The Atlas of ME/CFS

The evidence, structured for people who need it most.

A structured evidence map for patients, clinicians, and researchers. Built for clarity. Built for limited energy. Built on science.

Explore the AtlasStart HereWhat is ME/CFS?

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Understand ME/CFS

Start with the basics: what ME/CFS is, what causes it, and why it has been so misunderstood.

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Evidence Atlas

Browse 12+ structured studies by topic, evidence level, and research paradigm. Filter by what matters to you.

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New to ME/CFS research? We've picked the five studies that give the clearest picture of the current science.

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The Paradigm Shift

How has the balance of biomedical vs. psychosomatic research shifted over the decades? Based on 60 public studies in the atlas.

All studies (60)87% biomedical
Biomedical 87%Neutral 13%Psychosomatic 0%
BiomedicalNeutralPsychosomatic

Decade by decade

1990s
0% / 0% / 0%
2000s
0% / 0% / 0%
2010s
100% / 0% / 0%
2020s
83% / 17% / 0%

Featured Studies

Landmark and recent papers, curated for the atlas.

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E1 ReplicatedPEM ✓Moderate confidence

Metabolic features of chronic fatigue syndrome

Robert K. Naviaux, Jane C. Naviaux, Kefeng Li et al.·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS)·2016·n=84

This study analyzed blood metabolites from 84 ME/CFS patients and 45 healthy controls using untargeted metabolomics. Researchers found 80% of the abnormal metabolites were decreased in ME/CFS patients, suggesting a hypometabolic state — the body running in energy conservation mode. The pattern resembled a 'dauer-like' state seen in organisms under stress.

Metabolic DysfunctionBiomarkers
E1 ReplicatedPEM ✓Moderate confidence

Cardiopulmonary exercise testing and post-exertional malaise in ME/CFS: A retrospective analysis

Staci R. Stevens, Christopher R. Snell, Jared N. Stevens et al.·Journal of Translational Medicine·2018·n=51

ME/CFS patients underwent two consecutive days of cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET). On the second day, patients showed significantly reduced VO2 max and anaerobic threshold compared to the first day — and compared to healthy and disease controls who recovered normally. This objective impairment matches the subjective PEM experience.

Post-Exertional MalaiseDiagnostics
E0 ConsensusPEM ✓Higher confidence

Beyond Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Redefining an Illness

Institute of Medicine Committee on the Diagnostic Criteria for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome·National Academies Press·2015

The US Institute of Medicine reviewed over 9,000 scientific articles to establish new diagnostic criteria for ME/CFS. The report introduced SEID (Systemic Exertion Intolerance Disease) as a proposed name and established that ME/CFS is a serious, chronic, complex systemic disease. New criteria require PEM, unrefreshing sleep, plus cognitive impairment or orthostatic intolerance.

DiagnosticsPost-Exertional Malaise
E2 ModeratePEM ?Preliminary

The neuroinflammatory hypothesis of chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis: an update

Jarred W. Younger, Linda Yan, Sean Mackey·Journal of Neuroinflammation·2014·n=18

Using thermography and brain temperature imaging at Stanford, this study found evidence consistent with neuroinflammation — specifically elevated brain temperature — in ME/CFS patients compared to healthy controls. Brain regions associated with pain and fatigue showed the strongest signal.

Neuroinflammation

Built on Trust

Six principles that guide every entry in the atlas.

Evidence-first

Every claim is anchored to a cited study. We show the evidence level so you can judge for yourself.

PEM-centered

Post-exertional malaise is the defining feature of ME/CFS. We flag whether each study accounts for it.

Uncertainty visible

We show what we don't know alongside what we do. Confidence labels and limitations are part of every entry.

Sources cited

Every study links to the original paper — DOI, PubMed, or journal — so you can verify everything.

Low-energy design

Quiet mode, readable summaries, and energy-rated entries so you can access the atlas at any capacity level.

Open knowledge

All atlas content is freely accessible. No paywalls, no registration, no dark patterns.