ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

4541–4560 of 6,163 studies

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Stress, inflammation and natural treatments.

Theoharides, T C, Kavalioti, M·Journal of biological regulators and homeostatic agents·2018

This study explores how stress and inflammation work together to cause several conditions including ME/CFS, fibromyalgia, and others. The researchers found that immune cells called mast cells and brain cells called microglia may communicate in ways that trigger inflammation during stress. They suggest that a natural supplement combining luteolin and Ashwagandha might help reduce this inflammation and benefit patients with these conditions.

NeuroinflammationImmune System

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

A Molecular Neurobiological Approach to Understanding the Aetiology of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis or Systemic Exertion Intolerance Disease) with Treatment Implications.

Monro, Jean A, Puri, Basant K·Molecular neurobiology·2018

This paper argues that ME/CFS is caused by biological problems in the brain and body rather than primarily psychological factors. The authors reviewed evidence showing that ME/CFS involves issues with immune chemicals, infections, brain barrier function, and how cells use energy. They suggest that treatments targeting these biological problems—such as supplements, antivirals, and immune therapies—should be studied instead of or alongside psychological approaches.

E3 PreliminaryGuidelinePEM unclearGuideline

Dutch Health Council Advisory Report on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Taking the Wrong Turn.

Twisk, Frank·Diagnostics (Basel, Switzerland)·2018

The Dutch Health Council released an official report recognizing ME/CFS as a serious, multi-system disease rather than primarily a psychological condition. The report recommends establishing specialized medical centers, training doctors better about ME/CFS, and improving how disability benefits are assessed for patients. However, the report's new definition of ME/CFS may create unintended problems for future research and patient care.

Diagnostics

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM unclearObservational

[Neuroinflammation in the Brain of Patients with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome].

Nakatomi, Yasuhito, Kuratsune, Hirohiko, Watanabe, Yasuyoshi·Brain and nerve = Shinkei kenkyu no shinpo·2018

Researchers used a special imaging scan called PET to look at the brains of people with ME/CFS and found signs of inflammation (immune system activation) throughout several brain regions. This inflammation was connected to how severe patients' symptoms were, including problems with thinking and memory, as well as widespread pain. This discovery suggests that ME/CFS involves measurable changes in the brain that could eventually lead to better ways to diagnose and treat the condition.

NeuroinflammationBiomarkers

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM requiredReview-Narrative

Infection Elicited Autoimmunity and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: An Explanatory Model.

Blomberg, Jonas, Gottfries, Carl-Gerhard, Elfaitouri, Amal et al.·Frontiers in immunology·2018

This study proposes that ME/CFS may develop when a person's immune system mistakenly attacks their own body after an infection, particularly affecting energy production in muscles and the brain. The researchers suggest that some people may have a genetic tendency to develop these harmful immune responses, especially when their gut bacteria are out of balance. When exposed to a triggering infection, the immune system can begin attacking proteins involved in energy metabolism and nerve function, leading to the exhaustion and post-exertion symptoms that characterize ME/CFS.

Immune SystemPost-Exertional Malaise

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredMechanistic

[Electroacupuncture of "Zusanli" (ST 36) Raises Muscular Force by Adjusting AMPK/PGC-1 α Signaling in Rats with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome].

Dong, Jia-Zi, Wei, Yun-Tao, Xu, Huan-Yu et al.·Zhen ci yan jiu = Acupuncture research·2018

This study tested whether acupuncture at a specific point (ST 36) could improve muscle weakness in rats with a chronic fatigue condition. Researchers found that the treatment increased muscle strength and improved how the rats' muscles produce energy by activating protective cellular pathways. The results suggest acupuncture may help muscle cells work more efficiently and reduce damage from fatigue.

Energy Metabolism

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredMechanistic

Effect of Coelogyne cristata Lindley in alleviation of chronic fatigue syndrome in aged Wistar rats.

Mitra, Achintya, Sur, Tapas Kumar, Upadhyay, Sachhidananda et al.·Journal of Ayurveda and integrative medicine·2018

Researchers tested an orchid extract called Coelogyne cristata on aging rats that had been made fatigued through repeated forced swimming. The extract improved the rats' movement, reduced depression-like and anxiety-like behaviors, and restored protective antioxidant levels in their brains, performing similarly to ginseng, a known stress-relief supplement.

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Functional brain connectivity of remembered fatigue or happiness in healthy adults: Use of arterial spin labeling.

Boissoneault, Jeff, Sevel, Landrew, Robinson, Michael E et al.·Journal of clinical and experimental neuropsychology·2018

Researchers used brain scans to study what happens in the brain when healthy people remember feeling tired versus happy. They found that fatigue activated different brain regions than happiness did, particularly areas involved in vision and a structure called the globus pallidum. This helps scientists understand the brain basis of fatigue without the complications of studying people who have chronic fatigue syndrome with other medical conditions.

