CFSMEATLAS — The Atlas of ME/CFS

135 studies

Showing 121–135 of 135 studies

E3 PreliminaryPEM ?PreliminaryReview-NarrativeMachine draft

[Immunopathogenesis of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS)].

Yamamura, Takashi, Ono, Hirohiko, Sato, Wakiro·Brain and nerve = Shinkei kenkyu no shinpo·2018

This study found that people with ME/CFS have unusual patterns of immune system chemicals (cytokines) in their blood and spinal fluid, and some patients have antibodies that attack their own bodies. When researchers treated some ME/CFS patients with a medication that removes certain immune cells called B cells, patients improved. This suggests that ME/CFS may be caused by the immune system mistakenly attacking the body.

Neuroinflammation Immune Dysregulation

E0 ConsensusPEM ?Moderate confidenceReview-NarrativeReviewed

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome - Evidence for an autoimmune disease.

Sotzny, Franziska, Blanco, Julià, Capelli, Enrica et al.·Autoimmunity reviews·2018

This review examines evidence that ME/CFS may be caused by the immune system attacking the body (autoimmune disease). Researchers found that people with ME/CFS have unusual immune patterns, including abnormal antibodies and changes in immune cells. Importantly, a treatment that removes certain immune cells (rituximab) helped about half of ME/CFS patients in clinical trials, suggesting an autoimmune mechanism in at least some people.

Metabolic Dysfunction Immune Dysregulation

E2 ModeratePEM ?PreliminaryMechanisticReviewed

Evidence of mitochondrial dysfunction and impaired redox signalling in a subgroup of patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome

Cara Tomas, Jessica Newton, Stuart Watson·The EPMA Journal·2017·n=25

This UK study analyzed mitochondrial function in immune cells from ME/CFS patients using the Seahorse assay. They found reduced ATP production capacity, impaired electron transport chain function, and altered redox signaling in a subgroup of ME/CFS patients compared to healthy controls.

Metabolic Dysfunction

E3 PreliminaryPEM ?PreliminaryReview-NarrativeMachine draft

The Neuroinflammatory Etiopathology of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS).

Glassford, Julian A G·Frontiers in physiology·2017

This article reviews research suggesting that ME/CFS may result from problems in how the nervous system and immune system interact. The author discusses how physical strain on the spine and nerves, combined with prolonged infections and immune activation, may trigger a chain reaction of inflammation in the brain and throughout the body. This inflammation can affect energy production, hormone balance, and how the body processes pain.

Neuroinflammation

E1 ReplicatedPEM ?Moderate confidenceObservationalReviewed

Cytokine signature associated with disease severity in chronic fatigue syndrome patients

Jose G. Montoya, Tyson H. Holmes, Jill N. Anderson et al.·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS)·2017·n=192

Stanford researchers measured 51 cytokines in 192 ME/CFS patients and 392 healthy controls. Seventeen cytokines were significantly elevated in ME/CFS, with TGF-beta most strongly associated with disease severity. More severe patients had higher cytokine levels, suggesting immune activation scales with illness burden.

Immune Dysregulation Biomarkers Severe ME

E3 PreliminaryPEM ?PreliminaryMechanisticMachine draft

Elevated Energy Production in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Patients.

Lawson, Nick, Hsieh, Chung-Han, March, Dana et al.·Journal of nature and science·2016

This study examined how cells in ME/CFS patients produce energy. Surprisingly, researchers found that patients' blood cells actually produced MORE energy (ATP) than healthy controls, but much of this energy came from sources other than mitochondria (the cell's power plants). The study suggests that ME/CFS fatigue may not be caused by a lack of energy, but rather by an abnormal way the body is producing energy.

E0 ConsensusPEM ?PreliminaryReview-NarrativeMachine draft

A Role for the Intestinal Microbiota and Virome in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS)?

Navaneetharaja, Navena, Griffiths, Verity, Wileman, Tom et al.·Journal of clinical medicine·2016

This review examines whether infections—particularly viruses in the gut—might trigger ME/CFS. The authors suggest that an imbalance in the gut's microbial and viral communities could be a key factor in developing the disease. They propose that understanding these gut infections could help identify better treatments and ways to prevent ME/CFS.

Immune Dysregulation

E3 PreliminaryPEM ✓PreliminaryMethods-PaperMachine draft

Assessment of ME/CFS (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome): A Case Study for Health Care Providers.

