immunology·2021

This study investigated whether a low-dose medication called naltrexone (LDN) might help treat ME/CFS by examining how it affects immune cells called NK cells. Researchers found that NK cells from ME/CFS patients taking LDN showed restored activity in a specific ion channel (TRPM3) that had previously been impaired. This suggests LDN may help restore normal immune function in ME/CFS patients, though larger clinical trials are needed to confirm whether it actually improves symptoms.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryCommentaryPEM unclear

ME/CFS: Past, Present and Future.

Weir, William, Speight, Nigel·Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland)·2021

This article reviews the history and current understanding of ME/CFS, arguing that the condition has a biological basis rather than being primarily psychological. The authors emphasize that scientific research, not psychological theories, is the path forward for properly understanding and treating ME/CFS. They highlight how patients have suffered from misunderstandings about their condition's cause.

Diagnostics

E3 PreliminaryDiagnosticPEM not requiredMethods-Paper

The Interoceptive Sensitivity and Attention Questionnaire: Evaluating Aspects of Self-Reported Interoception in Patients With Persistent Somatic Symptoms, Stress-Related Syndromes, and Healthy Controls.

Bogaerts, Katleen, Walentynowicz, Marta, Van Den Houte, Maaike et al.·Psychosomatic medicine·2021

This study tested a new questionnaire called the ISAQ that measures how aware people are of signals from their own body—like heart rate, breathing, or pain—and how much attention they pay to uncomfortable bodily sensations. Researchers compared how people with ME/CFS, fibromyalgia, panic disorder, and other conditions scored on this questionnaire compared to healthy people. They found that people with ME/CFS and fibromyalgia were more sensitive to neutral body signals and paid more attention to unpleasant sensations than healthy controls.

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

Post-COVID-19 syndrome: epidemiology, diagnostic criteria and pathogenic mechanisms involved.

Carod-Artal, F J·Revista de neurologia·2021

Many people who have had COVID-19, even mild cases, don't fully recover and experience long-lasting symptoms for months afterward. This article reviews what we know about post-COVID-19 syndrome, including who gets it, what symptoms they have, and what might be causing it. Common symptoms include fatigue, breathing problems, difficulty concentrating, anxiety, and depression. The exact biological reasons why this happens are still unknown, though experts think abnormal immune and inflammatory responses may play a role.

DiagnosticsCognitive Impairment

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

Benefits of micronutrient supplementation on nutritional status, energy metabolism, and subjective wellbeing.

Maggini, Silvia, Óvári, Veronika, Ferreres Giménez, Inmaculada et al.·Nutricion hospitalaria·2021

Your body needs several vitamins and minerals—like vitamins A, D, E, folate, iron, zinc, and selenium—to make energy in your cells. Many people, even in wealthy countries, don't get enough of these nutrients. Studies show that taking a combination of these micronutrients, sometimes with coenzyme Q10, may help reduce fatigue, improve thinking, and make people feel better overall.

Energy Metabolism

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM unclearObservational

Reversible widespread brain 18F-FDG PET hypometabolism in chronic fatigue syndrome treated by hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

Mairal, E, Barberon, B, Laine, N et al.·European journal of nuclear medicine and molecular imaging·2021

This study used brain imaging scans (PET scans) to measure how much energy the brain was using in people with ME/CFS. The researchers found that ME/CFS patients had abnormally low brain energy use across large areas of the brain. Notably, after patients received hyperbaric oxygen therapy (breathing oxygen in a pressurized chamber), the brain scans improved and showed more normal energy levels, suggesting the brain changes may be reversible.

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM unclearCase-Control

Adolescent and Young Adult ME/CFS After Confirmed or Probable COVID-19.

Petracek, Lindsay S, Suskauer, Stacy J, Vickers, Rebecca F et al.·Frontiers in medicine·2021

This study describes three teenagers and young adults who developed ME/CFS after having COVID-19. All three patients experienced symptoms like dizziness when standing up early in their illness, and by 6 months, all met the clinical criteria for ME/CFS. The researchers noticed several patterns across these patients, including allergies, elevated histamine levels, reduced flexibility, and unusual nerve reflexes—findings that may help identify and treat ME/CFS after COVID-19.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM unclearCase-Control

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Case Report Highlighting Diagnosing and Treatment Challenges and the Possibility of Jarisch-Herxheimer Reactions If High Infectious Loads Are Present.

Straub, Rachel K, Powers, Christopher M·Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland)·2021

This study follows one patient's journey with severe ME/CFS, examining how past infections and health conditions may have contributed to her illness and how various treatments affected her recovery. The case highlights that some treatments can paradoxically make symptoms worse before improvement occurs, especially if someone has high levels of lingering infections. The patient eventually improved enough to return to graduate school, though her experience also shows how serious and disabling ME/CFS can be for some people.