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

On chronic fatigue syndrome and nosological categories.

Sharif, Kassem, Watad, Abdulla, Bragazzi, Nicola Luigi et al.·Clinical rheumatology·2018

This paper reviews the history of ME/CFS and explores whether it might be related to autoimmune diseases—conditions where the immune system mistakenly attacks the body. The authors discuss how ME/CFS has been called many different names over the past 300 years and how its symptoms overlap with other conditions like POTS and Sjögren's syndrome. They suggest that ME/CFS might be an early stage of an autoimmune disease or might share underlying causes with autoimmune conditions.

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredMechanistic

Fatigue Is Associated With Altered Monitoring and Preparation of Physical Effort in Patients With Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

van der Schaaf, Marieke E, Roelofs, Karin, de Lange, Floris P et al.·Biological psychiatry. Cognitive neuroscience and neuroimaging·2018

This study used brain imaging to understand why people with ME/CFS feel so fatigued and struggle with physical effort. Researchers asked patients and healthy people to squeeze a hand device at different force levels and give them feedback on their performance. People with ME/CFS were more likely to use less effort after feedback, especially at higher effort levels, and this related to lower activity in a brain region involved in decision-making and planning.

E3 PreliminaryPEM not requiredRegistry-Resource

The autoimmune/inflammatory syndrome induced by adjuvants (ASIA)/Shoenfeld's syndrome: descriptive analysis of 300 patients from the international ASIA syndrome registry.

Watad, Abdulla, Quaresma, Mariana, Bragazzi, Nicola Luigi et al.·Clinical rheumatology·2018

This study examined 300 patients who developed autoimmune diseases after exposure to adjuvants (immune-stimulating substances in vaccines and other products). The most common symptoms were joint pain, muscle pain, and chronic fatigue, and most patients developed another autoimmune condition within about 17 months of exposure. The researchers found that different adjuvants caused slightly different patterns of illness.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

HPV vaccination syndrome: A clinical mirage, or a new tragic fibromyalgia model.

Martínez-Lavín, Manuel·Reumatologia clinica·2018

Some people have reported developing chronic pain and autonomic symptoms (problems with heart rate, blood pressure, and sweating) after receiving the HPV vaccine. This article reviews whether this connection is real and suggests that if it exists, these cases might share similarities with fibromyalgia—a condition involving widespread pain and nervous system dysfunction. The authors propose that understanding fibromyalgia's mechanisms could help diagnose and treat patients who develop symptoms after HPV vaccination.

Pain and SensitizationAutonomic Nervous System

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

A Comparison of Neuroimaging Abnormalities in Multiple Sclerosis, Major Depression and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis): is There a Common Cause?

Morris, Gerwyn, Berk, Michael, Puri, Basant K·Molecular neurobiology·2018

This review compared brain imaging findings across three conditions—multiple sclerosis, depression, and ME/CFS—looking for similarities that might suggest a common underlying cause. The researchers found that all three conditions show similar patterns of brain abnormalities, including problems with blood flow to the brain and changes in brain structure. They suggest that inflammation and immune cell dysfunction in the brain may explain why patients with these different diagnoses have comparable brain imaging problems.

Neuroinflammation

E3 PreliminaryDiagnosticPEM not requiredMethods-Paper

Causality on longitudinal data: Stable specification search in constrained structural equation modeling.

Rahmadi, Ridho, Groot, Perry, van Rijn, Marieke Hc et al.·Statistical methods in medical research·2018

This study developed a new statistical method for finding cause-and-effect relationships in long-term health data, even when sample sizes are small. The researchers tested their method on data from people with chronic fatigue syndrome, Alzheimer's disease, and chronic kidney disease, and found it could identify stable patterns of how different health factors influence each other over time.

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM unclearMechanistic

Therapeutic Effect and Metabolic Mechanism of A Selenium-Polysaccharide from Ziyang Green Tea on Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Shao, Changzhuan, Song, Jing, Zhao, Shanguang et al.·Polymers·2018

Researchers tested whether a compound called selenium-polysaccharide (Se-TP) from a Chinese green tea called Ziyang could help rats with fatigue similar to ME/CFS. They found that the treatment improved certain markers in the rats' blood and urine, suggesting it may work by affecting how the body makes and uses steroid hormones and processes amino acids.

Energy Metabolism

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM unclearCase-Control

[Comparison of differential metabolites in urine of the middle school students with chronic fatigue syndrome before and after exercise].

Chi, Ai-Ping, Wang, Zi-Nan, Shi, Bing et al.·Zhongguo ying yong sheng li xue za zhi = Zhongguo yingyong shenglixue zazhi = Chinese journal of applied physiology·2018

This study looked at chemicals in the urine of teenagers with ME/CFS before and after exercise to understand how their bodies process energy differently. Researchers found that people with ME/CFS had abnormal levels of several metabolites (chemical byproducts), and these changes got worse after exercise, suggesting their bodies struggle to recover from physical activity.

