ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

621–640 of 1,205 studies

E3 PreliminaryCommentaryPEM unclearEditorial

Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome, Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Long COVID as Neuroimmune Disorders.

Blitshteyn, Svetlana, Doherty, Taylor A, Steinman, Lawrence·ImmunoTargets and therapy·2026

This editorial argues that three related conditions—POTS, ME/CFS, and Long COVID—should be understood and studied together as disorders affecting both the nervous system and immune system. The authors identify several common problems in these conditions, including heart rate abnormalities when standing, immune system dysfunction, and reduced blood flow to the brain. They believe treating these as a single category of disease could improve how doctors train, research, and care for patients with these serious illnesses.

NeuroinflammationImmune System

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM unclearMechanistic

Single-cell analysis reveals immune remodeling of monocytes, NK cells, T cell exhaustion, and Galectin-9-associated depletion of gamma delta and mucosal-associated invariant T cells in Long COVID with ME/CFS.

Shahbaz, Shima, Bozorgmehr, Najmeh, Rahmati, Amirhossein et al.·Frontiers in immunology·2026

Researchers analyzed immune cells from Long COVID patients with ME/CFS symptoms one year after COVID-19 infection and compared them to people who recovered normally. They found that Long COVID patients have significant problems with multiple immune cell types: fewer protective T cells, exhausted immune cells, and excessive inflammation markers. Interestingly, Long COVID patients showed different immune changes compared to people with ME/CFS from other causes, suggesting Long COVID may damage the immune system in a distinct way.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM requiredReview-Narrative

Virus-induced endothelial senescence as a cause and driving factor for ME/CFS and long COVID: mediated by a dysfunctional immune system.

Nunes, Massimo, Kell, Loren, Slaghekke, Anouk et al.·Cell death & disease·2026

This study proposes that ME/CFS and long COVID may be caused by damage to the blood vessels (endothelial cells) that occurs after a viral infection. When these cells become damaged and 'senescent' (aged), they release harmful substances that cause inflammation, blood clots, and reduced blood flow to the brain and other organs. The study suggests that a faulty immune system keeps these damaged blood vessels from healing, which is why symptoms persist for months or years after the initial infection.

Immune SystemPost-Exertional Malaise

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredMechanistic

Immunomodulatory and locomotor regulations via Diosgenin treatment in lipopolysaccharide-induced chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)/ depressive despair symptom: an in vivo assessment.

Shirole, Rahul Lotan, Khalane, Mohan Rajendra, Nage, Vijayeta Pralhad et al.·Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's archives of pharmacology·2026

This study tested a natural compound called diosgenin (found in fenugreek) to see if it could help with fatigue and depression-like symptoms in mice given a substance that triggered an immune response similar to what happens in ME/CFS. Mice treated with diosgenin showed improvements in activity levels, reduced fatigue-like behavior, and their brains had less inflammation and stress. The results suggest diosgenin might be worth investigating further as a potential treatment.

NeuroinflammationImmune System

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Proteomic signatures in cerebrospinal fluid and their clinical associations in patients with ME/CFS.

Bragée, Björn, Li, Peng, Meadows, Danielle et al.·Scientific reports·2026

Researchers analyzed fluid from the spinal cords of 31 ME/CFS patients to study 902 different proteins and understand what might be happening in their bodies. They found that patients with certain heart-related symptoms (POTS) had different protein patterns, and those with more severe ME/CFS had changes in immune system and blood clotting proteins. These protein patterns suggest several biological processes may be involved in ME/CFS, providing clues for future research.

NeuroinflammationImmune System

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM unclearMechanistic

Genetic Insights into Circulating Complement Proteins in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Potential Inflammatory Subgroup.

