ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

4781–4800 of 6,188 studies

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

The many roads to mitochondrial dysfunction in neuroimmune and neuropsychiatric disorders.

Morris, Gerwyn, Berk, Michael·BMC medicine·2015

This paper examines how mitochondria—the energy-producing parts of our cells—can become damaged in several conditions including ME/CFS. The authors found that while the specific causes may differ between patients, most people with these conditions share a common problem: their bodies produce too many harmful molecules called reactive oxygen species, which damage cells and trigger inflammation. This damage to mitochondria may explain why patients struggle with energy production and fatigue.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM unclearObservational

B-Lymphocyte Depletion in Myalgic Encephalopathy/ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. An Open-Label Phase II Study with Rituximab Maintenance Treatment.

Fluge, Øystein, Risa, Kristin, Lunde, Sigrid et al.·PloS one·2015

This study tested whether removing B-cells (immune cells) using a drug called rituximab could help ME/CFS patients. Twenty-nine patients received rituximab infusions over 15 months and were followed for 3 years. Eighteen patients (62%) showed lasting improvement in fatigue, with some staying better for over 2 years, though improvements took several months to appear.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

Glyphosate, pathways to modern diseases III: Manganese, neurological diseases, and associated pathologies.

Samsel, Anthony, Seneff, Stephanie·Surgical neurology international·2015

This paper explores whether glyphosate (a common herbicide in Roundup) might deplete the body of manganese, an essential mineral needed for brain health, nerve protection, and gut bacteria balance. The authors suggest that low manganese levels could contribute to various neurological conditions and gut problems, and they propose a mechanism connecting herbicide exposure to these health issues.

Energy Metabolism

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 PreliminaryCohortPEM not requiredObservational

A prospective, proof-of-concept investigation of KPAX002 in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Kaiser, Jon D·International journal of clinical and experimental medicine·2015

This small study tested a combination treatment called KPAX002, which pairs a stimulant medication (methylphenidate) with nutrients thought to support energy production in cells. Fifteen people with ME/CFS took this combination for 12 weeks, and researchers measured changes in fatigue and concentration problems using standard questionnaires. Most participants (87%) showed meaningful improvement in fatigue, and the treatment was generally safe and well tolerated.

Cognitive Impairment

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredMechanistic

Immunomodulating and antioxidant effects of polysaccharide conjugates from the fruits of Ziziphus Jujube on Chronic Fatigue Syndrome rats.

Chi, Aiping, Kang, Chenzhe, Zhang, Yan et al.·Carbohydrate polymers·2015

Researchers tested whether jujube fruit extract could help rats with an artificially induced chronic fatigue condition. The extract appeared to reduce oxidative stress (cellular damage) and boost immune function in these rats, including improving the activity of natural killer cells that help fight infections. While these results are encouraging, this is animal research and much more work is needed to determine if similar benefits would occur in people with ME/CFS.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryDiagnosticPEM not requiredMethods-Paper

Modeling diurnal hormone profiles by hierarchical state space models.

Liu, Ziyue, Guo, Wensheng·Statistics in medicine·2015

This study developed a new statistical method to measure hormonal patterns in ME/CFS and fibromyalgia patients compared to healthy people. Researchers focused on ACTH, a stress hormone that naturally rises and falls throughout the day in waves. They found that the daily rhythm of this hormone was similar between patients and healthy controls, but patients' hormone pulses were weaker and less frequent.

Endocrine Disruption

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

The dopamine imbalance hypothesis of fatigue in multiple sclerosis and other neurological disorders.

Dobryakova, Ekaterina, Genova, Helen M, DeLuca, John et al.·Frontiers in neurology·2015

This review examines why people with MS experience severe fatigue by looking at brain imaging studies and medication trials. The researchers propose that fatigue may result from a chemical imbalance in the brain involving dopamine, a messenger that helps different brain regions communicate with each other. They found that medications that boost dopamine can help reduce fatigue in various conditions, suggesting this chemical might be key to understanding fatigue.

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Brain "fog," inflammation and obesity: key aspects of neuropsychiatric disorders improved by luteolin.

Theoharides, Theoharis C, Stewart, Julia M, Hatziagelaki, Erifili et al.·Frontiers in neuroscience·2015

This review discusses 'brain fog'—trouble thinking clearly, concentrating, and remembering—which affects people with ME/CFS and other conditions. Researchers suggest brain fog may be caused by inflammation and immune cells releasing harmful chemicals in the brain. A natural compound called luteolin, which has anti-inflammatory properties, shows promise in early studies for reducing brain fog symptoms.

Neuroinflammation

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Beyond Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Redefining an Illness.

Military medicine·2015

This review article examines how ME/CFS is currently defined and proposes that our understanding of the illness needs to be updated. The authors, writing in a military medicine context, suggest that the condition extends beyond what the traditional name 'Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome' captures. The paper calls for a broader perspective on how this serious illness should be recognized and understood.

Diagnostics

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredMechanistic

A Model of Post-Infection Fatigue Is Associated with Increased TNF and 5-HT2A Receptor Expression in Mice.

Couch, Yvonne, Xie, Qin, Lundberg, Louise et al.·PloS one·2015

This study used mice to explore how infections might trigger the fatigue and depression-like symptoms seen in ME/CFS. After exposing mice to bacterial toxins (to mimic infection), researchers found that the animals showed signs of depression and fatigue even after obvious illness symptoms disappeared. The key finding was that certain brain receptors related to serotonin became more active, suggesting that changes in how the brain processes serotonin—rather than simply low serotonin levels—might explain fatigue after infection.