Diagnostics

E3 PreliminaryCommentaryPEM unclear

Insights from myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome may help unravel the pathogenesis of postacute COVID-19 syndrome.

Komaroff, Anthony L, Lipkin, W Ian·Trends in molecular medicine·2021

This article compares myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) with long COVID to see if they might share similar causes. The authors suggest that some people who develop long COVID symptoms—like persistent fatigue, cognitive problems, and pain—may experience similar biological problems to those seen in ME/CFS. Understanding these shared mechanisms could help doctors better treat both conditions.

Energy MetabolismLong COVID Overlap

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Persistent Brainstem Dysfunction in Long-COVID: A Hypothesis.

Yong, Shin Jie·ACS chemical neuroscience·2021

This paper suggests that long-COVID symptoms may be caused by damage to the brainstem, a part of the brain that controls basic functions like breathing, heart rate, and digestion. The authors propose that the coronavirus may directly infect the brainstem or cause inflammation there, and because brain cells heal slowly, this damage could persist long after the initial infection. This theory could help explain why long-COVID patients experience lasting fatigue, breathing problems, and other widespread symptoms.

Neuroinflammation

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredMechanistic

Antioxidant and immunomodulatory properties of Spilanthes oleracea with potential effect in chronic fatigue syndrome infirmity.

Nipate, Sonali S, Tiwari, Anand H·Journal of Ayurveda and integrative medicine·2020

This study tested whether an extract from Spilanthes oleracea (a plant used in traditional medicine) could help relieve fatigue symptoms in mice subjected to chronic stress. The researchers found that the plant extract reduced markers of cellular damage and improved physical performance in stressed mice, suggesting it may work by reducing harmful molecules called oxidative stress in the body.

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM unclearMechanistic

IgG stimulated β2 adrenergic receptor activation is attenuated in patients with ME/CFS.

Hartwig, Jelka, Sotzny, Franziska, Bauer, Sandra et al.·Brain, behavior, & immunity - health·2020

This study examined a specific immune problem in some ME/CFS patients: abnormal antibodies that interfere with a receptor protein called β2 adrenergic receptor, which helps regulate immune response and stress recovery. Researchers found that immune cells (antibodies) from healthy people could activate this receptor and boost immune regulation, but antibodies from ME/CFS patients with elevated levels of these specific autoantibodies could not. This dysfunction in the immune system may help explain why ME/CFS patients experience persistent fatigue and immune dysregulation.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM unclearObservational

What ME/CFS caregivers want you to know.

Ausubel, Bobbi·Work (Reading, Mass.)·2020

This study asked ME/CFS caregivers—people who provide care and support to those with the illness—what they wanted others to understand about their experience. The research collected information about the challenges caregivers face, what they wish people knew about ME/CFS, and how caring for someone with this illness affects their own lives. Understanding caregiver perspectives helps improve support systems and raise awareness about ME/CFS.

E3 PreliminaryDiagnosticPEM requiredMethods-Paper

The Development of a Consistent Europe-Wide Approach to Investigating the Economic Impact of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME/CFS): A Report from the European Network on ME/CFS (EUROMENE).

Pheby, Derek F H, Araja, Diana, Berkis, Uldis et al.·Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland)·2020

This study created a unified European system for measuring how much ME/CFS costs society in terms of healthcare, lost work, and other expenses. The researchers found that ME/CFS places a heavy financial burden on Europe, mostly because patients lose work productivity. However, they discovered that calculating these true costs is very difficult because different countries use different diagnostic criteria and many doctors don't diagnose ME/CFS, leaving many patients uncounted.

Diagnostics

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM unclearCross-Sectional

DNA Methylation and Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Expression Account for Symptoms and Widespread Hyperalgesia in Patients With Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Comorbid Fibromyalgia.

Polli, Andrea, Ghosh, Manosij, Bakusic, Jelena et al.·Arthritis & rheumatology (Hoboken, N.J.)·2020

This study found that people with ME/CFS and fibromyalgia have unusual patterns in how their genes are regulated, specifically involving a molecule called BDNF that affects pain and nerve function. Researchers measured genetic markers and protein levels in blood samples and found that changes in how BDNF genes are 'switched on and off' may explain why patients experience severe fatigue, pain, and widespread body aches.

Pain and Sensitization

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

Determination by ICP-MS and multivariate data analysis of elemental urine excretion profile during the EDTA chelation therapy: A case study.

Robotti, Elisa, Quasso, Fabio, Manfredi, Marcello et al.·Journal of trace elements in medicine and biology : organ of the Society for Minerals and Trace Elements (GMS)·2020

This study looked at one patient with ME/CFS symptoms who may have had heavy metal poisoning. The doctors gave the patient a chelation therapy treatment (a medicine designed to bind to and remove heavy metals from the body) every two weeks for 17 months, and measured how much metal came out in the urine. The study found that most heavy metals were eliminated in the first 24 hours after treatment, but the effect wore off quickly—suggesting more frequent treatments might work better.

