ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

4921–4940 of 6,209 studies

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Somatic symptoms in consultation-liaison psychiatry.

Grover, Sandeep, Kate, Natasha·International review of psychiatry (Abingdon, England)·2013

This review discusses how doctors who specialize in both medical and mental health (called consultation-liaison psychiatrists) can help patients with ME/CFS and similar conditions where physical symptoms don't have a clear medical explanation. The review explains that these patients often experience depression and anxiety alongside their physical symptoms, and they use healthcare services frequently. Treatment options include talking therapies, cognitive behavior therapy, and antidepressants, which work with varying degrees of success.

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM unclearCase-Control

Persistent human herpesvirus-6 infection in patients with an inherited form of the virus.

Pantry, Shara N, Medveczky, Maria M, Arbuckle, Jesse H et al.·Journal of medical virology·2013

Some people inherit a virus called HHV-6 that becomes integrated into their DNA from birth. This study found that a small group of patients with this inherited virus also had active infections from a related but separate HHV-6 strain, and these patients experienced neurological symptoms including long-term fatigue. When treated with antiviral medications, the active viral infection was suppressed, suggesting the medication could help control symptoms.

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM unclearCase-Control

A multidisciplinary approach to study a couple of monozygotic twins discordant for the chronic fatigue syndrome: a focus on potential salivary biomarkers.

Ciregia, Federica, Giusti, Laura, Da Valle, Ylenia et al.·Journal of translational medicine·2013

Researchers studied saliva samples from identical twins—one with ME/CFS and one healthy—to look for protein differences that might help diagnose the disease. They found 13 proteins that were expressed differently in the sick twin compared to the healthy twin, with many of these proteins linked to inflammation and immune system function. This suggests that a simple saliva test might one day help doctors diagnose ME/CFS more reliably.

BiomarkersImmune System

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredObservational

Acute psychosocial stress-mediated changes in the expression and methylation of perforin in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Falkenberg, Virginia R, Whistler, Toni, Murray, Janna R et al.·Genetics & epigenetics·2013

This study looked at how a stressful situation affects a type of immune cell protein called perforin in people with ME/CFS versus healthy people. Researchers gave both groups a stress test and measured changes in perforin levels and a chemical modification (methylation) that controls whether genes are turned on or off. They found that while both groups increased perforin during stress, people with ME/CFS had a lower peak response and differently regulated perforin levels afterward.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

[A case of lyme disease requiring over 1 year to diagnose at an infectious-disease clinic].

Iwata, Kentaro, Shimada, Tomoe, Kawabata, Hiroki·Kansenshogaku zasshi. The Journal of the Japanese Association for Infectious Diseases·2013

This case report describes a 42-year-old woman who had fever and vague symptoms for years but was initially diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome. After 14 months, she developed facial paralysis, which prompted testing that revealed she actually had Lyme disease—an infection spread by tick bites. A month of antibiotics improved her symptoms. The report highlights that Lyme disease is rare in Japan but may be underdiagnosed and should be considered in patients with unexplained fevers.

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM not requiredObservational

Looking for idiopathic intracranial hypertension in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Higgins, Nicholas, Pickard, John, Lever, Andrew·Journal of observational pain medicine·2013

This study looked at whether some ME/CFS patients with severe headaches might actually have a separate condition called idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH)—increased fluid pressure around the brain. Researchers tested 20 ME/CFS patients with prominent headaches and found that 8 of them had elevated pressure levels, suggesting they had undiagnosed IIH. This raises the possibility that some people diagnosed with ME/CFS might benefit from testing and treatment for this other condition.

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Irritable bowel syndrome and migraine: bystanders or partners?

Chang, Full-Young, Lu, Ching-Liang·Journal of neurogastroenterology and motility·2013

This editorial examines two common chronic pain conditions—irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and migraine—and explores whether they might be related. Both conditions are more common in women, significantly reduce quality of life, and often occur together in the same patients. The authors suggest these disorders may share underlying causes related to how the nervous system processes pain, rather than being completely separate diseases.

Pain and Sensitization

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredMechanistic

Continuous stress promotes expression of VGF in melanotroph via suppression of dopamine.

Tokizane, Kyohei, Konishi, Hiroyuki, Yasui, Masaya et al.·Molecular and cellular endocrinology·2013

When the body experiences prolonged stress, it can affect how the pituitary gland (a small gland in the brain that controls many hormones) works. In this rat study, researchers found that stress caused increased production of a protein called VGF in certain pituitary cells. Interestingly, this increase happened because stress reduced levels of dopamine, a chemical messenger that normally keeps VGF levels low.