Brimmer, Dana J, Jones, James F, Boneva, Roumiana et al.·MedEdPORTAL : the journal of teaching and learning resources·2016

This study created an educational course to help medical students, physician assistants, and nursing students better understand ME/CFS and how to care for patients with this condition. The course used videos and slide presentations to teach about ME/CFS symptoms, diagnosis, and management. Students who completed the course showed improved knowledge about ME/CFS and developed more empathy for patients living with this illness.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E1 ReplicatedPEM ✓Moderate confidenceObservationalReviewed

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 Dysfunction Biomarkers

E0 ConsensusPEM ✓Higher confidenceGuidelineReviewed

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.

Diagnostics Post-Exertional Malaise

E3 PreliminaryPEM ✓PreliminaryMethods-PaperReviewed

Problems in defining post-exertional malaise.

Jason, Leonard A, Evans, Meredyth, So, Suzanna et al.·Journal of prevention & intervention in the community·2015

This study looked at how post-exertional malaise (PEM)—the characteristic worsening of symptoms after physical or mental effort—is measured in ME/CFS patients. Researchers asked 32 people with CFS to answer survey questions about PEM and found that small changes in how questions are worded can change whether someone is diagnosed with PEM. This suggests that the current ways of diagnosing this condition may not be reliable or consistent.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E2 ModeratePEM ?PreliminaryMechanisticReviewed

Neuroinflammation in Patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

Yasuhito Nakatomi, Kei Mizuno, Akira Ishii et al.·Brain, Behavior, and Immunity·2014·n=9

Japanese researchers used PET imaging with a neuroinflammation tracer (PK11195) in 9 ME/CFS patients and healthy controls. They found significantly elevated neuroinflammation signals across multiple brain regions in ME/CFS patients, particularly in the cingulate cortex, thalamus, and brainstem — areas regulating fatigue and cognition.

Neuroinflammation

E2 ModeratePEM ?PreliminaryReview-NarrativeReviewed

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

E2 ModeratePEM ✓PreliminaryObservationalReviewed

Benefit from B-Lymphocyte Depletion Using the Anti-CD20 Antibody Rituximab in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Øystein Fluge, Olav Mella, Ove Bruland et al.·PLoS ONE·2011·n=30

In this pilot RCT, 30 ME/CFS patients received rituximab (a B-cell depleting antibody used in cancer and autoimmune disease) or placebo. Two-thirds of the rituximab group showed clinical improvement, with delayed response patterns consistent with autoimmune disease mechanisms. The placebo group had minimal response.

Immune Dysregulation Interventions

E0 ConsensusPEM ✓Moderate confidenceReview-NarrativeReviewed

A review on cognitive behavorial therapy (CBT) and graded exercise therapy (GET) in myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) / chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS): CBT/GET is not only ineffective and not evidence-based, but also potentially harmful for many patients with ME/CFS.

Twisk, Frank N M, Maes, Michael·Neuro endocrinology letters·2009

This review challenges the common medical recommendation to treat ME/CFS with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and graded exercise therapy (GET). The authors argue that these treatments are not effective for ME/CFS and may actually harm many patients by worsening their symptoms, particularly through exercise-induced post-exertional malaise—a characteristic crash that occurs after physical activity. Instead, the review suggests that ME/CFS has biological causes that make intense exercise potentially dangerous rather than therapeutic.

Post-Exertional Malaise

← Previous

Explore by topic

PEM Immune Neuro Metabolic Biomarkers Severe ME Long COVID Cognitive

Evidence Atlas

Evidence Atlas

The research, structured.

[Immunopathogenesis of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS)].

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome - Evidence for an autoimmune disease.

Evidence of mitochondrial dysfunction and impaired redox signalling in a subgroup of patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome

The Neuroinflammatory Etiopathology of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS).

Cytokine signature associated with disease severity in chronic fatigue syndrome patients

Elevated Energy Production in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Patients.

A Role for the Intestinal Microbiota and Virome in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS)?

Assessment of ME/CFS (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome): A Case Study for Health Care Providers.

Metabolic features of chronic fatigue syndrome

Beyond Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Redefining an Illness

Problems in defining post-exertional malaise.

Neuroinflammation in Patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

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

Benefit from B-Lymphocyte Depletion Using the Anti-CD20 Antibody Rituximab in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

A review on cognitive behavorial therapy (CBT) and graded exercise therapy (GET) in myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) / chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS): CBT/GET is not only ineffective and not evidence-based, but also potentially harmful for many patients with ME/CFS.

Research Collections

Neuroinflammation Evidence

Metabolism & Mitochondria

Biomarkers

PEM-Specific Research