ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

4981–5000 of 6,164 studies

E3 PreliminaryDiagnosticPEM unclearMethods-Paper

Multiple sources of contamination in samples from patients reported to have XMRV infection.

Kearney, Mary F, Spindler, Jonathan, Wiegand, Ann et al.·PloS one·2012

Researchers tested blood samples from ME/CFS patients that were previously reported to contain a virus called XMRV. Using careful testing methods, they found that the virus-like sequences in patient blood samples were actually contamination from mouse DNA used in lab experiments, not the XMRV virus itself. When they did find actual XMRV virus, it appeared in healthy control samples and came from cross-contamination in the lab rather than from patient infections.

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredMechanistic

Long-term infection and vertical transmission of a gammaretrovirus in a foreign host species.

Sakuma, Toshie, Tonne, Jason M, Malcolm, Jessica A et al.·PloS one·2012

Researchers studied a virus called XMRV that can jump between animal species to understand how viruses adapt when they infect new hosts. They infected a type of mouse with XMRV and watched what happened over a year, including whether the virus could be passed to offspring. The mice stayed healthy and the virus didn't spread much to the next generation, suggesting that while the virus can infect new species, it doesn't easily take hold or spread.

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 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 PreliminaryPEM unclearRegistry-Resource

Worst Cases Reported to the NAFKAM International Registry of Exceptional Courses of Disease.

Fønnebø, Vinjar, Drageset, Brit J, Salamonsen, Anita·Global advances in health and medicine·2012

This study reviewed detailed case reports from a registry that documented the most severe cases of ME/CFS—patients whose illness followed unusual or particularly debilitating courses. The researchers examined these exceptional cases to better understand the range and severity of disease progression in ME/CFS. By studying the worst-case scenarios, the team aimed to identify patterns that might help doctors recognize and support the most severely affected patients.

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredMechanistic

Characterization, mapping, and distribution of the two XMRV parental proviruses.

Cingöz, Oya, Paprotka, Tobias, Delviks-Frankenberry, Krista A et al.·Journal of virology·2012

This study investigated XMRV, a virus that was once thought to be linked to ME/CFS. Researchers discovered that XMRV was not created naturally in mice but instead was accidentally made in a laboratory when two different mouse viruses combined during a cancer experiment. The study shows that XMRV could not have originated in nature because its two parent viruses are found in different geographic mouse populations and have never naturally occurred together in the wild.

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 PreliminaryGuidelinePEM not requiredGuideline

[Persistent fatigue following Q fever].

Keijmel, Stephan P, Morroy, Gabriëlla, Delsing, Corine E et al.·Nederlands tijdschrift voor geneeskunde·2012

After a bacterial infection called Q fever, about 1 in 5 patients develop long-lasting fatigue and other symptoms called Q fever fatigue syndrome (QFS). This guideline from the Netherlands helps doctors diagnose and treat QFS consistently. Many patients recover on their own within six months, but those who don't may benefit from cognitive behavioral therapy, a type of talk therapy that helps people manage chronic fatigue.

Diagnostics

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 PreliminaryBehavioralPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Metacognitive factors in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Maher-Edwards, Lorraine, Fernie, Bruce A, Murphy, Gabrielle et al.·Clinical psychology & psychotherapy·2012

This study explored how ME/CFS patients think about their thinking—specifically, their beliefs about analyzing and solving problems related to their symptoms. Researchers found that patients have both helpful and unhelpful thoughts about trying to understand their illness, and they often focus on either distracting themselves or monitoring their symptoms closely. The study suggests that these thought patterns may play a role in how ME/CFS symptoms develop or persist.

Cognitive Impairment

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 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

A role for corticosteroid-binding globulin variants in stress-related disorders.

Marathe, Chinmay S, Torpy, David J·Expert review of endocrinology & metabolism·2012

This review examines how genetic variations in a protein called corticosteroid-binding globulin (CBG) may influence whether someone develops ME/CFS, fibromyalgia, or chronic pain. CBG helps transport cortisol (the body's stress hormone) in the blood, and when this protein doesn't work properly, it may affect how the body responds to stress. The researchers looked at evidence from genetic studies and animal models suggesting that inherited differences in the CBG gene could increase someone's risk of developing these stress-related conditions.

Endocrine Disruption

E3 PreliminaryDiagnosticPEM not requiredMethods-Paper

Development and application of a high-throughput microneutralization assay: lack of xenotropic murine leukemia virus-related virus and/or murine leukemia virus detection in blood donors.

Zhou, Yanchen, Steffen, Imke, Montalvo, Leilani et al.·Transfusion·2012

Researchers developed a new test to look for viruses called XMRV and related MLVs in blood donors, since these viruses had been suggested as possible causes of ME/CFS. They tested 354 blood samples and found that about 6.5% showed some ability to block the virus in the lab, but when they did more detailed testing, they found no actual virus or antibodies against it—suggesting the blocking was likely due to something other than a real infection.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryDiagnosticPEM not requiredMethods-Paper

Classifying medication use in clinical research.

Rizzo, Dorrie, Creti, Laura, Bailes, Sally et al.·Journal of primary care & community health·2011

Researchers created a simple system for organizing and grouping the medicines that patients take during medical studies. They tested this organizational method on patients with ME/CFS and sleep apnea to see if different groups of patients tend to take different combinations of medications. They found five main medicine categories, and importantly, the pattern of medicines taken by ME/CFS patients was quite different from sleep apnea patients, possibly reflecting different views about what causes these conditions.

