ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

4761–4780 of 6,209 studies

E3 PreliminaryDiagnosticPEM requiredMethods-Paper

Assessment of ME/CFS (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome): A Case Study for Health Care Providers.

Brimmer, Dana J, Jones, James F, Boneva, Roumiana et al.·MedEdPORTAL : the journal of teaching and learning resources·2016

This study created an educational course to help medical students, physician assistants, and nursing students better understand ME/CFS and how to care for patients with this condition. The course used videos and slide presentations to teach about ME/CFS symptoms, diagnosis, and management. Students who completed the course showed improved knowledge about ME/CFS and developed more empathy for patients living with this illness.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

[Chronic fatifue syndrome.].

Holecek, V, Rokyta, R·Ceskoslovenska fysiologie·2016

This review article provides an overview of ME/CFS, explaining what it is, how common it is, and how doctors diagnose and treat it. The condition lasts about 6 months or longer in adults and at least 3 months in children, causing persistent fatigue and other symptoms. The article covers multiple possible causes including biological, genetic, infectious, and psychological factors, as well as the economic impact of the disease.

Diagnostics

E3 PreliminaryCommentaryPEM unclearEditorial

Xenotropic Murine Leukemia Virus-Related Virus (XMRV) and the Safety of the Blood Supply.

Johnson, Andrew D, Cohn, Claudia S·Clinical microbiology reviews·2016

In 2009, a virus called XMRV was found in some ME/CFS patients and created significant concern about blood safety. However, scientists later discovered that the virus actually came from contaminated laboratory samples, not from patients' actual infections. This paper explains how the virus was traced back to a laboratory mouse and why it turned out not to be a real threat to ME/CFS patients or blood donors.

E3 PreliminaryCommentaryPEM unclearEditorial

Investigating unexplained fatigue in general practice with a particular focus on CFS/ME.

Bansal, Amolak S·BMC family practice·2016

This paper looks at how doctors in general practice can identify ME/CFS in patients who come in complaining of unexplained tiredness. The authors explain that ME/CFS is a real condition with specific diagnostic criteria, and that normal blood tests (ruling out infections, thyroid problems, and other common causes) combined with careful clinical assessment can confidently diagnose it. They argue that early diagnosis in primary care can reduce patient worry and prevent unnecessary, costly tests.

Diagnostics

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

The Putative Role of Viruses, Bacteria, and Chronic Fungal Biotoxin Exposure in the Genesis of Intractable Fatigue Accompanied by Cognitive and Physical Disability.

Morris, Gerwyn, Berk, Michael, Walder, Ken et al.·Molecular neurobiology·2016

This paper reviews how viruses (like EBV and cytomegalovirus), bacteria (like those causing Lyme disease), and mold exposure might cause ME/CFS in some patients. The authors explain that standard treatments like counseling and exercise have limited success, and suggest that doctors should look more carefully for hidden infections or past mold exposure when standard blood tests don't find an obvious cause.

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

High-frequency rTMS for the Treatment of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Case Series.

Kakuda, Wataru, Momosaki, Ryo, Yamada, Naoki et al.·Internal medicine (Tokyo, Japan)·2016

Researchers tested a brain stimulation technique called high-frequency rTMS on seven patients with ME/CFS. This non-invasive procedure uses magnetic pulses to stimulate a specific area of the brain involved in fatigue. Most patients experienced improvements in their fatigue symptoms, with only two experiencing mild side effects that required reducing the stimulation intensity.

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Herpesviruses dUTPases: A New Family of Pathogen-Associated Molecular Pattern (PAMP) Proteins with Implications for Human Disease.

Williams, Marshall V, Cox, Brandon, Ariza, Maria Eugenia·Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland)·2016

This review examines how herpesvirus proteins called dUTPases may trigger harmful immune responses in ME/CFS and other diseases. Most adults carry dormant herpesviruses (like Epstein-Barr virus) that can reactivate throughout life. The researchers suggest that proteins released during reactivation may overstimulate the immune system, potentially worsening ME/CFS symptoms and inflammation.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

Reversal of Refractory Ulcerative Colitis and Severe Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Symptoms Arising from Immune Disturbance in an HLA-DR/DQ Genetically Susceptible Individual with Multiple Biotoxin Exposures.

Gunn, Shelly R, Gunn, G Gibson, Mueller, Francis W·The American journal of case reports·2016

This case report describes one 25-year-old man who had both severe inflammatory bowel disease and chronic fatigue syndrome that improved dramatically after identifying and removing mold exposure from his home, receiving a hormone replacement therapy (VIP), and doing stress-reduction exercises. The patient's genetic makeup made him more susceptible to problems when exposed to toxic mold, and treating the underlying immune disturbance resolved his symptoms without medication.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

The Role of Toll-Like Receptors in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis: A New Promising Therapeutic Approach?

