ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

701–720 of 1,205 studies

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredMechanistic

Effect of Licorice polysaccharides before and after honey-processing on improving chronic fatigue syndrome and its mechanism.

Xia, Wenxin, Wang, Yushu, Tao, Mengxin et al.·International journal of biological macromolecules·2024

This study examined how processing licorice root with honey affects its ability to help with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). Researchers found that honey-processed licorice contains higher amounts of certain beneficial components and produced stronger improvements in immune markers (IL-2, IFN-γ, and IgA) compared to raw licorice. The honey processing appears to enhance the plant's natural ability to support the immune system.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Long Covid.

Zaidi, Asiya Kamber, Dehgani-Mobaraki, Puya·Progress in molecular biology and translational science·2024

Long COVID is a condition where people experience ongoing symptoms weeks or months after having COVID-19. This review examines what might cause Long COVID, including lingering virus in the body, problems with the immune system, and issues with blood vessels and nerves. The authors discuss how doctors can recognize and treat Long COVID, emphasizing that patients often need care from multiple specialists working together.

Immune SystemPost-Exertional Malaise

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM unclearMechanistic

Transcriptional reprogramming primes CD8+ T cells toward exhaustion in Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome.

Iu, David S, Maya, Jessica, Vu, Luyen T et al.·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·2024

This study found that certain immune cells called CD8+ T cells in people with ME/CFS show signs of exhaustion—they appear worn out and unable to function properly. Researchers used advanced techniques to examine the genes active in these cells and discovered that the cells have shifted into a state similar to what happens when the immune system fights a long-lasting infection. This exhaustion might explain some of the immune system problems seen in ME/CFS.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM unclearMechanistic

Catalytic Antibodies May Contribute to Demyelination in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Jensen, Michael Anthony, Dafoe, Miranda Lee, Wilhelmy, Julie et al.·Biochemistry·2024

Researchers found that some ME/CFS patients may have special antibodies in their blood that can break down myelin, the protective coating around nerves. This breakdown could explain nerve pain and muscle weakness in ME/CFS. The study also showed that a drug already approved for multiple sclerosis might be able to stop this harmful antibody activity.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryCommentaryPEM not requiredEditorial

What Makes It Tick: Exploring the Mechanisms of Post-treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome.

Wester, Kate E, Nwokeabia, Bianca C, Hassan, Rehana et al.·Cureus·2024

This article discusses Post-treatment Lyme disease Syndrome (PTLDS), a condition where some people experience lasting fatigue, pain, and thinking problems for more than six months after being treated with antibiotics for Lyme disease. The authors suggest these symptoms may result from the body's immune system continuing to react to damage caused by the Lyme bacteria, even after the infection is gone. Currently, there is no blood test or scan to diagnose PTLDS, so doctors rely on patient symptoms and medical history.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM unclearMechanistic

Altered TRPM7-Dependent Calcium Influx in Natural Killer Cells of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Patients.

Du Preez, Stanley, Eaton-Fitch, Natalie, Smith, Peter K et al.·Biomolecules·2023

This study looked at how calcium moves into immune cells called NK cells in ME/CFS patients compared to healthy people. Researchers found that calcium enters these cells differently in ME/CFS patients—it flows in more slowly when activated but responds more strongly when blocked. This suggests a problem with a specific calcium channel called TRPM7 that may be involved in why NK cells don't work properly in ME/CFS.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM requiredObservational

Clinical improvement of Long-COVID is associated with reduction in autoantibodies, lipids, and inflammation following therapeutic apheresis.

Achleitner, Martin, Steenblock, Charlotte, Dänhardt, Juliane et al.·Molecular psychiatry·2023

Researchers tested a treatment called therapeutic apheresis (a blood-cleaning procedure) in Long-COVID patients and found that those who improved had significant reductions in harmful immune molecules, fatty substances, and inflammatory markers in their blood. The study also showed that a blood protein called fibrinogen dropped by 70% after treatment, and abnormal blood clumping patterns disappeared. This suggests the treatment may work by removing specific harmful substances from the blood.

Immune SystemPost-Exertional Malaise

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

The Long Road of Long COVID: Specific Considerations for the Allergist/Immunologist.

Bellanti, Joseph A, Novak, Peter, Faitelson, Yoram et al.·The journal of allergy and clinical immunology. In practice·2023

Long COVID is a condition that develops after a COVID-19 infection and can cause symptoms affecting many parts of the body, including heart problems, blood clots, fatigue, and autoimmune issues. This review examines what causes Long COVID and which patients are most at risk, noting that certain groups like Hispanic and Latino communities face higher rates. The authors highlight that while vaccines help prevent severe acute COVID, we still need more research to understand how they affect Long COVID development and progression.

