ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

781–800 of 1,186 studies

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) reactivation and therapeutic inhibitors.

Kerr, Jonathan R·Journal of clinical pathology·2019

This review examines how Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), a common virus that most people catch at some point in their lives, can become active again in the body—especially during stress—and may contribute to ME/CFS and other illnesses. The authors discuss ways to test for active EBV and review existing medications and supplements that might help prevent the virus from reactivating.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM unclearMechanistic

Epstein-Barr Virus dUTPase Induces Neuroinflammatory Mediators: Implications for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Williams PhD, Marshall V, Cox, Brandon, Lafuse PhD, William P et al.·Clinical therapeutics·2019

This study explores whether a protein from the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) may trigger brain inflammation in ME/CFS patients. Researchers found that this viral protein can change how brain cells function and alter important chemical pathways involved in energy, mood, and pain processing. The findings suggest that in some ME/CFS patients, this viral protein might contribute to fatigue, pain, and thinking difficulties.

Immune SystemNeuroinflammation

E3 PreliminaryCommentaryPEM unclearEditorial

Recent advances in our understanding of mast cell activation - or should it be mast cell mediator disorders?

Theoharides, Theoharis C, Tsilioni, Irene, Ren, Huali·Expert review of clinical immunology·2019

Mast cells are immune cells in your body that release chemical messengers (mediators) in response to many different triggers—not just allergies. When these cells release too many mediators, they can cause widespread symptoms affecting multiple body systems, including the brain and nervous system. This review suggests that doctors should look for elevated levels of these chemical messengers to help diagnose and treat these conditions, rather than waiting for the traditional markers (like histamine and tryptase) that don't always show up.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

Oxidative stress in exercise training: the involvement of inflammation and peripheral signals.

Magherini, Francesca, Fiaschi, Tania, Marzocchini, Riccardo et al.·Free radical research·2019

When we exercise, our bodies produce harmful molecules called free radicals that can damage cells. While some free radicals are normal and needed for muscle function, too many can cause problems. This review explains how intense exercise, stress, and not eating enough can create excessive free radicals and inflammation, which might lead to chronic fatigue and overtraining syndrome—conditions where the body cannot recover properly from exercise.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM unclearMechanistic

Naltrexone Restores Impaired Transient Receptor Potential Melastatin 3 Ion Channel Function in Natural Killer Cells From Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Patients.

Cabanas, Helene, Muraki, Katsuhiko, Staines, Donald et al.·Frontiers in immunology·2019

This study looked at a protein channel called TRPM3 in immune cells from ME/CFS patients and found it wasn't working properly. The researchers discovered that a drug called naltrexone (an opioid blocker used off-label for ME/CFS) could restore the function of this damaged channel in laboratory tests. This finding suggests naltrexone may help ME/CFS symptoms by fixing this broken immune mechanism.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Investigating the aetiology of adverse events following HPV vaccination with systems vaccinology.

Campbell-Tofte, Joan, Vrahatis, Aristidis, Josefsen, Knud et al.·Cellular and molecular life sciences : CMLS·2019

This paper proposes a research approach to investigate whether HPV vaccine can cause ME/CFS-like symptoms in some people. The authors suggest using detailed blood and immune system tests to compare vaccinated people who experienced problems with unvaccinated people who have similar symptoms, to see if the vaccine is actually responsible. This type of detailed comparison could help identify who might be at risk and provide objective evidence about vaccine safety.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredObservational

Network structure underpinning (dys)homeostasis in chronic fatigue syndrome; Preliminary findings.

Clark, James E, Ng, Wan-Fai, Rushton, Stephen et al.·PloS one·2019

This study looked at how three key body systems (nervous system, stress hormone system, and immune system) work together in ME/CFS patients compared to healthy people. Researchers measured blood pressure, heart rate, and stress hormones at rest, then used a special mathematical approach to map how these measurements connect to each other. They found that in ME/CFS patients, these connections form a different pattern than in healthy controls, with a few key measurements being especially influential.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM unclearObservational

Modification of Immunological Parameters, Oxidative Stress Markers, Mood Symptoms, and Well-Being Status in CFS Patients after Probiotic Intake: Observations from a Pilot Study.

Venturini, Letizia, Bacchi, Sara, Capelli, Enrica et al.·Oxidative medicine and cellular longevity·2019

This study tested whether taking a specific combination of probiotic supplements (beneficial bacteria) could help people with ME/CFS. Researchers measured changes in immune function, inflammation markers, oxidative stress, and mood before and after patients took probiotics. The results showed improvements in well-being and reductions in inflammatory markers, though one patient experienced a temporary worsening of fatigue symptoms.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS): Suggestions for a nutritional treatment in the therapeutic approach.