Immune System

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 PreliminaryReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

Fibromyalgia: A Critical and Comprehensive Review.

Borchers, Andrea T, Gershwin, M Eric·Clinical reviews in allergy & immunology·2015

Fibromyalgia is a condition that causes widespread pain, fatigue, and sleep problems, and it shares many symptoms with other conditions that are hard to diagnose. This review explains that while some people think fibromyalgia might be caused by infection, inflammation, or injury, there is not strong evidence supporting these ideas. The authors recommend that treatment should focus on education, exercise, physical therapy, and approved medications rather than opioids.

Pain and SensitizationSleepDiagnostics

E3 PreliminaryDiagnosticPEM unclearMethods-Paper

Assessing the Psychometric Properties of an Activity Pacing Questionnaire for Chronic Pain and Fatigue.

Antcliff, Deborah, Campbell, Malcolm, Woby, Steve et al.·Physical therapy·2015

This study tested a questionnaire designed to measure how well people with chronic fatigue and pain pace their activities—meaning how they balance rest and activity throughout the day. Researchers simplified the original 38-question survey down to 26 questions and identified five different ways people try to pace themselves: adjusting activities, keeping activities consistent, gradually increasing activities, planning activities, and accepting limitations. The questionnaire was found to be reliable and useful for measuring pacing strategies.

Interventions

E3 PreliminaryDiagnosticPEM unclearMethods-Paper

What matters to children with CFS/ME? A conceptual model as the first stage in developing a PROM.

Parslow, Roxanne, Patel, Aarti, Beasant, Lucy et al.·Archives of disease in childhood·2015

Researchers interviewed 25 children with ME/CFS to understand what matters most to them about their illness and lives. Children described four main areas that are affected: their symptoms (which change unpredictably), their ability to be physically active, their social life with friends and family, and their emotional well-being. The study found that support from both doctors and schools is really important in helping children manage their condition.

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 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Nutrition facts in multiple sclerosis.

Riccio, Paolo, Rossano, Rocco·ASN neuro·2015

This review article examines how diet and exercise may influence multiple sclerosis (MS) symptoms by affecting inflammation in the body. Western-style diets high in salt, sugar, and processed foods can increase inflammation and harm gut bacteria, while healthier diets rich in vegetables, fruits, and fish—combined with regular exercise—may reduce inflammation and support beneficial gut bacteria. The authors suggest that better nutrition might help reduce side effects from MS medications and improve chronic fatigue symptoms.

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

Are stamina and fatigue polar opposites? A case study.

So, Suzanna, Evans, Meredyth, Jason, Leonard A et al.·Journal of prevention & intervention in the community·2015

This study looked at whether fatigue and stamina are opposite sides of the same coin in ME/CFS. The researchers found that some people with ME/CFS have low fatigue but still cannot do much physically, while others have high fatigue that stops them from being active. This suggests that fatigue and stamina may be separate issues, and current diagnostic criteria that focus mainly on fatigue might miss people who have low energy and endurance but don't report severe fatigue.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

THE CAUSES AND SYMPTOMS OF SOMATOFORM DISORDERS IN CHILDREN (REVIEW).

Khundadze, M, Mkheidze, R, Geladze, N et al.·Georgian medical news·2015

This review article examines somatoform disorders—conditions where physical symptoms occur without a clear physical cause—in children and teenagers. It covers several conditions including chronic fatigue syndrome, and discusses why these disorders happen, how they present differently, and how doctors can diagnose and treat them. The authors note that these conditions have become more common over the past 20 years.

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

The Nature of Fatigue in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Olson, Karin, Zimka, Oksana, Stein, Eleanor·Qualitative health research·2015

This study asked 14 people with ME/CFS to describe their experience of fatigue in their own words. Participants identified three different types of tiredness: regular tiredness (before diagnosis), fatigue (during daily activities), and exhaustion (after overexertion). The most helpful strategies people used were pacing activities and taking extended rest periods to manage their symptoms and prevent crashes.

Post-Exertional Malaise

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Evidence browser

The many roads to mitochondrial dysfunction in neuroimmune and neuropsychiatric disorders.

B-Lymphocyte Depletion in Myalgic Encephalopathy/ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. An Open-Label Phase II Study with Rituximab Maintenance Treatment.

Glyphosate, pathways to modern diseases III: Manganese, neurological diseases, and associated pathologies.

Gray matter volumes in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

A prospective, proof-of-concept investigation of KPAX002 in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Immunomodulating and antioxidant effects of polysaccharide conjugates from the fruits of Ziziphus Jujube on Chronic Fatigue Syndrome rats.

Modeling diurnal hormone profiles by hierarchical state space models.

The dopamine imbalance hypothesis of fatigue in multiple sclerosis and other neurological disorders.

Brain "fog," inflammation and obesity: key aspects of neuropsychiatric disorders improved by luteolin.

Beyond Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Redefining an Illness.

A Model of Post-Infection Fatigue Is Associated with Increased TNF and 5-HT2A Receptor Expression in Mice.

Protracted effects of chronic stress on serotonin-dependent thermoregulation.

Fibromyalgia: A Critical and Comprehensive Review.

Assessing the Psychometric Properties of an Activity Pacing Questionnaire for Chronic Pain and Fatigue.

What matters to children with CFS/ME? A conceptual model as the first stage in developing a PROM.

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

Nutrition facts in multiple sclerosis.

Are stamina and fatigue polar opposites? A case study.

THE CAUSES AND SYMPTOMS OF SOMATOFORM DISORDERS IN CHILDREN (REVIEW).

The Nature of Fatigue in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

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