ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

4921–4940 of 6,164 studies

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 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

[Distinguishing between depression and chronic fatigue syndrome].

Asberg, Marie, Nygren, Ake, Nager, Anna·Lakartidningen·2013

This study examines how depression and ME/CFS are different conditions, even though they can look similar on the surface. The researchers discuss why it's important for doctors to tell these conditions apart, since they require different treatment approaches. Understanding these differences helps ensure patients get the right care for their specific condition.

Diagnostics

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredObservational

Molecular signatures of peripheral blood mononuclear cells during chronic interferon-α treatment: relationship with depression and fatigue.

Felger, J C, Cole, S W, Pace, T W W et al.·Psychological medicine·2012

When patients received interferon-alpha treatment (used for hepatitis C and cancer), researchers looked at immune cell genes to understand why the treatment causes depression and fatigue. They found that one gene called OAS2, previously linked to chronic fatigue syndrome, was especially active in patients who developed depression and fatigue during treatment. This suggests that immune system changes may directly contribute to these symptoms.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Linking disease symptoms and subtypes with personalized systems-based phenotypes: a proof of concept study.

Aschbacher, Kirstin, Adam, Emma K, Crofford, Leslie J et al.·Brain, behavior, and immunity·2012

This study examined how the body's stress-response system (the HPA axis) works differently in people with ME/CFS and fibromyalgia compared to healthy people. Researchers measured stress hormones (cortisol and ACTH) every 10 minutes for 24 hours and used computer modeling to understand each person's unique hormone patterns. They found that nighttime hormone patterns were different in patients versus healthy controls, and these patterns were linked to symptoms like pain, fatigue, and poor sleep.

Sleep

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

Chronic fatigue syndrome, the immune system and viral infection.

Bansal, A S, Bradley, A S, Bishop, K N et al.·Brain, behavior, and immunity·2012

This review examines whether immune system problems and viral infections play a role in ME/CFS. Researchers found modest signs of increased inflammation and cytokines (immune signaling molecules) in some patients, along with weakened natural killer cells that normally fight infections. While patients don't have more herpes virus exposure than healthy people, some evidence suggests their bodies struggle to fully control and clear these viruses, which could explain why symptoms persist.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Inflammatory fatigue and sickness behaviour - lessons for the diagnosis and management of chronic fatigue syndrome.

Arnett, S V, Clark, I A·Journal of affective disorders·2012

This review examines how inflammation in the body can cause extreme tiredness and sickness-like symptoms similar to those seen in ME/CFS. The authors looked at how inflammatory chemicals in the brain trigger the body's sickness response—similar to how you feel when fighting an infection—and found that this same process may be happening in ME/CFS patients. They suggest that understanding this connection could help doctors diagnose and treat ME/CFS more effectively.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

Diet and its role in interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS) and comorbid conditions.

Friedlander, Justin I, Shorter, Barbara, Moldwin, Robert M·BJU international·2012

This review examined how food and beverages affect bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS) and related conditions like fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue. Nearly 90% of patients report that certain foods make their symptoms worse—especially acidic foods like citrus and tomatoes, caffeine, alcohol, and spicy foods—while some substances like calcium and baking soda may help. The researchers recommend that patients work with their doctors to identify their personal food triggers through careful elimination diets rather than avoiding foods unnecessarily.

Interventions

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

Pain in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome: time for specific pain treatment?

Nijs, Jo, Crombez, Geert, Meeus, Mira et al.·Pain physician·2012

This review found that pain in ME/CFS is not caused by damaged muscles or joints, but rather comes from how the nervous system processes pain signals—a condition called central sensitization. The study suggests that education about how pain works in ME/CFS, along with cognitive behavioral therapy focused on fatigue, may help patients manage their pain better.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E3 PreliminaryDiagnosticPEM not requiredMethods-Paper

Minimum data elements for research reports on CFS.

Jason, Leonard A, Unger, Elizabeth R, Dimitrakoff, Jordan D et al.·Brain, behavior, and immunity·2012

Researchers noticed that different ME/CFS studies were collecting and reporting information in very different ways, making it hard to compare results across laboratories. This paper outlines the essential information that all ME/CFS research studies should include—like how patients were selected, what their characteristics are, and how they were tested—so that future studies can be compared fairly and findings can be better understood.