Maya, Jessica, Unger, Elizabeth R, Lin, Jin-Mann S et al.·International journal of molecular sciences·2026

This study examined whether genes influence how the immune system's complement proteins work in ME/CFS patients. Researchers found that some ME/CFS patients carry specific genetic variations linked to problems with a particular immune pathway (the alternative complement pathway), creating a subgroup with distinctive immune patterns. This suggests that genetics may explain why ME/CFS affects people differently and could eventually help doctors identify which patients might benefit from specific treatments.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM unclearMechanistic

Immunoglobulin G complexes from post-infectious ME/CFS, including post-COVID ME/CFS disrupt cellular energetics and alter inflammatory marker secretion.

Liu, Zheng, Hollmann, Claudia, Kalanidhi, Sharada et al.·Brain, behavior, & immunity - health·2026

This study found that antibodies (immune proteins) from ME/CFS patients can damage the mitochondria—the energy-producing parts of cells—and change how cells function. Researchers isolated antibodies from ME/CFS patients and added them to healthy cells in the lab, discovering that these antibodies caused changes in cell energy production and inflammation. This suggests that abnormal antibodies may be part of what makes ME/CFS patients feel exhausted and unwell.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Exploring a genetic basis for the metabolic perturbations in ME/CFS using UK biobank.

Huang, Katherine, Muneeb, Muhammad, Thomas, Natalie et al.·iScience·2026

Researchers examined blood samples from nearly 900 ME/CFS patients to understand how genes influence metabolism in this condition. They found that people with ME/CFS have different genetic patterns affecting fat and lipid metabolism compared to healthy people, particularly involving genes related to immune function. These genetic differences may help explain why ME/CFS affects different people in different ways.

Energy MetabolismImmune System

E3 PreliminaryDiagnosticPEM unclearMethods-Paper

Using the Ratio of Phosphorylated to Non-phosphorylated Forms of Stress Kinase PKR as a Potential Diagnostic Test for ME/CFS.

Sweetman, Eiren, Tate, Warren P·Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.)·2025

Researchers developed a new blood test that measures a specific immune protein called PKR in white blood cells to help diagnose ME/CFS. The test looks at whether PKR is in an active or inactive form—people with ME/CFS appear to have different patterns of active PKR compared to healthy people. If this method works well in larger studies, it could provide doctors with a simple, quick way to diagnose ME/CFS instead of waiting months while ruling out other illnesses.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Prevalence of EBV, HHV6, HCMV, HAdV, SARS-CoV-2, and Autoantibodies to Type I Interferon in Sputum from Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Patients.

Hannestad, Ulf, Allard, Annika, Nilsson, Kent et al.·Viruses·2025

This study tested sputum (saliva and mucus) samples from ME/CFS patients and healthy people to look for viruses and signs of immune dysfunction. Researchers found that ME/CFS patients had significantly higher levels of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) compared to controls, but surprisingly, most people carried human herpesvirus 6 at similar levels. The study suggests that ME/CFS patients may have trouble fighting off viruses, but this isn't simply due to the immune system attacking itself.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

The Gut-Brain-Immune Axis in Environmental Sensitivity Illnesses: Microbiome-Centered Narrative Review of Fibromyalgia Syndrome, Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and Multiple Chemical Sensitivity.

Watai, Kentaro, Taniguchi, Masami, Azuma, Kenichi·International journal of molecular sciences·2025

This review examines how changes in gut bacteria may contribute to ME/CFS, fibromyalgia, and multiple chemical sensitivity—three conditions that share similar symptoms like fatigue, pain, and sensitivity to environmental triggers. The researchers found that people with these conditions tend to have fewer helpful bacteria and more harmful bacteria in their gut, which may affect how their immune system and brain work. The review suggests that treatments targeting the microbiome—such as probiotics or other interventions—might help, though more research is needed to confirm this.

NeuroinflammationEnergy MetabolismImmune System

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredMechanistic

Causal Relationship Between Diet, Lipids, Immune Cells, and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Two-Mediation Mendelian Randomization Study.