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM requiredMechanistic

An Isolated Complex V Inefficiency and Dysregulated Mitochondrial Function in Immortalized Lymphocytes from ME/CFS Patients.

Missailidis, Daniel, Annesley, Sarah J, Allan, Claire Y et al.·International journal of molecular sciences·2020

Researchers studied the energy-producing structures (mitochondria) in blood cells from ME/CFS patients and found a specific problem: the cells have difficulty using a protein complex called Complex V that normally makes ATP, the body's energy currency. To compensate, the cells turn up their other energy-making machinery, which keeps ATP levels normal while resting but may leave the cells exhausted when they need to produce extra energy quickly—similar to running a car engine at maximum capacity just to maintain normal speed.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredMechanistic

An Adrenalectomy Mouse Model Reflecting Clinical Features for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Lee, Jin-Seok, Jeon, Yoo-Jin, Park, Samuel-Young et al.·Biomolecules·2020

Researchers tested three different mouse models to find the best one for studying ME/CFS. They found that removing the adrenal glands (small organs that produce stress hormones) in mice created fatigue and pain symptoms most similar to ME/CFS, while other common models mainly produced depression-like behaviors. The adrenal-removed mice also showed specific brain changes involving inflammation and stress hormone pathways.

Neuroinflammation

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

[Spinach and quinoa - prospective food sources of biologically active substances].

Sidorova, Yu S, Petrov, N A, Shipelin, V A et al.·Voprosy pitaniia·2020

This review examined whether common foods like spinach and quinoa contain natural compounds that might help with chronic fatigue and other health problems. Researchers found that both foods contain substances called phytoecdysteroids and other active compounds that have been shown in animal studies to reduce fatigue, improve memory, and support overall health. The authors suggest these foods could be useful additions to supplements and specialized diets.

Energy Metabolism

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM unclearObservational

Isolation of ultrasmall (filterable) bacteria from patients suffering from ME, and patients and staff of a paediatric hospital.

Ali Alharbi, Sulaiman·Saudi journal of biological sciences·2020

Researchers tested blood samples from 108 ME/CFS patients and found that about 20% contained unusually small bacteria that can pass through very fine filters. These tiny bacteria were also found in samples from children and hospital staff. The study suggests these ultrasmall bacteria may be present in ME/CFS patients, though it's unclear if they cause the illness.

← Previous Next 20 studies →

Or browse by topic

PEM Immune Neuro Metabolic Biomarkers Severe ME Long COVID Cognitive

Evidence Atlas

Evidence browser

Potential Therapeutic Benefit of Low Dose Naltrexone in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Role of Transient Receptor Potential Melastatin 3 Ion Channels in Pathophysiology and Treatment.

ME/CFS: Past, Present and Future.

The Interoceptive Sensitivity and Attention Questionnaire: Evaluating Aspects of Self-Reported Interoception in Patients With Persistent Somatic Symptoms, Stress-Related Syndromes, and Healthy Controls.

Post-COVID-19 syndrome: epidemiology, diagnostic criteria and pathogenic mechanisms involved.

Benefits of micronutrient supplementation on nutritional status, energy metabolism, and subjective wellbeing.

Reversible widespread brain 18F-FDG PET hypometabolism in chronic fatigue syndrome treated by hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

Adolescent and Young Adult ME/CFS After Confirmed or Probable COVID-19.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Case Report Highlighting Diagnosing and Treatment Challenges and the Possibility of Jarisch-Herxheimer Reactions If High Infectious Loads Are Present.

Insights from myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome may help unravel the pathogenesis of postacute COVID-19 syndrome.

Persistent Brainstem Dysfunction in Long-COVID: A Hypothesis.

Antioxidant and immunomodulatory properties of Spilanthes oleracea with potential effect in chronic fatigue syndrome infirmity.

IgG stimulated β2 adrenergic receptor activation is attenuated in patients with ME/CFS.

What ME/CFS caregivers want you to know.

The Development of a Consistent Europe-Wide Approach to Investigating the Economic Impact of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME/CFS): A Report from the European Network on ME/CFS (EUROMENE).

DNA Methylation and Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Expression Account for Symptoms and Widespread Hyperalgesia in Patients With Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Comorbid Fibromyalgia.

Determination by ICP-MS and multivariate data analysis of elemental urine excretion profile during the EDTA chelation therapy: A case study.

An Isolated Complex V Inefficiency and Dysregulated Mitochondrial Function in Immortalized Lymphocytes from ME/CFS Patients.

An Adrenalectomy Mouse Model Reflecting Clinical Features for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

[Spinach and quinoa - prospective food sources of biologically active substances].

Isolation of ultrasmall (filterable) bacteria from patients suffering from ME, and patients and staff of a paediatric hospital.

Curated Collections

Neuroinflammation Evidence

Metabolism & Mitochondria

Biomarkers

PEM-Specific Research