Gambuzza, Maria Elsa, Salmeri, Francesca Maria, Soraci, Luca et al.·CNS & neurological disorders drug targets·2015

This review examines how certain immune system sensors called Toll-like receptors (TLRs) may contribute to ME/CFS. These receptors sit on cells in the gut and detect bacteria and other microbes, triggering inflammation that may spread to the brain and cause fatigue and other symptoms. The researchers suggest that targeting these TLRs with new medications might help reduce inflammation and improve symptoms.

NeuroinflammationGut MicrobiomeImmune System

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

HPV vaccination syndrome. A questionnaire-based study.

Martínez-Lavín, Manuel, Martínez-Martínez, Laura-Aline, Reyes-Loyola, Paola·Clinical rheumatology·2015

This study looked at people who developed long-lasting pain, fatigue, and heart/blood pressure problems shortly after receiving the HPV vaccine. Researchers used three validated questionnaires to assess 45 people from 13 countries. Most reported muscle pain, tiredness, and dizziness, and after an average of 4 years, 93% still had severe symptoms preventing them from working or going to school.

Pain and SensitizationAutonomic Nervous System

E3 PreliminaryDiagnosticPEM not requiredMethods-Paper

Prediction of complex human diseases from pathway-focused candidate markers by joint estimation of marker effects: case of chronic fatigue syndrome.

Bhattacharjee, Madhuchhanda, Rajeevan, Mangalathu S, Sillanpää, Mikko J·Human genomics·2015

Researchers used advanced statistical methods to analyze genetic information from ME/CFS patients to see if they could predict who has the disease. They tested a new approach that looks at many genetic variations together across different biological pathways, rather than just a few strong genetic markers. The method achieved 80% accuracy in predicting ME/CFS status, suggesting that genetic testing combined with clinical examination might someday help doctors diagnose ME/CFS earlier.

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM requiredMechanistic

In silico analysis of exercise intolerance in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome.

Lengert, Nicor, Drossel, Barbara·Biophysical chemistry·2015

This study used computer models to understand why people with ME/CFS struggle with exercise. The researchers simulated what happens in muscle cells during and after physical activity, focusing on mitochondria—the parts of cells that produce energy. Their model showed that when mitochondrial function is reduced, muscles can't make enough energy (ATP), which causes them to accumulate toxic substances like lactate and acid, and can lead to cell death. Importantly, repeated exercise made this problem much worse in their simulations.

Energy MetabolismPost-Exertional Malaise

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Central pathways causing fatigue in neuro-inflammatory and autoimmune illnesses.

Morris, Gerwyn, Berk, Michael, Walder, Ken et al.·BMC medicine·2015

This review proposes that ME/CFS fatigue may be caused by ongoing inflammation and immune system activation in the body, which then damages the brain's support cells (astrocytes) and energy-producing structures (mitochondria). The authors suggest that ME/CFS shares similar biological mechanisms with other inflammatory diseases like multiple sclerosis and lupus, and recommend that ME/CFS patients be tested for immune activation and receive specific brain imaging to look for evidence of inflammation.

NeuroinflammationImmune System

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredObservational

Sleep quality and the treatment of intestinal microbiota imbalance in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A pilot study.

Jackson, Melinda L, Butt, Henry, Ball, Michelle et al.·Sleep science (Sao Paulo, Brazil)·2015

This small study tested whether reducing certain bacteria in the gut could improve sleep in people with ME/CFS. Researchers gave 21 participants a short course of antibiotics and measured changes in their gut bacteria and sleep. Seven participants showed significant reduction in a type of bacteria called Streptococcus, and these people did sleep better after treatment. However, most participants' gut bacteria returned to their original state, suggesting the antibiotic effects didn't last.

Sleep

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredMechanistic

Protracted effects of chronic stress on serotonin-dependent thermoregulation.

Natarajan, Reka, Northrop, Nicole A, Yamamoto, Bryan K·Stress (Amsterdam, Netherlands)·2015

When the body experiences prolonged stress, it can damage the system that controls body temperature through a chemical messenger in the brain called serotonin. This study found that stressed animals had trouble warming up when exposed to cold—the opposite of what healthy animals normally do—and this problem persisted even after stress ended. By blocking stress hormones during the stressful period, researchers could prevent these temperature control problems, suggesting stress-related damage to thermoregulation might be reversible.

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Less efficient and costly processes of frontal cortex in childhood chronic fatigue syndrome.