Li, Jixu, Qin, Qi, Zhu, Yiran et al.·Food science & nutrition·2025

This study explored whether diet, cholesterol levels, and immune cell changes might contribute to ME/CFS development. Researchers found that eating cheese and pork, and avoiding alcohol and spicy food, may protect against ME/CFS, possibly by improving cholesterol profiles. The study suggests that certain types of cholesterol and immune cell changes may influence ME/CFS risk, creating a potential chain linking food choices to immune health to fatigue development.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM requiredMechanistic

Precision Medicine Study of Post-Exertional Malaise Epigenetic Changes in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Patients During Exercise.

Sharma, Sayan, Hodges, Lynette D, Peppercorn, Katie et al.·International journal of molecular sciences·2025

This study looked at how exercise affects the chemical switches on our genes (epigenetics) in ME/CFS patients, particularly during post-exertional malaise (PEM)—the exhaustion that worsens after physical activity. Researchers took blood samples from five ME/CFS patients before, immediately after, and 24-48 hours after an exercise test, and found distinct patterns of genetic changes that were specific to ME/CFS patients and not seen in healthy controls. These changes affected genes related to immune function, inflammation, and blood vessel health, suggesting the body's response to exercise in ME/CFS is fundamentally different at the molecular level.

BiomarkersImmune SystemPost-Exertional Malaise

E3 PreliminaryDiagnosticPEM unclearMethods-Paper

Measurement of Genetic Variations in ME/CFS Patients in the IDO2 Gene Encoding an Enzyme Metabolizing Tryptophan.

Edgar, Christina D, Blair, Anna, Tate, Warren P·Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.)·2025

This study looked at variations in a specific gene called IDO2 that controls an enzyme involved in breaking down tryptophan, an amino acid in our bodies. The researchers compared how often these genetic variations appear in ME/CFS patients versus healthy people, to see if certain variations might make someone more vulnerable to developing ME/CFS after a triggering event like a viral infection. They developed a straightforward laboratory technique to identify five common mutations in this gene.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM unclearMechanistic

Heat vs. Fatigue: Hyperthermia as a Possible Treatment Option for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS).

Hochecker, Barbara, Matt, Katja, Scherer, Melanie et al.·International journal of molecular sciences·2025

This small pilot study looked at how heat treatment (whole-body hyperthermia) affected immune cells from 9 people with ME/CFS. Researchers found that ME/CFS patients' cells showed signs of being overactive in certain ways compared to healthy people, and that heat treatment seemed to help normalize some of these cellular patterns. While these early results are promising, much larger studies are needed to confirm whether heat therapy could be a useful treatment.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM requiredReview-Narrative

Advocating the role of trained immunity in the pathogenesis of ME/CFS: a mini review.

Humer, Bart, Dik, Willem A, Versnel, Marjan A·Frontiers in immunology·2025

This review explores how a single severe infection might trigger long-term changes in the immune system that could lead to ME/CFS. After infection, immune cells can become 'trained' to overreact to future triggers, potentially causing the chronic symptoms patients experience. The researchers suggest this overactive immune response might explain why about 60% of ME/CFS patients remember getting sick before their symptoms started.

Immune SystemPost-Exertional Malaise

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM unclearCase-Control

HERV Dysregulation in a Case of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis and Multiple Sclerosis Responsive to Rituximab.

Martín-Martínez, Eva, Gil-Perotin, Sara, Giménez-Orenga, Karen et al.·International journal of molecular sciences·2025

This study describes one patient who had ME/CFS and was later diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS). Doctors discovered that his blood had unusual patterns of human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs)—ancient viral-like sequences in our DNA that can sometimes affect immune function. Importantly, this patient improved significantly after receiving rituximab, a treatment that modifies the immune system, even though standard treatments had not worked for him.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryDiagnosticPEM unclearMethods-Paper

Deep Immunophenotyping in ME/CFS Using Spectral Flow Cytometry.