Immune SystemPost-Exertional Malaise

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM unclearObservational

Causal Effects between Gut Microbiome and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Two-Sample Mendelian Randomization Study.

He, Gang, Cao, Yu, Ma, Honghao et al.·Frontiers in microbiology·2023

This study used genetic analysis to investigate whether changes in gut bacteria might actually cause ME/CFS, rather than just being associated with it. Researchers found that two types of bacteria—Paraprevotella and Ruminococcaceae_UCG_014—appear to increase the risk of developing ME/CFS. These findings suggest that gut bacteria may play a role in how ME/CFS develops.

Gut MicrobiomeImmune System

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM unclearMechanistic

A Proposed New Model to Explain the Role of Low Dose Non-DNA Targeted Radiation Exposure in Chronic Fatigue and Immune Dysfunction Syndrome.

Cocchetto, Alan, Seymour, Colin, Mothersill, Carmel·International journal of molecular sciences·2023

This study proposes a theory about how radiation exposure might trigger ME/CFS in some patients. The authors suggest that low-level radiation causes a chain reaction in the body involving free radicals (damaging molecules) and immune dysfunction, possibly linked to skin and blood cell problems. They reviewed evidence from people exposed to radiation (like after Chernobyl) who developed ME/CFS symptoms, to build a biological model explaining how this might happen.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

αβ and γδ T-cell responses to Epstein-Barr Virus: insights in immunocompetence, immune failure and therapeutic augmentation in transplant patients.

Eiz-Vesper, Britta, Ravens, Sarina, Maecker-Kolhoff, Britta·Current opinion in immunology·2023

This review article examines how the immune system responds to Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV), a common virus that can cause chronic fatigue syndrome and other serious diseases. The authors focus on understanding why some people's immune systems fail to control EBV, particularly in transplant patients, and discuss potential treatments that could help strengthen the immune response against this virus.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Towards a Better Understanding of the Complexities of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Long COVID.

Tate, Warren P, Walker, Max O M, Peppercorn, Katie et al.·International journal of molecular sciences·2023

ME/CFS is a complex illness that typically starts after a viral infection, though other stressful events can also trigger it. This review explains that different patients experience different combinations of symptoms and respond differently to treatments—what helps one person may not help another. The authors discuss how the immune system may shift from a temporary response to a lasting problem, and how the brain's immune system may cause the neurological symptoms people experience.

NeuroinflammationImmune SystemPost-Exertional Malaise

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM requiredObservational

Atopy and Elevation of IgE, IgG3, and IgG4 May Be Risk Factors for Post COVID-19 Condition in Children and Adolescents.

Körner, Robert Walter, Bansemir, Ole Yannick, Franke, Rosa et al.·Children (Basel, Switzerland)·2023

This study examined 28 children and teens who developed long-lasting symptoms after COVID-19 infection. The researchers found that most patients had allergies and unusually high levels of immune proteins called IgE, IgG3, and IgG4. About three in ten patients also met criteria for ME/CFS, experiencing severe fatigue, breathing problems, and post-exertional malaise (feeling worse after activity). Most patients gradually improved over about a year, though some took longer to recover.

Immune SystemPost-Exertional Malaise

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM unclearMechanistic

Genetic risk factors for severe and fatigue dominant long COVID and commonalities with ME/CFS identified by combinatorial analysis.

Taylor, Krystyna, Pearson, Matthew, Das, Sayoni et al.·Journal of translational medicine·2023

Researchers studied the genetic differences between people with long COVID to understand why some develop severe symptoms while others mainly experience extreme fatigue. They found that certain genetic variations, especially in genes related to brain function and metabolism, may influence how the disease develops. Importantly, they discovered that some of the same genetic patterns appear in both long COVID and ME/CFS patients, suggesting these conditions may share similar underlying biological mechanisms.

Energy MetabolismImmune System

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Mitochondria: It is all about energy.

Casanova, Amaloha, Wevers, Anne, Navarro-Ledesma, Santiago et al.·Frontiers in physiology·2023

This review explains that mitochondria—the energy-producing structures in our cells—do much more than just make energy. They also help control sleep-wake cycles, interact with gut bacteria, and regulate the immune system. When mitochondria don't work properly, it may contribute to several diseases including ME/CFS, and the authors suggest that specific lifestyle and physiological strategies might help restore mitochondrial health.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Epstein-Barr virus-acquired immunodeficiency in myalgic encephalomyelitis-Is it present in long COVID?

