ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

5001–5020 of 6,188 studies

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Reduction of [11C](+)3-MPB binding in brain of chronic fatigue syndrome with serum autoantibody against muscarinic cholinergic receptor.

Yamamoto, Shigeyuki, Ouchi, Yasuomi, Nakatsuka, Daisaku et al.·PloS one·2012

Some people with ME/CFS have antibodies in their blood that target a chemical receptor in the brain called the muscarinic cholinergic receptor. This study used brain imaging (PET scans) to compare the brains of ME/CFS patients with and without these antibodies. Patients with these antibodies showed lower levels of these receptors in their brains, but this difference did not affect their thinking or memory performance.

Neuroinflammation

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Postural neurocognitive and neuronal activated cerebral blood flow deficits in young chronic fatigue syndrome patients with postural tachycardia syndrome.

Stewart, Julian M, Medow, Marvin S, Messer, Zachary R et al.·American journal of physiology. Heart and circulatory physiology·2012

When people with ME/CFS try to stand upright or tilt backward, their brain doesn't get enough blood flow to think clearly, and their thinking problems get worse as their body position changes. In healthy people, brain blood flow increases during hard thinking tasks, but in ME/CFS patients, this normal response is broken—their brains don't increase blood flow when doing difficult mental tasks.

Autonomic Nervous SystemCognitive Impairment

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

Shilajit attenuates behavioral symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome by modulating the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and mitochondrial bioenergetics in rats.

Surapaneni, Dinesh Kumar, Adapa, Sree Rama Shiva Shanker, Preeti, Kumari et al.·Journal of ethnopharmacology·2012

Researchers tested a natural substance called shilajit in rats with fatigue symptoms similar to ME/CFS. The shilajit appeared to reduce fatigue-like behaviors and anxiety, and improved how well the rats' cells produced energy. This suggests shilajit might work by helping the body's stress response system and protecting mitochondria—the 'powerhouses' inside cells.

Energy Metabolism

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Carnitine derivatives: clinical usefulness.

Malaguarnera, Mariano·Current opinion in gastroenterology·2012

This review article discusses carnitine and its chemical cousins (acetyl-L-carnitine and propionyl-L-carnitine), which are natural substances your body uses to convert food into energy. The authors explain that these compounds may help with various conditions including chronic fatigue syndrome, depression, memory problems, and heart disease, and appear to be safe with few side effects.

Energy Metabolism

E3 PreliminaryDiagnosticPEM unclearMethods-Paper

Comparison of two quantitative assays for xenotropic murine leukemia virus-related virus.

Sato, Eiji, Yoshikawa, Rokusuke, Miyazawa, Takayuki·The Journal of veterinary medical science·2012

Researchers developed two new laboratory tests to detect and measure XMRV, a virus that was discovered in some people with chronic fatigue syndrome and prostate cancer. They compared a newer, simpler test called a 'focus assay' with an older test called a 'LacZ marker rescue assay' and found that both tests detected the virus equally well, though the newer test was easier to use.

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM not requiredObservational

Amisulpride in the treatment of fibromyalgia: an uncontrolled study.

Rico-Villademoros, Fernando, Rodriguez-Lopez, Carmen Maria, Morillas-Arques, Piedad et al.·Clinical rheumatology·2012

Researchers tested whether a medication called amisulpride, which is sometimes used to treat pain and mood problems, could help people with fibromyalgia. Over 12 weeks, 40 patients took this medication along with their regular treatments. The medication did not significantly reduce pain or other fibromyalgia symptoms, and many patients stopped taking it because of side effects.

Pain and Sensitization

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

Aluminium overload after 5 years in skin biopsy following post-vaccination with subcutaneous pseudolymphoma.

Guillard, Olivier, Fauconneau, Bernard, Pineau, Alain et al.·Journal of trace elements in medicine and biology : organ of the Society for Minerals and Trace Elements (GMS)·2012

This case report describes a woman who developed a small lump under her skin at a vaccine injection site years after vaccination. Researchers tested the tissue and found very high levels of aluminum compared to control samples. The study suggests that aluminum from vaccine adjuvants might accumulate in the body and potentially cause long-term problems like chronic fatigue syndrome.

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 PreliminaryDiagnosticPEM not requiredMethods-Paper

Developing resources to support the diagnosis and management of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalitis (CFS/ME) in primary care: a qualitative study.

Hannon, Kerin, Peters, Sarah, Fisher, Louise et al.·BMC family practice·2012

This study asked patients, carers, and doctors in North West England what would help them better diagnose and manage ME/CFS in general practice. The researchers found that patients want to be believed and taken seriously, while doctors said they need better training and support. Based on everyone's feedback, the team created practical tools including a DVD for patients, information leaflets, and online training for doctors.

Diagnostics

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 PreliminaryCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

Improved chronic fatigue symptoms after removal of mercury in patient with increased mercury concentration in hair toxic mineral assay: a case.

Shin, Sae-Ron, Han, A-Lum·Korean journal of family medicine·2012

This case report describes one patient whose chronic fatigue symptoms improved after receiving treatment to remove mercury from their body. The patient had eaten large amounts of raw tuna, which can contain mercury, and testing showed mercury levels in their hair that were higher than normal but below what's considered poisoning. After mercury removal therapy, the patient's fatigue got better.

