ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

4881–4900 of 6,209 studies

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM unclearCross-Sectional

DNA methylation modifications associated with chronic fatigue syndrome.

de Vega, Wilfred C, Vernon, Suzanne D, McGowan, Patrick O·PloS one·2014

This study looked at chemical tags attached to DNA (called methylation) in the blood cells of people with ME/CFS compared to healthy people. The researchers found that people with ME/CFS have differences in these chemical tags on genes related to immune function, energy production, and cell signaling. These differences might help explain why the immune system and energy systems aren't working properly in ME/CFS.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryDiagnosticPEM unclearMethods-Paper

Modeling Bivariate Longitudinal Hormone Profiles by Hierarchical State Space Models.

Liu, Ziyue, Cappola, Anne R, Crofford, Leslie J et al.·Journal of the American Statistical Association·2014

This study developed a new statistical method to track how stress hormones change over time in people with ME/CFS and fibromyalgia. The researchers found that in patients with these conditions, the two main stress hormones (ACTH and cortisol) don't work together as well as they do in healthy people, suggesting their stress-response system may function differently.

Endocrine Disruption

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredMechanistic

The effective mechanism of the polysaccharides from Panax ginseng on chronic fatigue syndrome.

Wang, Jia, Sun, Chengxin, Zheng, Yan et al.·Archives of pharmacal research·2014

Researchers tested a compound extracted from ginseng called WGPA-A in mice to see if it could help reduce fatigue. They found that mice given WGPA-A could swim longer before becoming tired, and the treatment reduced signs of cellular damage (oxidative stress) and improved the health of mitochondria—the energy-producing structures inside muscle cells. This suggests ginseng compounds might help fight fatigue by protecting cells from damage.

Energy Metabolism

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

An unusual presentation of Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease.

Van den Bergh, Magali, Bauer, Frank A, Posteraro, Anthony F et al.·Connecticut medicine·2014

This report describes one patient with a rare condition called Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease (KFD), which causes swollen lymph nodes and fever. What makes this case unusual is that the patient also had fibromyalgia and ME/CFS, and her lymph node swelling was in an atypical location. The patient improved with steroid treatment, though her symptoms returned a few months later and responded well to treatment again.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM unclearMechanistic

A role for homeostatic drive in the perpetuation of complex chronic illness: Gulf War Illness and chronic fatigue syndrome.

Craddock, Travis J A, Fritsch, Paul, Rice, Mark A et al.·PloS one·2014

This study explored how the body's stress-response system (the HPA axis) may become stuck in a dysfunctional state in ME/CFS and Gulf War Illness, interacting with sex hormones and immune function. Using computer models based on known biology, researchers found that men with Gulf War Illness showed a pattern of high cortisol and low testosterone, while women with ME/CFS showed low cortisol and high estradiol—suggesting the body gets trapped in alternate 'stuck' settings. These findings suggest that treatments might work by helping the body escape these abnormal states.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

The gut microbiome and the brain.

Galland, Leo·Journal of medicinal food·2014

Your gut bacteria can communicate with your brain in several ways: they produce substances that trigger your immune system, create chemicals that affect your mood and sleep, and send signals directly to your brain through a major nerve called the vagus nerve. When the balance of gut bacteria is disrupted, this communication can go wrong and may contribute to problems like chronic fatigue, brain fog, and mood changes.

NeuroinflammationGut MicrobiomeImmune System

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Review: Vitamin D3 deficiency results in dysfunctions of immunity with severe fatigue and depression in a variety of diseases.

Höck, Anna Dorothea·In vivo (Athens, Greece)·2014

This review explains how vitamin D3 deficiency may contribute to severe fatigue and depression in conditions like ME/CFS. Vitamin D3 helps regulate the immune system, and without enough of it, the body's natural defenses become unbalanced, allowing infections and inflammation to persist. The authors suggest that vitamin D3 supplements might help prevent or improve these chronic conditions.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredMechanistic

Effect of trimethylgallic acid esters against chronic stress-induced anxiety-like behavior and oxidative stress in mice.

Dhingra, Mamta Sachdeva, Dhingra, Sameer, Kumria, Rachna et al.·Pharmacological reports : PR·2014

This study tested whether a new compound derived from gallic acid (a plant antioxidant) could help reverse the harmful effects of chronic stress in mice. Researchers stressed mice by making them swim daily for 15 days, then treated them with the compound and measured changes in anxiety, memory, and harmful molecules in the brain. The treated mice showed improvements in movement, reduced anxiety, better memory, and lower levels of inflammation compared to untreated stressed mice.