Gibson, Anton, Chometon, Thaize Q, Damani, Tanvi et al.·Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.)·2025

Researchers developed a new laboratory technique to examine immune cells in the blood of ME/CFS patients in much greater detail than previously possible. Using advanced flow cytometry, they simultaneously measured over 40 different markers on individual immune cells, allowing them to create a detailed map of immune system abnormalities in ME/CFS. This technique is like upgrading from a simple photograph to a high-resolution image, revealing much more about how immune cells are behaving.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM requiredReview-Narrative

Mechanistic Insights Into Long Covid: Viral Persistence, Immune Dysregulation, and Multi-Organ Dysfunction.

Gupta, Gautam, Buonsenso, Danilo, Wood, John et al.·Comprehensive Physiology·2025

This review examines how Long Covid causes persistent symptoms affecting multiple body systems. The research suggests that SARS-CoV-2 virus may hide in body tissues, trigger ongoing immune problems, and damage how cells produce energy, which could explain fatigue and post-exertion crashes. These mechanisms appear similar to ME/CFS, suggesting the two conditions may share common biological pathways.

NeuroinflammationImmune SystemPost-Exertional Malaise

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM requiredPreprintPreprint

Dissecting the genetic complexity of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome via deep learning-powered genome analysis.

Zhang, Sai, Jahanbani, Fereshteh, Chander, Varuna et al.·medRxiv : the preprint server for health sciences·2025

Researchers used advanced artificial intelligence to analyze the genes of ME/CFS patients and discovered 115 genes that may contribute to the disease. They found that people with ME/CFS have lower levels of these risk genes active in their immune cells and nervous system. This genetic analysis could eventually help doctors diagnose ME/CFS more accurately and identify new treatment targets.

BiomarkersImmune SystemCognitive ImpairmentPost-Exertional Malaise

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Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome, Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Long COVID as Neuroimmune Disorders.

Single-cell analysis reveals immune remodeling of monocytes, NK cells, T cell exhaustion, and Galectin-9-associated depletion of gamma delta and mucosal-associated invariant T cells in Long COVID with ME/CFS.

Virus-induced endothelial senescence as a cause and driving factor for ME/CFS and long COVID: mediated by a dysfunctional immune system.

Immunomodulatory and locomotor regulations via Diosgenin treatment in lipopolysaccharide-induced chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)/ depressive despair symptom: an in vivo assessment.

Proteomic signatures in cerebrospinal fluid and their clinical associations in patients with ME/CFS.

Genetic Insights into Circulating Complement Proteins in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Potential Inflammatory Subgroup.

Immunoglobulin G complexes from post-infectious ME/CFS, including post-COVID ME/CFS disrupt cellular energetics and alter inflammatory marker secretion.

Exploring a genetic basis for the metabolic perturbations in ME/CFS using UK biobank.

Using the Ratio of Phosphorylated to Non-phosphorylated Forms of Stress Kinase PKR as a Potential Diagnostic Test for ME/CFS.

Prevalence of EBV, HHV6, HCMV, HAdV, SARS-CoV-2, and Autoantibodies to Type I Interferon in Sputum from Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Patients.

The Gut-Brain-Immune Axis in Environmental Sensitivity Illnesses: Microbiome-Centered Narrative Review of Fibromyalgia Syndrome, Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and Multiple Chemical Sensitivity.

Causal Relationship Between Diet, Lipids, Immune Cells, and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Two-Mediation Mendelian Randomization Study.

Precision Medicine Study of Post-Exertional Malaise Epigenetic Changes in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Patients During Exercise.

Measurement of Genetic Variations in ME/CFS Patients in the IDO2 Gene Encoding an Enzyme Metabolizing Tryptophan.

Heat vs. Fatigue: Hyperthermia as a Possible Treatment Option for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS).

Advocating the role of trained immunity in the pathogenesis of ME/CFS: a mini review.

HERV Dysregulation in a Case of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis and Multiple Sclerosis Responsive to Rituximab.

Deep Immunophenotyping in ME/CFS Using Spectral Flow Cytometry.

Mechanistic Insights Into Long Covid: Viral Persistence, Immune Dysregulation, and Multi-Organ Dysfunction.

Dissecting the genetic complexity of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome via deep learning-powered genome analysis.

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