Diagnostics

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM not requiredObservational

Cervical neuro-muscular syndrome: discovery of a new disease group caused by abnormalities in the cervical muscles.

Matsui, Takayoshi, Ii, Kunio, Hojo, Shuntaro et al.·Neurologia medico-chirurgica·2012

This study suggests that problems in the neck muscles may cause or contribute to a range of symptoms including headaches, dizziness, fatigue, and autonomic problems (issues with automatic body functions like heart rate and blood pressure). The researchers treated patients with neck muscle abnormalities and reported that most patients improved significantly, with success rates ranging from 84-88% depending on the symptom.

Autonomic Nervous System

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Central sensitization as a component of post-deployment syndrome.

Lewis, Jeffrey D, Wassermann, Eric M, Chao, Wendy et al.·NeuroRehabilitation·2012

This study suggests that post-deployment syndrome—a condition affecting military veterans with chronic pain, fatigue, and memory problems—may develop through a process called central sensitization. Central sensitization means the nervous system becomes overly sensitive and amplifies pain signals. The researchers propose this happens because of changes in how the brain and spinal cord process information, and that stress and genes may increase the risk.

Pain and Sensitization

E3 PreliminaryDiagnosticPEM unclearMethods-Paper

Development of sensitive single-round pol or env RT-PCR assays to screen for XMRV in multiple sample types.

Tang, Ning, Frank, Andrea, Leckie, Gregor et al.·Journal of virological methods·2012

Researchers developed laboratory tests to detect XMRV, a virus that was proposed as a possible cause of ME/CFS. They tested these new detection methods on blood, urine, and other samples from healthy people, HIV-positive people, and prostate cancer patients. The tests worked well in the lab, but when applied to real patient samples, they did not find any confirmed cases of XMRV.

E3 PreliminaryCommentaryPEM not requiredEditorial

Recombinant origin, contamination, and de-discovery of XMRV.

Delviks-Frankenberry, Krista, Cingöz, Oya, Coffin, John M et al.·Current opinion in virology·2012

In the mid-2000s, scientists announced they found a virus called XMRV in people with ME/CFS, which raised hope for a breakthrough. However, after thorough testing by laboratories around the world, this discovery was proven wrong—the virus wasn't actually present in ME/CFS patients. The original findings were due to accidental contamination from mouse DNA and laboratory materials, and XMRV turned out to be a virus created accidentally in the lab decades earlier, not a natural infection in humans.

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredMechanistic

Xpr1 is an atypical G-protein-coupled receptor that mediates xenotropic and polytropic murine retrovirus neurotoxicity.

Vaughan, Andrew E, Mendoza, Ramon, Aranda, Ramona et al.·Journal of virology·2012

This study explored how a virus called XMRV might damage nerve cells in people with ME/CFS. Researchers found that when this virus enters cells, it blocks an important communication system (called cAMP signaling) that normally keeps cells healthy, leading them to die. However, it's now known that XMRV detection in human samples was likely due to contamination rather than actual infection.

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Gene expression alterations at baseline and following moderate exercise in patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia Syndrome.

Light, A R, Bateman, L, Jo, D et al.·Journal of internal medicine·2012

This study looked at how genes are turned on and off in people with ME/CFS before and after moderate exercise. Researchers found that about 71% of ME/CFS patients showed increased activity in genes related to nerve signaling and stress response after exercise, which correlated with their fatigue and pain levels. A smaller subgroup (29%) showed a different pattern, with decreased activity in one specific gene, and these patients were more likely to have orthostatic intolerance (dizziness when standing).

BiomarkersPost-Exertional Malaise

E3 PreliminaryCommentaryPEM unclearEditorial

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and Cancer Related Fatigue (CRF): two "fatigue" syndromes with overlapping symptoms and possibly related aetiologies.