Endocrine Disruption

E3 PreliminaryCommentaryPEM unclearEditorial

New developments in the diagnosis and treatment of chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome.

Pontari, Michel, Giusto, Laura·Current opinion in urology·2013

This article discusses how chronic prostatitis and chronic pelvic pain syndrome in men can present differently—some men have pain localized to the pelvic area, while others experience widespread body symptoms similar to other chronic conditions. The authors review new treatment options including physical therapy, acupuncture, psychological support, and medications, and note that these conditions often occur alongside other chronic pain disorders like fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome.

Neuroinflammation

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Assessment of intracellular cytokines and regulatory cells in patients with autoimmune diseases and primary immunodeficiencies - novel tool for diagnostics and patient follow-up.

Osnes, Liv T, Nakken, Britt, Bodolay, Edit et al.·Autoimmunity reviews·2013

This article reviews how scientists measure specific immune system molecules called cytokines and immune cells to help diagnose and monitor autoimmune diseases and immune deficiencies. By measuring both inflammatory and anti-inflammatory markers together, doctors can better understand what's happening in a patient's immune system and track whether treatments are working.

BiomarkersImmune System

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredMechanistic

Utilization of replication-competent XMRV reporter-viruses reveals severe viral restriction in primary human cells.

Stürzel, Christina Martina, Palesch, David, Khalid, Mohammad et al.·PloS one·2013

Researchers tested whether XMRV, a virus once thought to be linked to ME/CFS, could actually infect and spread in human immune cells. They found that while the virus could replicate in some laboratory cell lines, it could not effectively infect or spread in real human blood cells from patients. This supports the conclusion that XMRV is unlikely to be a genuine human pathogen responsible for ME/CFS.

E3 PreliminaryPEM not required

[Neurasthenia in Norway 1880-1920].

Lillestøl, Kristine, Bondevik, Hilde·Tidsskrift for den Norske laegeforening : tidsskrift for praktisk medicin, ny raekke·2013

This study looked at historical medical records from Norway between 1880 and 1920 to understand how doctors understood and treated a condition called neurasthenia, which many believe was similar to today's ME/CFS. Doctors at that time described it as a weakness of the nervous system with exhaustion as the main symptom, though they couldn't find any physical cause. Treatment focused on rest and electrical therapy to strengthen the nerves.

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Brain dysfunction as one cause of CFS symptoms including difficulty with attention and concentration.

Natelson, Benjamin H·Frontiers in physiology·2013

This study suggests that ME/CFS is not one single disease but rather multiple conditions with different underlying causes. By grouping patients based on specific characteristics—like whether they have psychiatric diagnoses, fibromyalgia, or blood pressure problems when standing—researchers found that different groups showed different types of brain dysfunction. This approach could help explain why some patients experience trouble with concentration and attention in different ways.

Autonomic Nervous SystemCognitive Impairment

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Role of reactive oxygen species and antioxidants in atopic dermatitis.

Sivaranjani, N, Rao, S Venkata, Rajeev, G·Journal of clinical and diagnostic research : JCDR·2013

This study looked at whether skin damage from harmful molecules called reactive oxygen species plays a role in atopic dermatitis (eczema). Researchers compared 25 people with atopic dermatitis to 25 healthy people and measured levels of damaging molecules and protective antioxidants in their bodies. They found that people with eczema had more damage and lower levels of natural protective substances, suggesting that antioxidants might help treat the condition.

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredMechanistic

Xenotropic MLV envelope proteins induce tumor cells to secrete factors that promote the formation of immature blood vessels.

Murgai, Meera, Thomas, James, Cherepanova, Olga et al.·Retrovirology·2013

This study examined how certain viruses found in cancer cell lines affect tumor blood vessel growth. Researchers discovered that when tumor cells were infected with specific retroviruses, they produced substances that prevented normal blood vessel maturation, which could make tumors more aggressive and likely to spread. However, the study makes clear that these viruses do not actually infect humans and are not responsible for ME/CFS.

E3 PreliminaryDiagnosticPEM unclearMethods-Paper

Method Issues in Epidemiological Studies of Medically Unexplained Symptom-based Conditions in Veterans.