Ruiz-Pablos, Manuel, Paiva, Bruno, Zabaleta, Aintzane·Journal of translational medicine·2023

This study proposes that a virus called Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) may play a central role in both ME/CFS and long COVID by gradually weakening the immune system. The researchers suggest that in people with certain genetic traits, EBV can hide in various body tissues and repeatedly reactivate, causing ongoing inflammation and exhaustion of the immune system. They hypothesize that long COVID may follow a similar pattern, possibly starting with a COVID-19 infection in people whose immune systems struggle to control EBV.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM unclearMechanistic

Suppressed immune and metabolic responses to intestinal damage-associated microbial translocation in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome.

Uhde, Melanie, Indart, Alyssa C, Green, Peter H R et al.·Brain, behavior, & immunity - health·2023

This study found that people with ME/CFS have a weakened immune response to bacteria that leak through a damaged gut lining, along with unusual changes in how their bodies process glucose and other nutrients. The immune system appears to be suppressed in some ways while overactive in others, and these patterns were linked to metabolic changes. These findings suggest that gut health and metabolic dysfunction may play important roles in ME/CFS symptoms.

Energy MetabolismImmune SystemPost-Exertional Malaise

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Are fibrinaloid microclots a cause of autoimmunity in Long Covid and other post-infection diseases?

Kell, Douglas B, Pretorius, Etheresia·The Biochemical journal·2023

This study proposes that in Long COVID and other post-infection diseases, a blood protein called fibrinogen can fold into an abnormal shape that forms sticky clots called fibrinaloids. These unusual clots may trigger the immune system to attack the body's own tissues (autoimmunity) because the abnormal folding creates new structures the immune system doesn't recognize. The authors suggest this process is similar to what happens in prion diseases and other protein-misfolding conditions.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Whole-body cryotherapy as a treatment for chronic medical conditions?

Tabisz, Hanna, Modlinska, Aleksandra, Kujawski, Sławomir et al.·British medical bulletin·2023

This review article examines whole-body cryotherapy (WBC)—exposing your entire body to very cold temperatures—as a possible treatment for various chronic conditions, including ME/CFS. The authors suggest that because WBC appears to reduce inflammation in the body, it might help conditions involving persistent inflammation. However, they emphasize that current research quality is low and that proper clinical trials are needed before we can know if WBC actually works.

NeuroinflammationImmune System

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Autoantibody Correlation Signatures in Fibromyalgia and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Association with Symptom Severity.

Ryabkova, Varvara A, Gavrilova, Natalia Y, Poletaeva, Alina A et al.·Biomedicines·2023

This study looked at immune system antibodies in people with ME/CFS, particularly those who also have fibromyalgia. Researchers measured 33 different types of natural antibodies in patients' blood and found that people with ME/CFS had unusual patterns of these antibodies, especially ones targeting GABA receptors in the brain. While the overall antibody levels didn't always differ from healthy controls, the way these antibodies related to each other was different, and certain patterns correlated with fatigue, pain, and mood symptoms.

Immune System

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Effect of Licorice polysaccharides before and after honey-processing on improving chronic fatigue syndrome and its mechanism.

Long Covid.

Transcriptional reprogramming primes CD8+ T cells toward exhaustion in Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome.

Catalytic Antibodies May Contribute to Demyelination in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

What Makes It Tick: Exploring the Mechanisms of Post-treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome.

Altered TRPM7-Dependent Calcium Influx in Natural Killer Cells of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Patients.

Clinical improvement of Long-COVID is associated with reduction in autoantibodies, lipids, and inflammation following therapeutic apheresis.

The Long Road of Long COVID: Specific Considerations for the Allergist/Immunologist.

Causal Effects between Gut Microbiome and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Two-Sample Mendelian Randomization Study.

A Proposed New Model to Explain the Role of Low Dose Non-DNA Targeted Radiation Exposure in Chronic Fatigue and Immune Dysfunction Syndrome.

αβ and γδ T-cell responses to Epstein-Barr Virus: insights in immunocompetence, immune failure and therapeutic augmentation in transplant patients.

Towards a Better Understanding of the Complexities of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Long COVID.

Atopy and Elevation of IgE, IgG3, and IgG4 May Be Risk Factors for Post COVID-19 Condition in Children and Adolescents.

Genetic risk factors for severe and fatigue dominant long COVID and commonalities with ME/CFS identified by combinatorial analysis.

Mitochondria: It is all about energy.

Epstein-Barr virus-acquired immunodeficiency in myalgic encephalomyelitis-Is it present in long COVID?

Suppressed immune and metabolic responses to intestinal damage-associated microbial translocation in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome.

Are fibrinaloid microclots a cause of autoimmunity in Long Covid and other post-infection diseases?

Whole-body cryotherapy as a treatment for chronic medical conditions?

Autoantibody Correlation Signatures in Fibromyalgia and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Association with Symptom Severity.

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