ME/CFS Science
@mecfsskeptic.bsky.social
In-depth analysis of research on myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). Formerly known as ME/CFS Skeptic.
https://mecfsscience.org/
https://mecfsscience.org/
1) 🇩🇪 Some really good news! Germany plans to invest half a billion euros in research on diseases such as ME/CFS and Long Covid.
They are calling it "The National Decade Against Post-Infectious Diseases"
They are calling it "The National Decade Against Post-Infectious Diseases"
November 14, 2025 at 8:30 AM
1) 🇩🇪 Some really good news! Germany plans to invest half a billion euros in research on diseases such as ME/CFS and Long Covid.
They are calling it "The National Decade Against Post-Infectious Diseases"
They are calling it "The National Decade Against Post-Infectious Diseases"
1) Had a look at this paper on 'The clinical relevance of Mast Cell Activation in ME/CFS'.
Unfortunately, it's almost fully based on self-reported data and questionnaires.
There are still almost no studies that looked deeper into MCAS in ME/CFS using proper biological tests.
Unfortunately, it's almost fully based on self-reported data and questionnaires.
There are still almost no studies that looked deeper into MCAS in ME/CFS using proper biological tests.
November 13, 2025 at 8:55 AM
1) Had a look at this paper on 'The clinical relevance of Mast Cell Activation in ME/CFS'.
Unfortunately, it's almost fully based on self-reported data and questionnaires.
There are still almost no studies that looked deeper into MCAS in ME/CFS using proper biological tests.
Unfortunately, it's almost fully based on self-reported data and questionnaires.
There are still almost no studies that looked deeper into MCAS in ME/CFS using proper biological tests.
6) The authors are particularly interested in the gene RELN, which makes an extracellular matrix protein (Reelin) that influences synaptic plasticity.
It has previously been found to be elevated at the gene and protein levels in Long COVID, which was also the case here.
It has previously been found to be elevated at the gene and protein levels in Long COVID, which was also the case here.
November 12, 2025 at 10:08 AM
6) The authors are particularly interested in the gene RELN, which makes an extracellular matrix protein (Reelin) that influences synaptic plasticity.
It has previously been found to be elevated at the gene and protein levels in Long COVID, which was also the case here.
It has previously been found to be elevated at the gene and protein levels in Long COVID, which was also the case here.
5) The researchers also did RNA-sequencing to see which genes are upregulated.
In female patients, these were genes involved in neuronal differentiation and development such as ZNF469, BRINP2, and FEZF2.
In female patients, these were genes involved in neuronal differentiation and development such as ZNF469, BRINP2, and FEZF2.
November 12, 2025 at 10:08 AM
5) The researchers also did RNA-sequencing to see which genes are upregulated.
In female patients, these were genes involved in neuronal differentiation and development such as ZNF469, BRINP2, and FEZF2.
In female patients, these were genes involved in neuronal differentiation and development such as ZNF469, BRINP2, and FEZF2.
2) The authors also note significant differences between male and female patients. The latter had, for example, increased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6, TNF-α, and IFN-γ.
This was much less the case in male patients.
This was much less the case in male patients.
November 12, 2025 at 10:08 AM
2) The authors also note significant differences between male and female patients. The latter had, for example, increased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6, TNF-α, and IFN-γ.
This was much less the case in male patients.
This was much less the case in male patients.
2) The patients had reduced levels of lymphocytes but increased levels of innate immune cells such as monocytes and neutrophils.
The authors interpet this as a shift towards the myeloid lineage of immune cells.
The authors interpet this as a shift towards the myeloid lineage of immune cells.
November 12, 2025 at 10:07 AM
2) The patients had reduced levels of lymphocytes but increased levels of innate immune cells such as monocytes and neutrophils.
The authors interpet this as a shift towards the myeloid lineage of immune cells.
The authors interpet this as a shift towards the myeloid lineage of immune cells.
1) In-depth Canadian study on 78 Long Covid patients with ME/CFS. They compared these to 62 controls who were infected by SARS-CoV-2 but did not develop complications.
Too many findings to mention them all, but here are some interesting results...
Too many findings to mention them all, but here are some interesting results...
November 12, 2025 at 10:07 AM
1) In-depth Canadian study on 78 Long Covid patients with ME/CFS. They compared these to 62 controls who were infected by SARS-CoV-2 but did not develop complications.
Too many findings to mention them all, but here are some interesting results...
Too many findings to mention them all, but here are some interesting results...
4) There were 5 trial arms as shown in the graph below. Every group received computerized cognitive training except the control group that got video puzzles and games.
There was also a special control group that received a sham version of transcranial current stimulation.
There was also a special control group that received a sham version of transcranial current stimulation.
November 11, 2025 at 9:25 AM
4) There were 5 trial arms as shown in the graph below. Every group received computerized cognitive training except the control group that got video puzzles and games.
There was also a special control group that received a sham version of transcranial current stimulation.
There was also a special control group that received a sham version of transcranial current stimulation.
1) The results of RECOVER-NEURO are in!
It tested:
- computerized cognitive training
- cognitive-behavioral rehabilitation
- transcranial direct current stimulation
but no intervention showed significant improvement compared to a control group that did video puzzles and games.
It tested:
- computerized cognitive training
- cognitive-behavioral rehabilitation
- transcranial direct current stimulation
but no intervention showed significant improvement compared to a control group that did video puzzles and games.