Energy MetabolismPost-Exertional Malaise

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

Severe eosinophilic colitis caused by neuropathic agents in a patient with chronic fatigue syndrome and functional abdominal pain: case report and review of the literature.

Fragkos, Konstantinos C, Barragry, John, Fernando, Charisma Shahi et al.·Zeitschrift fur Gastroenterologie·2018

This case report describes one young woman with ME/CFS and chronic pain who developed severe inflammation in her colon (eosinophilic colitis) after taking two common pain medications—gabapentin and pregabalin. Her symptoms improved when she stopped the medications and received steroid treatment. This is an extremely rare side effect, but doctors should be aware of it if ME/CFS patients taking these drugs develop abdominal pain, diarrhea, and blood cell changes.

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

Glial Activation and Expression of the Serotonin Transporter in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Noda, Mami, Ifuku, Masataka, Hossain, Md Shamim et al.·Frontiers in psychiatry·2018

This review examines how brain inflammation might cause ME/CFS symptoms. When the body fights off a viral infection, special immune cells in the brain called microglia and astrocytes can become overactive and trigger a chain of events that reduces serotonin levels—a chemical important for mood and energy. Understanding this pathway could help researchers develop new treatments for ME/CFS.

Neuroinflammation

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Tiredness, Fatigue, and Exhaustion as Perceived by Recreational Marathon Runners.

Olson, Karin, Zimka, Oksana, Pasiorowski, Ashley et al.·Qualitative health research·2018

Researchers interviewed 13 recreational marathon runners to understand how they experience and describe tiredness and fatigue. The runners shared strategies that help them manage exhaustion, including taking planned recovery breaks after intense exercise, using mental distraction techniques, and relying on support from others. The researchers suggest these coping strategies might also be helpful for people with medical conditions that cause severe fatigue.

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Aluminum in vaccines: Does it create a safety problem?

Principi, Nicola, Esposito, Susanna·Vaccine·2018

This review examined whether aluminum in vaccines could cause serious health problems, particularly in children. The researchers looked at existing research on aluminum's effects on the nervous system and found no clear evidence that aluminum in vaccines causes brain damage. However, they noted that a possible link between certain aluminum-containing vaccines and two conditions—macrophagic myofascitis and ME/CFS—needs further investigation before firm conclusions can be made.

Immune System

← Previous Next 20 studies →

Or browse by topic

PEM Immune Neuro Metabolic Biomarkers Severe ME Long COVID Cognitive

Evidence Atlas

Evidence browser

Stress, inflammation and natural treatments.

A Molecular Neurobiological Approach to Understanding the Aetiology of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis or Systemic Exertion Intolerance Disease) with Treatment Implications.

Dutch Health Council Advisory Report on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Taking the Wrong Turn.

[Neuroinflammation in the Brain of Patients with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome].

Infection Elicited Autoimmunity and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: An Explanatory Model.

[Electroacupuncture of "Zusanli" (ST 36) Raises Muscular Force by Adjusting AMPK/PGC-1 α Signaling in Rats with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome].

Effect of Coelogyne cristata Lindley in alleviation of chronic fatigue syndrome in aged Wistar rats.

Functional brain connectivity of remembered fatigue or happiness in healthy adults: Use of arterial spin labeling.

On chronic fatigue syndrome and nosological categories.

Fatigue Is Associated With Altered Monitoring and Preparation of Physical Effort in Patients With Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

The autoimmune/inflammatory syndrome induced by adjuvants (ASIA)/Shoenfeld's syndrome: descriptive analysis of 300 patients from the international ASIA syndrome registry.

HPV vaccination syndrome: A clinical mirage, or a new tragic fibromyalgia model.

A Comparison of Neuroimaging Abnormalities in Multiple Sclerosis, Major Depression and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis): is There a Common Cause?

Causality on longitudinal data: Stable specification search in constrained structural equation modeling.

Therapeutic Effect and Metabolic Mechanism of A Selenium-Polysaccharide from Ziyang Green Tea on Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

[Comparison of differential metabolites in urine of the middle school students with chronic fatigue syndrome before and after exercise].

Severe eosinophilic colitis caused by neuropathic agents in a patient with chronic fatigue syndrome and functional abdominal pain: case report and review of the literature.

Glial Activation and Expression of the Serotonin Transporter in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Tiredness, Fatigue, and Exhaustion as Perceived by Recreational Marathon Runners.

Aluminum in vaccines: Does it create a safety problem?

Curated Collections

Neuroinflammation Evidence

Metabolism & Mitochondria

Biomarkers

PEM-Specific Research