ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

5041–5060 of 6,211 studies

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 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Analysis of cerebrospinal fluid from chronic fatigue syndrome patients for multiple human ubiquitous viruses and xenotropic murine leukemia-related virus.

Schutzer, Steven E, Rounds, Megan A, Natelson, Benjamin H et al.·Annals of neurology·2011

Researchers tested cerebrospinal fluid (the fluid around the brain and spinal cord) from 43 ME/CFS patients to look for XMRV, a virus that some earlier studies suggested might be present in ME/CFS patients' blood. They also tested for several other common viruses. The study found none of these viruses in the cerebrospinal fluid, suggesting that if a virus is involved in ME/CFS, it may work differently than previously thought.

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 PreliminaryMechanismPEM unclearMechanistic

Phylogenetic analysis of murine leukemia virus sequences from longitudinally sampled chronic fatigue syndrome patients suggests PCR contamination rather than viral evolution.

Katzourakis, Aris, Hué, Stéphane, Kellam, Paul et al.·Journal of virology·2011

This study examined whether a virus called XMRV, found in some ME/CFS patients' samples over 15 years apart, could have naturally evolved within patients' bodies. Using genetic analysis, the researchers found that the virus sequences were actually different types of mouse viruses, not the same virus changing over time. This suggests the virus detections were likely due to laboratory contamination rather than evidence of an actual persistent infection.

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 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 PreliminaryDiagnosticPEM unclearMethods-Paper

Detection of murine leukemia virus or mouse DNA in commercial RT-PCR reagents and human DNAs.

Zheng, HaoQiang, Jia, Hongwei, Shankar, Anupama et al.·PloS one·2011

Scientists tested commercial laboratory reagents and DNA samples commonly used in medical research and found that many contained mouse virus sequences (MLV). These contaminations appear to come from the manufacturing process and could produce false-positive test results if not properly identified. This discovery is important because earlier ME/CFS studies reporting MLV detection may have been affected by these contaminated supplies rather than finding a real virus in patients.

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

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Beyond the serotonin hypothesis: mitochondria, inflammation and neurodegeneration in major depression and affective spectrum disorders.

Gardner, Ann, Boles, Richard G·Progress in neuro-psychopharmacology & biological psychiatry·2011

For decades, doctors believed depression was caused by low serotonin levels in the brain, but research hasn't proven this is true. This review proposes that depression and related conditions like ME/CFS, fibromyalgia, and IBS may actually stem from problems with how cells produce energy (mitochondrial dysfunction) combined with inflammation in the body. The authors suggest that common depression medications work through multiple pathways—not just serotonin—and that targeting mitochondrial health might help treat these overlapping conditions.

Energy Metabolism

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM unclear

Analysis of XMRV integration sites from human prostate cancer tissues suggests PCR contamination rather than genuine human infection.

Garson, Jeremy A, Kellam, Paul, Towers, Greg J·Retrovirology·2011

This study examined whether XMRV, a virus previously claimed to be found in ME/CFS patients, was actually present in human tissue samples. Researchers found that some of the viral DNA sequences reported as coming from patients were actually identical to sequences from viruses grown in a laboratory dish in the same lab, suggesting the samples were contaminated during testing rather than representing real human infection.

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 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredMechanistic

No evidence of murine leukemia virus-related viruses in live attenuated human vaccines.

Switzer, William M, Zheng, Haoqiang, Simmons, Graham et al.·PloS one·2011

Researchers tested 8 common vaccines to see if they contained XMRV or related viruses that had been previously linked to ME/CFS. They used sensitive tests including genetic sequencing to look for these viruses. None of the vaccines contained XMRV or the related viruses they were looking for, suggesting vaccines are not a source of these viruses in people.

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM not required

Decades of delayed diagnosis in 4 levodopa-responsive young-onset monogenetic parkinsonism patients.

Ling, Helen, Braschinsky, Mark, Taba, Pille et al.·Movement disorders : official journal of the Movement Disorder Society·2011

This study describes four young patients who were initially misdiagnosed with psychological movement disorders or chronic fatigue syndrome, but actually had a genetic form of Parkinson's disease. Their misdiagnosis lasted 10 to 23 years before the correct diagnosis was made. Once they received the correct treatment with levodopa medication, they all improved significantly, showing that the right diagnosis and treatment can make a major difference.

Diagnostics

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredMechanistic

Nitric oxide modulation in protective role of antidepressants against chronic fatigue syndrome in mice.

