Washington, DC – A groundbreaking study conducted by the US National Institutes of Health has shed light on the biological underpinnings of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), also known as myalgic encephalomyelitis, or ME/CFS. While many doctors had previously dismissed ME/CFS as a psychosomatic condition, this study reveals undeniable biological differences in patients with the syndrome.
Led by neurologist Avindra Nath, the study involved a comprehensive investigation of 17 individuals who developed ME/CFS following an infection. Through a series of rigorous tests and analyses, researchers found distinct biological changes affecting multiple organ systems in the participants.
The study participants underwent various tests, including brain scans, sleep studies, muscle strength assessments, and gut microbiome analyses. Results showed that individuals with ME/CFS exhibited higher resting heart rates, altered immune responses, and less diverse gut bacteria compared to healthy controls.
Despite normal performance on cognitive tests, individuals with ME/CFS exhibited lower levels of certain chemicals in their cerebrospinal fluid and reduced activity in a brain region responsible for movement. These findings suggest a physiological basis for the fatigue experienced by individuals with ME/CFS.
While the study has been praised for its thoroughness, some ME/CFS advocacy groups have raised concerns about the exclusion of certain core features of the condition, such as post-exertional malaise. However, the researchers defended their approach, explaining that the study aimed to identify meaningful differences in a small group of patients for further investigation.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the researchers were unable to recruit the originally planned 40 patients for the study. Nevertheless, the findings lay a solid foundation for future research on ME/CFS and potential treatments for the condition. The study has been published in Nature Communications, showcasing the significance of this research in advancing our understanding of ME/CFS.