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 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredMechanistic

Evaluation of protective effect of Aegle marmelos Corr. in an animal model of chronic fatigue syndrome.

Lalremruta, Vanphawng, Prasanna, Gurunath S·Indian journal of pharmacology·2012

Researchers tested whether an extract from the leaves of a plant called Aegle marmelos (also known as bael fruit) could help reduce fatigue-like symptoms in rats. Rats that were forced to swim daily developed fatigue-like behaviors, and when treated with the plant extract, they showed improvement in activity levels, reduced anxiety, and better stress markers in their blood compared to untreated rats.

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM unclearCross-Sectional

No biological evidence of XMRV in blood or prostatic fluid from prostate cancer patients.

Mendoza, Ramon, Silverman, Robert H, Klein, Eric A et al.·PloS one·2012

Researchers tested blood and fluid samples from prostate cancer patients to see if they contained XMRV, a virus that was once thought to cause chronic fatigue syndrome. They found no evidence of the virus in any of the samples, including in nine patients who had previously tested positive for XMRV. This study supports the growing scientific consensus that XMRV does not actually infect humans.

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM unclearCase-Control

Cytotoxic lymphocyte microRNAs as prospective biomarkers for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis.

Brenu, Ekua W, Ashton, Kevin J, van Driel, Mieke et al.·Journal of affective disorders·2012

Researchers studied tiny molecules called microRNAs in immune cells from people with ME/CFS and healthy controls. They found that people with ME/CFS have lower levels of certain microRNAs in their immune cells, which may explain why their immune systems don't work as well. These microRNA changes could be useful biomarkers—like a fingerprint—to help diagnose or understand ME/CFS.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredMechanistic

The in vivo infusion of hydrogen peroxide induces oxidative stress and differentially affects the activities of small intestinal carbohydrate digestive enzymes in the neonatal pig.

Lackeyram, D, Mine, Y, Widowski, T et al.·Journal of animal science·2012

Researchers gave young pigs either hydrogen peroxide (a substance that causes oxidative stress, similar to cellular damage) or saline over 10 days to study how oxidative stress might affect ME/CFS. Pigs given hydrogen peroxide showed reduced antioxidant levels, less physical activity, and decreased ability to digest certain carbohydrates in their intestines. This suggests that oxidative stress may interfere with how the gut breaks down food, which could contribute to fatigue and other ME/CFS symptoms.

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Systemic nickel hypersensitivity and diet: myth or reality?

Pizzutelli, S·European annals of allergy and clinical immunology·2011

This review examines whether eating foods containing nickel causes widespread symptoms in people with nickel allergies. While nickel allergies from skin contact are well-established, the evidence that eating nickel-containing foods causes systemic symptoms—like fatigue, digestive problems, or neurological issues—is unclear and unproven. The authors conclude that current scientific evidence is not strong enough to recommend low-nickel diets as a treatment.

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

Sleep disorders, medical conditions, and road accident risk.

Smolensky, Michael H, Di Milia, Lee, Ohayon, Maurice M et al.·Accident; analysis and prevention·2011

This review examined how sleep disorders and medical conditions—including ME/CFS, sleep apnea, insomnia, and others—may increase the risk of car accidents caused by drowsiness and fatigue. The authors found that while these conditions clearly cause tiredness and poor sleep, very few studies have actually looked at whether they make people more likely to have driving accidents. They call for better research to understand this connection and test whether treating these conditions reduces crash risk.

Sleep

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

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Reduction of [11C](+)3-MPB binding in brain of chronic fatigue syndrome with serum autoantibody against muscarinic cholinergic receptor.

Postural neurocognitive and neuronal activated cerebral blood flow deficits in young chronic fatigue syndrome patients with postural tachycardia syndrome.

Metacognitive factors in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Shilajit attenuates behavioral symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome by modulating the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and mitochondrial bioenergetics in rats.

Carnitine derivatives: clinical usefulness.

Comparison of two quantitative assays for xenotropic murine leukemia virus-related virus.

Amisulpride in the treatment of fibromyalgia: an uncontrolled study.

Aluminium overload after 5 years in skin biopsy following post-vaccination with subcutaneous pseudolymphoma.

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

Developing resources to support the diagnosis and management of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalitis (CFS/ME) in primary care: a qualitative study.

[Persistent fatigue following Q fever].

Improved chronic fatigue symptoms after removal of mercury in patient with increased mercury concentration in hair toxic mineral assay: a case.

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

Evaluation of protective effect of Aegle marmelos Corr. in an animal model of chronic fatigue syndrome.

No biological evidence of XMRV in blood or prostatic fluid from prostate cancer patients.

Cytotoxic lymphocyte microRNAs as prospective biomarkers for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis.

The in vivo infusion of hydrogen peroxide induces oxidative stress and differentially affects the activities of small intestinal carbohydrate digestive enzymes in the neonatal pig.

Systemic nickel hypersensitivity and diet: myth or reality?

Sleep disorders, medical conditions, and road accident risk.

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

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