Mizuno, Kei, Tanaka, Masaaki, Tanabe, Hiroki C et al.·NeuroImage. Clinical·2015

This study looked at how children with ME/CFS use their brains when doing challenging thinking tasks. When performing two tasks at once (like sorting letters while reading a story), children with ME/CFS had to activate much larger areas of their brains compared to healthy children. This suggests their brains work harder and less efficiently to accomplish the same tasks, which may contribute to the exhaustion they experience.

Cognitive Impairment

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

Gray matter volumes in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Tang, Le-Wei, Zheng, Hui, Chen, Liang et al.·Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM·2015

This review examines brain imaging studies that found smaller brain regions in people with ME/CFS. The researchers looked at how other conditions—like chronic pain, stress, sleep problems, and depression—might affect these brain changes and make it harder to understand what's really happening in ME/CFS. By separating out these overlapping factors, scientists hope to better understand the true brain mechanisms behind ME/CFS.

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue: the underlying biology and related theoretical issues.

Romano, Graziella F, Tomassi, Simona, Russell, Alice et al.·Advances in psychosomatic medicine·2015

This review examines what scientists have learned about the biological causes of ME/CFS and fibromyalgia. Researchers have found that three main systems in the body appear to go wrong: inflammation (the body's immune response), oxidative stress (cellular damage from harmful molecules), and problems with hormones that control stress responses. These abnormalities may explain why patients experience fatigue, pain, memory problems, and mood changes.

Energy Metabolism

E3 PreliminaryCommentaryPEM requiredEditorial

Living with ME/CFS. challenge for scientists?

Weiler, John J A·Neuro endocrinology letters·2015

This case describes a person with ME/CFS for 19 years who experienced an unusual pattern: they could run 10 kilometers without problems, but later that same day, 30 minutes of browsing for books triggered severe exhaustion, muscle pain, and brain fog lasting into the next day. This puzzling difference highlights how ME/CFS symptoms don't always follow expected patterns and suggests that exercise intolerance in ME/CFS may be more complex than previously thought.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E3 PreliminaryDiagnosticPEM requiredMethods-Paper

Capturing the post-exertional exacerbation of fatigue following physical and cognitive challenge in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Keech, Andrew, Sandler, Carolina X, Vollmer-Conna, Ute et al.·Journal of psychosomatic research·2015

This study developed a new questionnaire called the Fatigue and Energy Scale (FES) to measure the specific type of exhaustion that ME/CFS patients experience after physical or mental activity. Researchers talked with 19 patients to understand what their fatigue feels like, then tested the questionnaire with patients doing exercise, driving simulation, and everyday tasks. The results showed that the FES successfully captured both the physical tiredness and mental fog that worsens after activity in ME/CFS.

Post-Exertional Malaise

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Evidence Atlas

Evidence browser

Assessment of ME/CFS (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome): A Case Study for Health Care Providers.

[Chronic fatifue syndrome.].

Xenotropic Murine Leukemia Virus-Related Virus (XMRV) and the Safety of the Blood Supply.

Investigating unexplained fatigue in general practice with a particular focus on CFS/ME.

The Putative Role of Viruses, Bacteria, and Chronic Fungal Biotoxin Exposure in the Genesis of Intractable Fatigue Accompanied by Cognitive and Physical Disability.

High-frequency rTMS for the Treatment of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Case Series.

Herpesviruses dUTPases: A New Family of Pathogen-Associated Molecular Pattern (PAMP) Proteins with Implications for Human Disease.

Reversal of Refractory Ulcerative Colitis and Severe Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Symptoms Arising from Immune Disturbance in an HLA-DR/DQ Genetically Susceptible Individual with Multiple Biotoxin Exposures.

The Role of Toll-Like Receptors in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis: A New Promising Therapeutic Approach?

HPV vaccination syndrome. A questionnaire-based study.

Prediction of complex human diseases from pathway-focused candidate markers by joint estimation of marker effects: case of chronic fatigue syndrome.

In silico analysis of exercise intolerance in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome.

Central pathways causing fatigue in neuro-inflammatory and autoimmune illnesses.

Sleep quality and the treatment of intestinal microbiota imbalance in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A pilot study.

Protracted effects of chronic stress on serotonin-dependent thermoregulation.

Less efficient and costly processes of frontal cortex in childhood chronic fatigue syndrome.

Gray matter volumes in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue: the underlying biology and related theoretical issues.

Living with ME/CFS. challenge for scientists?

Capturing the post-exertional exacerbation of fatigue following physical and cognitive challenge in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Curated Collections

Neuroinflammation Evidence

Metabolism & Mitochondria

Biomarkers

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