Bjørklund, Geir, Dadar, Maryam, Pen, Joeri J et al.·Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie·2019

This review article examines how nutrition might play a role in chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). The authors found that people with CFS often have low levels of certain vitamins and minerals—like vitamin C, B vitamins, magnesium, zinc, and others—and that these deficiencies may make CFS symptoms worse. The review suggests that nutritional support could be an important part of treating CFS alongside other medical approaches.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Advances in Understanding the Pathophysiology of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Komaroff, Anthony L·JAMA·2019

This 2019 review by a leading ME/CFS researcher summarises what was known about the biological mechanisms underlying ME/CFS, reported findings across multiple research areas including immune dysfunction, metabolic abnormalities, and neurological changes. The review does not present new experimental data but rather synthesises existing literature to help clinicians and patients understand the disorder's biological basis. Because this is a review article rather than a new study, the findings discussed represent a snapshot of knowledge at that time and remain subject to ongoing debate.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Myalgic encephalomyelitis or chronic fatigue syndrome: how could the illness develop?

Morris, Gerwyn, Maes, Michael, Berk, Michael et al.·Metabolic brain disease·2019

This 2019 review proposes a theoretical model for how ME/CFS might develop, starting with infection and progressing through chronic inflammation, gut barrier changes, and immune system exhaustion. The authors suggest that a combination of genetic vulnerability and post-infection triggers could lead to the constellation of symptoms patients experience. However, this is a conceptual framework based on existing research literature, not new experimental evidence, and key aspects of the model remain untested in ME/CFS populations.

Immune SystemNeuroinflammation

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Recent insights into innate and adaptive immune responses to Giardia.

Singer, Steven M, Fink, Marc Y, Angelova, Vanessa V·Advances in parasitology·2019

This review examines how the body's immune system responds to infection with Giardia, a parasite that causes diarrhea and other gastrointestinal symptoms. Researchers have discovered that Giardia infection can lead to long-term complications including chronic fatigue syndrome and irritable bowel syndrome in some people. Understanding how the immune system fights Giardia may help explain why some infections lead to these persistent conditions and could guide development of better treatments or vaccines.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome as a Hyper-Regulated Immune System Driven by an Interplay Between Regulatory T Cells and Chronic Human Herpesvirus Infections.

Sepúlveda, Nuno, Carneiro, Jorge, Lacerda, Eliana et al.·Frontiers in immunology·2019

This study suggests that ME/CFS may develop when the body's immune system becomes overprotective in response to common viruses like EBV, HSV-1, or HHV-6. Normally, the immune system fights off infections and then settles down, but in ME/CFS patients, special immune cells called Tregs may keep the immune system in a constant state of alert. Using computer models, researchers showed how this could lead to ongoing inflammation and fatigue.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM requiredObservational

Exercise-induce hyperalgesia, complement system and elastase activation in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome - a secondary analysis of experimental comparative studies.

Polli, Andrea, Van Oosterwijck, Jessica, Meeus, Mira et al.·Scandinavian journal of pain·2019

This study explored whether exercise-triggered immune system changes in ME/CFS patients are connected to increased pain sensitivity. Researchers compared immune markers and pain thresholds in ME/CFS patients and healthy people before and after two different types of exercise. They found a link between changes in a immune protein called C4a and pain sensitivity in ME/CFS patients, but this connection was weak and only showed up in some measurements.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

The putative role of oxidative stress and inflammation in the pathophysiology of sleep dysfunction across neuropsychiatric disorders: Focus on chronic fatigue syndrome, bipolar disorder and multiple sclerosis.

Morris, Gerwyn, Stubbs, Brendon, Köhler, Cristiano A et al.·Sleep medicine reviews·2018

This review explores why people with ME/CFS, bipolar disorder, and multiple sclerosis often have severe sleep problems. The authors suggest that inflammation and stress in the body's cells may damage the brain's ability to control sleep and daily rhythms. They propose that when the immune system stays activated, it can trigger harmful processes that disrupt sleep, which then makes inflammation worse—creating a harmful cycle.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Stress, inflammation and natural treatments.

Theoharides, T C, Kavalioti, M·Journal of biological regulators and homeostatic agents·2018

This study explores how stress and inflammation work together to cause several conditions including ME/CFS, fibromyalgia, and others. The researchers found that immune cells called mast cells and brain cells called microglia may communicate in ways that trigger inflammation during stress. They suggest that a natural supplement combining luteolin and Ashwagandha might help reduce this inflammation and benefit patients with these conditions.

