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ME/CFS Research Recap 2012
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- Last Updated: 23 November 2015 23 November 2015
This is a recap of studies and relevant articles on ME/CFS published during 2012 (formerly posted on our News around the Web page).
Half of CFS patients with high HHV-6 & EBV titers improve 30% or better on Valcyte: Montoya (ProHealth) Review of a recent article, "Response to valganciclovir in chronic fatigue syndrome patients with human herpesvirus 6 and Epstein-Barr virus IgG antibody titers", published by Jose G Montoya, et al, in the Journal of Medical Virology, Oct 10, 2012;84(12), pp 1967-1974.
Longitudinal investigation of natural killer cells and cytokines in chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (BioMed Central, open access article, as PDF) Brenu et al, a research group from Australia which also included Dr. Daniel Peterson, a well-known CFS/ME specialist from Nevada, USA, studied Natural Killer (NK) cell cytotoxic activity, NK cell subsets and cytokines in patients with CFS/ME over the course of a 12 month period. Their research was published in the Journal of Translational Medicine, 2012, 10:88, and for the entire period of time, they consistently found altered regulation of immunological function, in particular reduced cytotoxic activity of innate immune cells, in CFS/ME patients.
Constellation of 5 immune markers—may be diagnostic for post-mono ME/CFS (ProHealth) ProHealth provides a summary about a study published in the Journal of Translational Medicine, Sept. 13, 2012, by a group of ME/CFS researchers at clinics in Canada and several US states that looked at broad range of cytokines in patients who had developed an infection with the same pathogen, Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV), and remained ill at 24 months post infection. The study was able differentiate these patients from recovered control subjects by identifying an atypical immune response in post-infection group.
Mitochondrial dysfunction and the pathophysiology of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) —link to original, full text article. [International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, published June 30, 2012; Volume 5, Issue 3:208-220] The authors of this study, Norman E Booth, Sarah Myhill, and John McLaren-Howard, found measurable mitochondrial dysfunction in white blood cells in all patients tested which correlated with the severity of the illness.
ME/CFS associated with later life non-Hodgkin lymphoma: Medicare statistics (ProHealth) An article based on a study, "Chronic fatigue syndrome and subsequent risk of cancer among elderly US adults" (Cancer, May 30, 2012) that looked at chronic immune activation or an infection in CFS which might explain this increased risk.
The NIH on ME/CFS in 2012: Pt II—the STUDIES! Cort Johnson, the creator of the Phoenix Rising website, writes about the challenges and rigorous procedures that investigators face when applying to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for research grants. This investigative piece includes a comprehensive list of ME/CFS research and clinical trials, in progress or about to end, funded by the NIH.
A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Randomized, Clinical Trial of the TLR-3 Agonist Rintatolimod in Severe Cases of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (PLoS ONE, Mar 14, 2012, link to free, open access, full text article) Research results from a 12-site clinical trial of rintatolimod (U.S. brand name, Ampligen) show objective improvement in severe CFS. Rintatolimod has been used to treat ME/CFS in Canada and several European countries since the late 1990s, but in the U.S. it has been met by many delays and conflicts.
Chronic fatigue syndrome and impaired peripheral pulse characteristics on orthostasis—a new potential diagnostic biomarker (Physiological Measurement, vol. 33, p. 231-241, 2012) An in-depth evaluation of pulse wave analysis in CFS patients and its potential use as illness biomarker.
Loss of capacity to recover from acidosis on repeat exercise in chronic fatigue syndrome: a case-control study (PubMed, Feb, 2012) Abstract of research published in the European Journal of Clinical Investigation that provides more evidence in how exercise impacts individuals with CFS differently from healthy controls.
Understanding the Immune System A good, basic explanation, with illustrations, of the immune system response prepared by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID). Once at the NIAID site, click/select desired subtopic to view from the left side bar.
List of videos or audios released by researchers during 2012 on various topics pertaining to ME/CFS:
Now Available for Viewing A series of videos made by Dr. Kenneth Friedman for cfsKnowledgeCenter, during 2012, covering physiological aspects of ME/CFS, causes, biomarkers, and more. Once at the ME-CFSCommunity home page (part of the cfsKnowledgeCenter organization), please follow their instructions on how to sign in and access the videos and other valuable information.
Dr. Peterson Says ‘Hold On, There's Hope' (Pro-Health) A video interview (approximately 11 minutes long) of leading ‘chronic fatigue syndrome' clinician Daniel Peterson, MD by ME/CFS Alert (episode 26) co-host Llewellyn King
VIDEO: ME/CFS Alert # 31— Virologist Konnie Knox (ProHealth) Llewellyn King interviews Konstance Knox, PhD, a renowned virologist from Milwaukee, who has collaborated with Dr. Dan Peterson on ME/CFS research since 1996. She has a particular interest in the neurocognitive component of this illness and reviews her theories on the role of viruses in ME/CFS as well as Fibromyalgia.