Coughlin, Steven S, McNeil, Rebecca B, Provenzale, Dawn T et al.·Journal of military and veterans' health·2013

This study examined how researchers diagnose ME/CFS and related conditions in veterans, particularly those who served in the 1990-1991 Gulf War. The researchers found that many veterans had other medical conditions that could complicate or mask ME/CFS diagnosis. The study highlights that how doctors define and diagnose these conditions matters a lot, and different approaches can lead to very different results.

Diagnostics

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

Neurocognitive impairment in childhood chronic fatigue syndrome.

Mizuno, Kei, Watanabe, Yasuyoshi·Frontiers in physiology·2013

This study examined how ME/CFS affects thinking and attention skills in children and teenagers. Researchers found that young people with ME/CFS have difficulty with tasks that require switching between activities or paying attention to multiple things at once. The brain regions responsible for these skills are still developing during childhood, and severe fatigue may slow down or disrupt this normal development.

Cognitive Impairment

E3 PreliminaryBehavioralPEM not requiredMechanistic

Anti depressant activity of Mamsyadi Kwatha: An Ayurvedic compound formulation.

Shreevathsa, M, Ravishankar, B, Dwivedi, Rambabu·Ayu·2013

Researchers tested an Ayurvedic herbal mixture called Mamsyadi Kwatha to see if it could help with depression and fatigue-like symptoms in mice. The mixture contains three plant ingredients and showed some ability to reduce signs of depression and fatigue in animal tests, suggesting it might have antidepressant properties.

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

Role of the Toll Like receptor (TLR) radical cycle in chronic inflammation: possible treatments targeting the TLR4 pathway.

Lucas, Kurt, Maes, Michael·Molecular neurobiology·2013

This review examines how a part of the immune system called TLR4 may trigger ongoing inflammation in several diseases, including ME/CFS. The authors discuss environmental factors (like air pollution and certain chemicals) that can activate TLR4, and they review several drugs and natural substances that might reduce this harmful inflammation by blocking TLR4 activation.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM not requiredObservational

The efficacy of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in the management of chronic fatigue syndrome.

Akarsu, Selim, Tekin, Levent, Ay, Hakan et al.·Undersea & hyperbaric medicine : journal of the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society, Inc·2013

This small study looked at whether hyperbaric oxygen therapy (breathing pure oxygen in a pressurized chamber) could help people with ME/CFS. Sixteen patients received 15 treatment sessions over three weeks, and researchers measured fatigue and quality of life before and after. All three fatigue measures showed improvement after treatment, and the therapy was well tolerated.

← Previous Next 20 studies →

Or browse by topic

PEM Immune Neuro Metabolic Biomarkers Severe ME Long COVID Cognitive

Evidence Atlas

Evidence browser

Somatic symptoms in consultation-liaison psychiatry.

Persistent human herpesvirus-6 infection in patients with an inherited form of the virus.

A multidisciplinary approach to study a couple of monozygotic twins discordant for the chronic fatigue syndrome: a focus on potential salivary biomarkers.

Acute psychosocial stress-mediated changes in the expression and methylation of perforin in chronic fatigue syndrome.

[A case of lyme disease requiring over 1 year to diagnose at an infectious-disease clinic].

Looking for idiopathic intracranial hypertension in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Irritable bowel syndrome and migraine: bystanders or partners?

Continuous stress promotes expression of VGF in melanotroph via suppression of dopamine.

New developments in the diagnosis and treatment of chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome.

Assessment of intracellular cytokines and regulatory cells in patients with autoimmune diseases and primary immunodeficiencies - novel tool for diagnostics and patient follow-up.

Utilization of replication-competent XMRV reporter-viruses reveals severe viral restriction in primary human cells.

[Neurasthenia in Norway 1880-1920].

Brain dysfunction as one cause of CFS symptoms including difficulty with attention and concentration.

Role of reactive oxygen species and antioxidants in atopic dermatitis.

Xenotropic MLV envelope proteins induce tumor cells to secrete factors that promote the formation of immature blood vessels.

Method Issues in Epidemiological Studies of Medically Unexplained Symptom-based Conditions in Veterans.

Neurocognitive impairment in childhood chronic fatigue syndrome.

Anti depressant activity of Mamsyadi Kwatha: An Ayurvedic compound formulation.

Role of the Toll Like receptor (TLR) radical cycle in chronic inflammation: possible treatments targeting the TLR4 pathway.

The efficacy of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in the management of chronic fatigue syndrome.

Curated Collections

Neuroinflammation Evidence

Metabolism & Mitochondria

Biomarkers

PEM-Specific Research