Immune SystemNeuroinflammation

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Autonomic dysfunction and HPV immunization: an overview.

Blitshteyn, Svetlana, Brinth, Louise, Hendrickson, Jeanne E et al.·Immunologic research·2018

This review looked at case reports from multiple countries describing people who developed serious symptoms after HPV vaccination, including extreme fatigue, pain, dizziness, and cognitive problems. These symptoms are similar to those seen in ME/CFS, POTS, and other conditions. The authors suggest that in some genetically vulnerable people, the vaccine might trigger an immune system response that affects the nervous system, but they emphasize that timing alone doesn't prove the vaccine caused the illness.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM unclearObservational

The expression signature of very long non-coding RNA in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome.

Yang, Chin-An, Bauer, Sandra, Ho, Yu-Chen et al.·Journal of translational medicine·2018

Researchers looked at special molecules called very long non-coding RNAs in the blood of ME/CFS patients to see if they might be disease markers. They found that three of these RNA molecules (NTT, MIAT, and EmX2OS) were present at higher levels in ME/CFS patients compared to healthy people, and two of them (NTT and EmX2OS) increased with disease severity. When they tested these findings in lab cells exposed to oxidative stress and viral signals, the RNA levels increased, suggesting these molecules respond to the kinds of biological stresses that may occur in ME/CFS.

BiomarkersImmune System

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM unclearMechanistic

Immunoadsorption to remove ß2 adrenergic receptor antibodies in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome CFS/ME.

Scheibenbogen, Carmen, Loebel, Madlen, Freitag, Helma et al.·PloS one·2018

This small study tested whether a blood-cleaning procedure called immunoadsorption could help ME/CFS patients who have specific antibodies attacking their nervous system. Ten patients received this treatment over 5 days, and seven reported symptom improvement during the procedure. Three patients had improvements lasting 6-12+ months, suggesting the treatment may help some people, though more research is needed.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Integration of DNA methylation & health scores identifies subtypes in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome.

de Vega, Wilfred C, Erdman, Lauren, Vernon, Suzanne D et al.·Epigenomics·2018

Researchers studied 70 women with ME/CFS and found that their DNA showed different chemical patterns in immune cells. These chemical differences matched up with specific symptoms and health problems that patients reported. The study identified four distinct subtypes of ME/CFS, each with its own pattern of DNA changes and symptom profile, suggesting that ME/CFS may not be one uniform condition but rather several related conditions with different underlying biology.

Immune SystemPost-Exertional Malaise

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Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) reactivation and therapeutic inhibitors.

Epstein-Barr Virus dUTPase Induces Neuroinflammatory Mediators: Implications for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Recent advances in our understanding of mast cell activation - or should it be mast cell mediator disorders?

Oxidative stress in exercise training: the involvement of inflammation and peripheral signals.

Naltrexone Restores Impaired Transient Receptor Potential Melastatin 3 Ion Channel Function in Natural Killer Cells From Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Patients.

Investigating the aetiology of adverse events following HPV vaccination with systems vaccinology.

Network structure underpinning (dys)homeostasis in chronic fatigue syndrome; Preliminary findings.

Modification of Immunological Parameters, Oxidative Stress Markers, Mood Symptoms, and Well-Being Status in CFS Patients after Probiotic Intake: Observations from a Pilot Study.

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS): Suggestions for a nutritional treatment in the therapeutic approach.

Advances in Understanding the Pathophysiology of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Myalgic encephalomyelitis or chronic fatigue syndrome: how could the illness develop?

Recent insights into innate and adaptive immune responses to Giardia.

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome as a Hyper-Regulated Immune System Driven by an Interplay Between Regulatory T Cells and Chronic Human Herpesvirus Infections.

Exercise-induce hyperalgesia, complement system and elastase activation in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome - a secondary analysis of experimental comparative studies.

The putative role of oxidative stress and inflammation in the pathophysiology of sleep dysfunction across neuropsychiatric disorders: Focus on chronic fatigue syndrome, bipolar disorder and multiple sclerosis.

Stress, inflammation and natural treatments.

Autonomic dysfunction and HPV immunization: an overview.

The expression signature of very long non-coding RNA in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome.

Immunoadsorption to remove ß2 adrenergic receptor antibodies in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome CFS/ME.

Integration of DNA methylation & health scores identifies subtypes in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome.

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