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM unclearCase-Control

Metals as a common trigger of inflammation resulting in non-specific symptoms: diagnosis and treatment.

Stejskal, Vera·The Israel Medical Association journal : IMAJ·2014

This small study looked at whether metal allergies might trigger or worsen ME/CFS and fibromyalgia symptoms. Researchers tested 5 patients (3 with ME/CFS, 2 with fibromyalgia) who suspected metals were making them sick, and found that most had immune reactions to metals in dental fillings or surgical implants. When these metal sources were removed, patients reported long-term improvement in their symptoms.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM not required

Complete eradication of chronic long standing eczema and keratosis pilaris following treatment with dextroamphetamine sulfate.

Check, J H, Chan, S·Clinical and experimental obstetrics & gynecology·2014

This study describes two patients with ME/CFS who also had long-standing skin conditions (eczema and keratosis pilaris) that improved significantly when treated with dextroamphetamine, a stimulant medication. The authors suggest these skin problems may be related to an underactive nervous system that is also involved in ME/CFS, and that stimulant treatment may help both conditions.

Interventions

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Mitochondrial dysfunctions in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome explained by activated immuno-inflammatory, oxidative and nitrosative stress pathways.

Morris, Gerwyn, Maes, Michael·Metabolic brain disease·2014

This study explains how ME/CFS may damage the mitochondria—the energy-producing units inside our cells. The researchers found that inflammation, immune system overactivity, and harmful molecules called oxidative stress can interfere with how mitochondria produce energy (ATP), which is why ME/CFS patients experience extreme fatigue and post-exertional malaise. Low levels of protective vitamins and minerals also make this problem worse.

Immune SystemPost-Exertional Malaise

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredMechanistic

A chronic fatigue syndrome model demonstrates mechanical allodynia and muscular hyperalgesia via spinal microglial activation.

Yasui, Masaya, Yoshimura, Takashi, Takeuchi, So et al.·Glia·2014

This study used rats exposed to continuous stress to model ME/CFS and fibromyalgia, finding that stress caused pain sensitivity without any actual tissue damage or infection. The researchers discovered that immune cells in the spinal cord called microglia became activated in stressed animals, and blocking this activation with a drug called minocycline reduced their pain. This suggests that abnormal pain in ME/CFS may stem from brain and spinal cord inflammation rather than damage to muscles or skin.

Neuroinflammation

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

The emerging role of autoimmunity in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/cfs).

Morris, Gerwyn, Berk, Michael, Galecki, Piotr et al.·Molecular neurobiology·2014

This study explores how ME/CFS may involve the immune system attacking the body's own tissues (autoimmunity). Researchers found that up to 60% of ME/CFS patients show signs of autoimmune responses, likely triggered by a combination of stress on cells, viral infections, and problems with how the body produces energy. The study identifies several pathways that could lead to these harmful immune reactions and discusses potential treatments.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM unclearObservational

A qualitative natural history study of ME/CFS in the community.

Anderson, Valerie R, Jason, Leonard A, Hlavaty, Laura E·Health care for women international·2014

This study interviewed 19 people with ME/CFS who were living in their communities (rather than patients seen at specialty clinics) to understand their experiences with the illness over time. The researchers found that ME/CFS affects people in multiple ways—physically, emotionally, and socially—and that how communities and healthcare providers respond to patients can significantly impact their illness progression and quality of life.

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM not requiredObservational

Multiple Sclerosis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome overlap: When two common disorders collide.

Gaber, Tarek A-Z K, Oo, Wah Wah, Ringrose, Hollie·NeuroRehabilitation·2014

This study looked at whether people with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) might also have ME/CFS at the same time. Researchers examined 64 MS patients and found that 14% of them—all women—also met the diagnostic criteria for ME/CFS. Their fatigue and other symptoms like pain and headaches couldn't be fully explained by their MS alone, suggesting the two conditions can occur together in the same person.