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

The common immunogenic etiology of chronic fatigue syndrome: from infections to vaccines via adjuvants to the ASIA syndrome.

Rosenblum, Hemda, Shoenfeld, Yehuda, Amital, Howard·Infectious disease clinics of North America·2011

ME/CFS is a long-lasting illness of extreme fatigue and other symptoms that often starts suddenly like a flu. This review examines several theories about what might cause ME/CFS, including infections, genetic factors, hormone problems, immune system dysfunction, and psychological stress. The authors discuss a newer condition called ASIA syndrome, which involves autoimmune reactions that may be triggered by vaccine adjuvants (ingredients added to vaccines to boost immune response).

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredMechanistic

Sleep and fatigue in mice infected with murine gammaherpesvirus 68.

Olivadoti, Melissa D, Weinberg, Jason B, Toth, Linda A et al.·Brain, behavior, and immunity·2011

Researchers infected mice with a virus similar to one that has been linked to chronic fatigue syndrome in humans. They found that infected mice showed fatigue-like symptoms (reduced activity, altered sleep and body temperature) during the first 1-2 weeks of infection. Notably, when these mice were given a bacterial toxin challenge a month later, they had much stronger and longer-lasting reactions than uninfected mice, suggesting that latent viral infection may make the body oversensitive to future immune challenges.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryBehavioralPEM not requiredCase-Control

Pain neurophysiology education improves cognitions, pain thresholds, and movement performance in people with chronic whiplash: a pilot study.

Van Oosterwijck, Jessica, Nijs, Jo, Meeus, Mira et al.·Journal of rehabilitation research and development·2011

This small study tested whether teaching patients with chronic neck pain from whiplash about how pain works in the body could help them feel better. Six patients received this education, and researchers found that afterward, patients had less fear of movement, used healthier coping strategies, reported less disability, and could move their necks with less pain.

Pain and Sensitization

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

Irritable bowel syndrome and other functional gastrointestinal disorders.

Şimşek, Ilkay·Journal of clinical gastroenterology·2011

This review examines irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and related digestive disorders that cause symptoms like abnormal gut movement and pain sensitivity. The authors found that many people with these conditions also have other illnesses, including ME/CFS and fibromyalgia, suggesting shared underlying causes. Changes in gut bacteria and immune system activity may play an important role in these overlapping conditions.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryDiagnosticPEM not requiredMethods-Paper

Presence of murine leukemia virus (MLV)-related virus gene sequences in a commercial RT-PCR reagent.

Wolff, Dietmar, Gerritzen, Andreas·Clinical laboratory·2011

Researchers were trying to develop a test to detect a virus (MLV-related virus) that some studies claimed was found in ME/CFS patients. However, they discovered that their test was giving false positive results—meaning it was detecting the virus when it wasn't actually there. The problem came from contamination in a commercial reagent (a chemical kit) they were using, which helps explain why different research groups were getting different results.

E3 PreliminaryTrialPEM requiredRCT

Serotonergic descending inhibition in chronic pain: design, preliminary results and early cessation of a randomized controlled trial.

Meeus, Mira, Ickmans, Kelly, De Clerck, Luc S et al.·In vivo (Athens, Greece)·2011

Researchers wanted to test whether a medication called citalopram (which affects serotonin, a brain chemical) could help reduce pain during exercise in people with ME/CFS and fibromyalgia. However, the study had to stop early because participants experienced significant side effects from the medication and one person with ME/CFS developed severe post-exertional malaise (worsening of symptoms after activity). Because of these problems, the researchers couldn't complete the study or reach any conclusions about whether the treatment worked.

Post-Exertional Malaise

← Previous Next 20 studies →

Or browse by topic

PEM Immune Neuro Metabolic Biomarkers Severe ME Long COVID Cognitive

Evidence Atlas

Evidence browser

Multiple sources of contamination in samples from patients reported to have XMRV infection.

Long-term infection and vertical transmission of a gammaretrovirus in a foreign host species.

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

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

Worst Cases Reported to the NAFKAM International Registry of Exceptional Courses of Disease.

Characterization, mapping, and distribution of the two XMRV parental proviruses.

Chronic fatigue syndrome, the immune system and viral infection.

[Persistent fatigue following Q fever].

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

Metacognitive factors in chronic fatigue syndrome.

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

A role for corticosteroid-binding globulin variants in stress-related disorders.

Development and application of a high-throughput microneutralization assay: lack of xenotropic murine leukemia virus-related virus and/or murine leukemia virus detection in blood donors.

Classifying medication use in clinical research.

The common immunogenic etiology of chronic fatigue syndrome: from infections to vaccines via adjuvants to the ASIA syndrome.

Sleep and fatigue in mice infected with murine gammaherpesvirus 68.

Pain neurophysiology education improves cognitions, pain thresholds, and movement performance in people with chronic whiplash: a pilot study.

Irritable bowel syndrome and other functional gastrointestinal disorders.

Presence of murine leukemia virus (MLV)-related virus gene sequences in a commercial RT-PCR reagent.

Serotonergic descending inhibition in chronic pain: design, preliminary results and early cessation of a randomized controlled trial.

Curated Collections

Neuroinflammation Evidence

Metabolism & Mitochondria

Biomarkers

PEM-Specific Research