VIDEO: ME/CFS Alert #32: Staci Stevens explains post-exertion malaise testing (ProHealth) Llewellyn King features Staci Stevens, an exercise physiologist at the Pacific Fatigue Lab in Stockton, CA, who describes the testing process for post exertion malaise (PEM) and explains how it can provide objective evidence of PEM.
Fibromyalgia studies 2012
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- Last Updated: 08 November 2015 08 November 2015
This is a recap of studies and relevant articles on Fibromyalgia which were published during 2012 (formerly posted on our News around the Web page).
"Working Memory Impairment in Fibromyalgia Patients Associated with Altered Frontoparietal Memory Network" (PLoS One) A study conducted by Korean researchers using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to demonstrate differences in working memory between FM patients and healthy subjects.
“Cardiac autonomic impairment and chronotropic incompetence in fibromyalgia”
(da Cunha Ribeiro et al, Arthritis Research & Therapy 2011, 13:R190 doi:10.1186/ar3519) Research by a team of rheumatologists at University of Sao Paulo School of Medicine, Brazil, that found some patients with FM experienced various cardiac irregularities in response to exercise.
“Autonomic dysfunction in women with fibromyalgia” — an editorial in response to the article published by Ribeiro and colleagues in Arthritis Research & Therapy, supporting the finding of autonomic dysfunction at rest in FM patients.
Research on Fibromyalgia Skin Sensitivities (Fibromyalgia Network) Researchers provide answers about what might be causing itchy or burning sensations and other skin sensitivities frequently experienced in FM.
New Device Cuts Fibromyalgia Pain in Pilot Study (Clinical Psychiatry News Digital Network) Results from a small pilot study of FM patients who were treated with an investigational transcranial stimulation device designed to target a region deep in the brain linked to chronic pain.
Developments in Fibromyalgia Treatments 2012
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- Last Updated: 03 January 2016 03 January 2016
This group of articles, published in 2012 at various sources, evaluates status of commonly prescribed recommendations and treatments for Fibromyalgia.
"Fibro Doctors Chose Pfizer Over You "(Fibromyalgia Network, posted May 30, 2012) An editorial by Kristin Thorson, founder and editor of the Fibromyalgia Network, on the FibroCollaborative Roadmap for Change program. Disclaimer: This editorial is being provided as a source of information. The opinions expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily state or reflect the views of Massachusetts CFIDS/ME & FM Association.
"Fibro Out-of-Control?" (One of the free, sample articles available at Fibromyalgia Network) Dr. Charles Lapp and Dr. Carol Beals explain why FM symptoms get worse and offer ways to tackle.
"Increase in Diagnosis Rates and Penetration into New Markets Drives the Global Fibromyalgia Therapeutics Market, According to New Report by Global Industry Analysts, Inc." (PR Web) An article that takes a look at unmet medical needs for Fibromyalgia from a business standpoint.
"Low-Dose Naltrexone for Autoimmune Diseases and Fibromyalgia? The Unfinished Story" (ProHealth, Dec. 21, 2011)
“Milnacipran Beneficial for Fibromyalgia in Patients With Inadequate Response to Duloxetine” (Monthly Prescribing Reference (MPR) Review of two FM-specific medications (i.e., milnacipran (brand name, Savella) and duloxetine (brand name, Cymbalta) that includes study observations/ recommendations made by Dr. Lucinda Bateman at The Fatigue Consultation Clinic in Salt Lake City, UT.
"Omega-3 Trial Suggests 'a Nutritional Supplement Might Actually Make a Difference in Aging'" (ProHealth) An interesting article examining some of the benefits of supplemental omega-3 fatty acids as shown in a trial, "Omega-3 fatty acids, oxidative stress, and leukocyte telomere length: A randomized controlled trial," by Kiecolt-Glaser JK, et al. Ohio State University College of Medicine and College of Public Health; University of California, San Francisco, CA, published in Brain, Behavior, and Immunity, Sept. 23, 2012.
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Notice about names
The Massachusetts ME/CFS & FM Association would like to clarify the use of the various acronyms for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), Chronic Fatigue & Immune Dysfunction Syndrome (CFIDS) and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) on this site. When we generate our own articles on the illness, we will refer to it as ME/CFS, the term now generally used in the United States. When we are reporting on someone else’s report, we will use the term they use. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) and other federal agencies, including the CDC, are currently using ME/CFS.
Massachusetts ME/CFS & FM Association changed its name in July, 2018, to reflect this consensus.