Rovigatti, Ugo·Neuromuscular disorders : NMD·2012

This article compares two types of unexplained fatigue: ME/CFS and cancer-related fatigue. The author reviews evidence suggesting that both conditions may be triggered or worsened by viral infections. While a virus once thought to be connected to ME/CFS turned out to be a laboratory error, the author argues that finding the actual infectious agent responsible remains an important research goal.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Chronic fatigue syndrome or myalgic encephalomyelitis.

Burns, Dianne·Nursing standard (Royal College of Nursing (Great Britain) : 1987)·2012

ME/CFS is a serious illness that affects many body systems, especially the nervous and immune systems, and can impact anyone regardless of age, race, or background. This guideline article helps nurses and healthcare workers recognize and support ME/CFS patients by providing practical knowledge and management strategies. The recommendations can be used by healthcare professionals in different settings to better care for people living with this condition.

Diagnostics

E3 PreliminaryBehavioralPEM not required

Subjective concepts of chronically ill patients using distant healing.

Güthlin, Corina, Anton, Andreas, Kruse, Jan et al.·Qualitative health research·2012

This study interviewed 17 ME/CFS and multiple chemical sensitivity patients who received distant healing (spiritual intentions or prayers) as part of a research trial. Researchers found that patients struggled with a conflict: they wanted to try distant healing for help, but felt uncertain or judged because mainstream medicine doesn't recognize it as effective. Patients often tried to justify their choice to themselves and others.

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

Adult presentation of arterial tortuosity syndrome in a 51-year-old woman with a novel homozygous c.1411+1G>A mutation in the SLC2A10 gene.

Castori, Marco, Ritelli, Marco, Zoppi, Nicoletta et al.·American journal of medical genetics. Part A·2012

This case describes a 51-year-old woman diagnosed with arterial tortuosity syndrome (ATS), a rare genetic condition affecting blood vessel structure and strength. She presented with chronic pain, fatigue, joint problems, and heart valve issues. Genetic testing found a new mutation in the SLC2A10 gene responsible for this condition, which is usually diagnosed in children but was discovered here in an adult.

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredMechanistic

Restricted replication of xenotropic murine leukemia virus-related virus in pigtailed macaques.

Del Prete, Gregory Q, Kearney, Mary F, Spindler, Jon et al.·Journal of virology·2012

This study tested what happens when XMRV, a virus previously linked to ME/CFS, is deliberately introduced into macaque monkeys. The virus was unable to establish a persistent infection—it briefly appeared in the bloodstream but was quickly controlled and eliminated by the immune system. The monkeys remained healthy throughout the study, suggesting that if XMRV infection occurred in humans, it would likely be similarly limited.

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Evidence browser

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

[Distinguishing between depression and chronic fatigue syndrome].

Molecular signatures of peripheral blood mononuclear cells during chronic interferon-α treatment: relationship with depression and fatigue.

Linking disease symptoms and subtypes with personalized systems-based phenotypes: a proof of concept study.

Chronic fatigue syndrome, the immune system and viral infection.

Inflammatory fatigue and sickness behaviour - lessons for the diagnosis and management of chronic fatigue syndrome.

Diet and its role in interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS) and comorbid conditions.

Pain in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome: time for specific pain treatment?

Minimum data elements for research reports on CFS.

Cervical neuro-muscular syndrome: discovery of a new disease group caused by abnormalities in the cervical muscles.

Central sensitization as a component of post-deployment syndrome.

Development of sensitive single-round pol or env RT-PCR assays to screen for XMRV in multiple sample types.

Recombinant origin, contamination, and de-discovery of XMRV.

Xpr1 is an atypical G-protein-coupled receptor that mediates xenotropic and polytropic murine retrovirus neurotoxicity.

Gene expression alterations at baseline and following moderate exercise in patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia Syndrome.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and Cancer Related Fatigue (CRF): two "fatigue" syndromes with overlapping symptoms and possibly related aetiologies.

Chronic fatigue syndrome or myalgic encephalomyelitis.

Subjective concepts of chronically ill patients using distant healing.

Adult presentation of arterial tortuosity syndrome in a 51-year-old woman with a novel homozygous c.1411+1G>A mutation in the SLC2A10 gene.

Restricted replication of xenotropic murine leukemia virus-related virus in pigtailed macaques.

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