ICYMI: NIH Study Provides In-Depth Clues Into Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

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Chronic fatigue syndrome, or myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), is a multisystem disease. It can cause severe fatigue, sleep issues, cognitive and autonomic dysfunction, and worsening of symptoms following minor exertion — severely impacting daily life for six months or more. Research published February 21 in Nature Communications provides a deeper dive into the biological mechanisms underlying the syndrome.

The study, led by the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) and ultimately involving around 70 researchers, included 17 participants out of a pool of 200. The volunteers spent weeks at the NIH Clinical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, undergoing a barrage of tests from muscle biopsies to spending hours in metabolic chambers.

Many of the study’s findings aligned with what’s already known about the syndrome: ME/CSF is primarily a brain disorder, likely brought on by chronic immune dysfunction and gut microbiome changes. However, the paper provided deeper insights into the potential mechanisms underlying the condition, stoking interest in the syndrome.

Big Picture: Estimates from 2015 suggest ME/CFS could affect around two million people in the U.S. The exact cause of ME/CFS is unknown, but many cases develop after an acute infection. Although the study only included a small number of people, skewed towards healthier ME/CSF patients who could undergo the taxing study, this latest in-depth look into the syndrome may allow for new momentum for finding treatments. A National Institute for Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) working group is also designing a roadmap to set ME/CFS research priorities with hopes of moving closer to treatment development.

Read More: Clues to a better understanding of chronic fatigue syndrome emerge from a major study. NPR

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About the Author

Tristan Rivera

Tristan is the Editorial Production Associate for BrainFacts.org. He graduated from the Pennsylvania State University in 2018 with a degree in Biobehavioral Health and previously worked on advocacy and scientific training projects at the Society for Neuroscience.