Kumar, Anil, Garg, Ruchika, Gaur, Vaibhav et al.·Indian journal of pharmacology·2011

This study used mice exposed to repeated stress (forced swimming) to create a model similar to ME/CFS, then tested whether two common antidepressants could help. The researchers found that these antidepressants reduced fatigue-like behavior and signs of cellular damage in the brain, possibly by affecting a molecule called nitric oxide. The findings suggest antidepressants might work partly through protecting the brain from oxidative stress.

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

Adrenal histoplasmosis: a case series and review of the literature.

Larbcharoensub, Noppadol, Boonsakan, Paisarn, Aroonroch, Rangsima et al.·The Southeast Asian journal of tropical medicine and public health·2011

This study describes seven cases of a rare fungal infection (histoplasmosis) that affected the adrenal glands—small organs that help manage stress and energy in the body. All patients experienced chronic fatigue as their main symptom, and most recovered after treatment. While this infection is uncommon, it shows that certain fungal infections can cause fatigue-like illness and should be considered when evaluating patients with unexplained chronic tiredness.

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 PreliminaryDiagnosticPEM unclearMethods-Paper

PCR master mixes harbour murine DNA sequences. Caveat emptor!

Tuke, Philip W, Tettmar, Kate I, Tamuri, Asif et al.·PloS one·2011

This study found that the laboratory chemicals used to detect viruses in blood samples may themselves contain mouse virus DNA, which can contaminate test results. When researchers tested water samples (with no actual virus present) using common laboratory kits, they still found mouse virus sequences—the same sequences that had been previously reported in ME/CFS patients. This suggests that previous findings of these viruses in ME/CFS patients may have been false positives caused by contaminated testing materials rather than actual infections.

E3 PreliminaryCommentaryPEM not requiredEditorial

Will vitamin D supplementation ameliorate diseases characterized by chronic inflammation and fatigue?

Hoeck, Anna Dorothea, Pall, Martin L·Medical hypotheses·2011

This paper proposes that low vitamin D levels may contribute to ME/CFS by allowing harmful inflammatory processes to continue unchecked in the body. Vitamin D normally acts as a brake on inflammation, but only when levels are adequate. The authors suggest that fixing vitamin D deficiency through supplementation might help reduce fatigue and inflammation in ME/CFS, though they acknowledge this theory needs to be tested in actual clinical trials.

Immune System

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 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredMechanistic

Antibody responses against xenotropic murine leukemia virus-related virus envelope in a murine model.

Makarova, Natalia, Zhao, Chunxia, Zhang, Yuanyuan et al.·PloS one·2011

Researchers created a vaccine to test whether the body can develop antibodies (immune proteins) against XMRV, a virus that was proposed to be associated with ME/CFS. Mice given the vaccine did produce antibodies against the virus, but these antibodies disappeared quickly—within three weeks. This short-lived immune response might help explain why different studies have found different rates of XMRV in ME/CFS patients.

Immune System

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Evidence browser

Classifying medication use in clinical research.

Analysis of cerebrospinal fluid from chronic fatigue syndrome patients for multiple human ubiquitous viruses and xenotropic murine leukemia-related virus.

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

Phylogenetic analysis of murine leukemia virus sequences from longitudinally sampled chronic fatigue syndrome patients suggests PCR contamination rather than viral evolution.

Sleep and fatigue in mice infected with murine gammaherpesvirus 68.

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

Detection of murine leukemia virus or mouse DNA in commercial RT-PCR reagents and human DNAs.

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

Beyond the serotonin hypothesis: mitochondria, inflammation and neurodegeneration in major depression and affective spectrum disorders.

Analysis of XMRV integration sites from human prostate cancer tissues suggests PCR contamination rather than genuine human infection.

Irritable bowel syndrome and other functional gastrointestinal disorders.

No evidence of murine leukemia virus-related viruses in live attenuated human vaccines.

Decades of delayed diagnosis in 4 levodopa-responsive young-onset monogenetic parkinsonism patients.

Nitric oxide modulation in protective role of antidepressants against chronic fatigue syndrome in mice.

Adrenal histoplasmosis: a case series and review of the literature.

Systemic nickel hypersensitivity and diet: myth or reality?

PCR master mixes harbour murine DNA sequences. Caveat emptor!

Will vitamin D supplementation ameliorate diseases characterized by chronic inflammation and fatigue?

Sleep disorders, medical conditions, and road accident risk.

Antibody responses against xenotropic murine leukemia virus-related virus envelope in a murine model.

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