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredObservational

Deficient EBV-specific B- and T-cell response in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Loebel, Madlen, Strohschein, Kristin, Giannini, Carolin et al.·PloS one·2014

This study looked at how the immune system responds to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), a common virus that causes mono, in people with ME/CFS compared to healthy controls. Researchers found that ME/CFS patients have a weaker immune response to EBV, particularly in their B cells and T cells—the immune cells that normally fight off this virus. The findings suggest that ME/CFS patients may have difficulty controlling EBV reactivation in their bodies.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryBehavioralPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Experiences of daily activity in chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) and their implications for rehabilitation programmes.

Pemberton, Sue, Cox, Diane L·Disability and rehabilitation·2014

This study interviewed 14 people with ME/CFS to understand how they experience daily activities. Researchers found that before becoming ill, most participants were very active and had difficulty taking breaks. When they got sick, they tried to keep pushing themselves to do as much as before, which led to worsening symptoms. The study suggests that rehabilitation programs should take into account people's attitudes toward activity and rest, not just focus on changing what they do.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Neuroinflammation in Patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis: An ¹¹C-(R)-PK11195 PET Study.

Nakatomi, Yasuhito, Mizuno, Kei, Ishii, Akira et al.·Journal of nuclear medicine : official publication, Society of Nuclear Medicine·2014

This study used a special brain imaging technique called PET scans to look for signs of inflammation in the brains of ME/CFS patients. Researchers found that people with ME/CFS had higher levels of brain inflammation markers in several key brain regions compared to healthy controls. The amount of inflammation was linked to how severe patients' cognitive problems, pain, and depression were.

Neuroinflammation

E3 PreliminaryBehavioralPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Orthostatic responses in adolescent chronic fatigue syndrome: contributions from expectancies as well as gravity.

Wyller, Vegard Bruun, Fagermoen, Even, Sulheim, Dag et al.·BioPsychoSocial medicine·2014

When people with ME/CFS stand up or imagine standing, their body's nervous system responds differently than in healthy people. This study found that teenagers with ME/CFS have higher resting heart rate and blood pressure, and their nervous system shows stronger stress responses when they think about standing upright, even though their actual physical response to tilting was similar to healthy peers. This suggests that both the physical challenge of gravity and a person's expectations or anxiety about standing may contribute to the symptoms they experience.

Autonomic Nervous System

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Hepatitis B vaccination and associated oral manifestations: a non-systematic review of literature and case reports.

Tarakji, B, Ashok, N, Alakeel, R et al.·Annals of medical and health sciences research·2014

This review looked at reported side effects from the Hepatitis B vaccine given to children and adults. While the vaccine is generally considered safe, researchers found reports of various health complications that occurred after vaccination, including some that affect the mouth and jaw. The authors note that most side effects go away on their own, but a few can be serious and need hospital care.

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DNA methylation modifications associated with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Modeling Bivariate Longitudinal Hormone Profiles by Hierarchical State Space Models.

The effective mechanism of the polysaccharides from Panax ginseng on chronic fatigue syndrome.

An unusual presentation of Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease.

A role for homeostatic drive in the perpetuation of complex chronic illness: Gulf War Illness and chronic fatigue syndrome.

The gut microbiome and the brain.

Review: Vitamin D3 deficiency results in dysfunctions of immunity with severe fatigue and depression in a variety of diseases.

Effect of trimethylgallic acid esters against chronic stress-induced anxiety-like behavior and oxidative stress in mice.

Metals as a common trigger of inflammation resulting in non-specific symptoms: diagnosis and treatment.

Complete eradication of chronic long standing eczema and keratosis pilaris following treatment with dextroamphetamine sulfate.

Mitochondrial dysfunctions in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome explained by activated immuno-inflammatory, oxidative and nitrosative stress pathways.

A chronic fatigue syndrome model demonstrates mechanical allodynia and muscular hyperalgesia via spinal microglial activation.

The emerging role of autoimmunity in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/cfs).

A qualitative natural history study of ME/CFS in the community.

Multiple Sclerosis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome overlap: When two common disorders collide.

Deficient EBV-specific B- and T-cell response in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Experiences of daily activity in chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) and their implications for rehabilitation programmes.

Neuroinflammation in Patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis: An ¹¹C-(R)-PK11195 PET Study.

Orthostatic responses in adolescent chronic fatigue syndrome: contributions from expectancies as well as gravity.

Hepatitis B vaccination and associated oral manifestations: a non-systematic review of literature and case reports.

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