November 11, 2025 at 9:25 AM
1) The results of RECOVER-NEURO are in!
It tested:
- computerized cognitive training
- cognitive-behavioral rehabilitation
- transcranial direct current stimulation
but no intervention showed significant improvement compared to a control group that did video puzzles and games.
It tested:
- computerized cognitive training
- cognitive-behavioral rehabilitation
- transcranial direct current stimulation
but no intervention showed significant improvement compared to a control group that did video puzzles and games.
2) Dysfunctional breathing (DB) refers to rapid, irregular, shallow breathing.
Normally, you see a linear rise in respiratory rate and an rapid increase in the amount of air that moves in/out of the lungs. With DB, there is an erratic increase and more variability.
Normally, you see a linear rise in respiratory rate and an rapid increase in the amount of air that moves in/out of the lungs. With DB, there is an erratic increase and more variability.
November 10, 2025 at 9:08 AM
2) Dysfunctional breathing (DB) refers to rapid, irregular, shallow breathing.
Normally, you see a linear rise in respiratory rate and an rapid increase in the amount of air that moves in/out of the lungs. With DB, there is an erratic increase and more variability.
Normally, you see a linear rise in respiratory rate and an rapid increase in the amount of air that moves in/out of the lungs. With DB, there is an erratic increase and more variability.
1) A new study by the group of Benjamin Natelson reports abnormal breathing patterns in ME/CFS patients during an exercise test.
42% met the criteria for dysfunctional breathing compared to 16% in controls.
42% met the criteria for dysfunctional breathing compared to 16% in controls.
November 10, 2025 at 9:08 AM
1) A new study by the group of Benjamin Natelson reports abnormal breathing patterns in ME/CFS patients during an exercise test.
42% met the criteria for dysfunctional breathing compared to 16% in controls.
42% met the criteria for dysfunctional breathing compared to 16% in controls.
1) Interesting letter in the Lancet Infectious Diseases.
It argues that Long Covid is a heterogeneous disease, so we need outcome measures that can assess multiple aspects reliably.
Otherwise, we risk falsely concluding that a treatment didn't work.
It argues that Long Covid is a heterogeneous disease, so we need outcome measures that can assess multiple aspects reliably.
Otherwise, we risk falsely concluding that a treatment didn't work.
November 9, 2025 at 2:30 PM
1) Interesting letter in the Lancet Infectious Diseases.
It argues that Long Covid is a heterogeneous disease, so we need outcome measures that can assess multiple aspects reliably.
Otherwise, we risk falsely concluding that a treatment didn't work.
It argues that Long Covid is a heterogeneous disease, so we need outcome measures that can assess multiple aspects reliably.
Otherwise, we risk falsely concluding that a treatment didn't work.
Here's the section where Fluge talks about the daratumumab research (see screenshot)
November 9, 2025 at 9:04 AM
Here's the section where Fluge talks about the daratumumab research (see screenshot)
1) 🇨🇦 Problematic letter in the Canadian journal BCMJ, stating:
"Patients with fibromyalgia and ME/CFS have a high proportion of childhood physical abuse, emotional neglect, and sexual trauma. This trauma contributes to profound attachment disruptions..."
"Patients with fibromyalgia and ME/CFS have a high proportion of childhood physical abuse, emotional neglect, and sexual trauma. This trauma contributes to profound attachment disruptions..."
November 9, 2025 at 8:34 AM
1) 🇨🇦 Problematic letter in the Canadian journal BCMJ, stating:
"Patients with fibromyalgia and ME/CFS have a high proportion of childhood physical abuse, emotional neglect, and sexual trauma. This trauma contributes to profound attachment disruptions..."
"Patients with fibromyalgia and ME/CFS have a high proportion of childhood physical abuse, emotional neglect, and sexual trauma. This trauma contributes to profound attachment disruptions..."
2) There was, however, one virus - the Human alphaherpesvirus 3, which was present in 6 out of 17 ME/CFS patients and none of the 7 controls.
Think this refers to the varicella zoster virus that causes chicken pox and shingles.
Think this refers to the varicella zoster virus that causes chicken pox and shingles.
November 8, 2025 at 3:06 PM
2) There was, however, one virus - the Human alphaherpesvirus 3, which was present in 6 out of 17 ME/CFS patients and none of the 7 controls.
Think this refers to the varicella zoster virus that causes chicken pox and shingles.
Think this refers to the varicella zoster virus that causes chicken pox and shingles.
1) New preprint from the Stanford group of Ron Davis.
They looked for 185 human viruses, and found traces of 17 viruses in patients or controls. "Surprisingly", the authors write "more viruses were found in the healthy controls than in the ME/CFS patients."
They looked for 185 human viruses, and found traces of 17 viruses in patients or controls. "Surprisingly", the authors write "more viruses were found in the healthy controls than in the ME/CFS patients."
November 8, 2025 at 3:06 PM
1) New preprint from the Stanford group of Ron Davis.
They looked for 185 human viruses, and found traces of 17 viruses in patients or controls. "Surprisingly", the authors write "more viruses were found in the healthy controls than in the ME/CFS patients."
They looked for 185 human viruses, and found traces of 17 viruses in patients or controls. "Surprisingly", the authors write "more viruses were found in the healthy controls than in the ME/CFS patients."
1) There's a new Medscape article on the ME/CFS treatment trials discussed at the IACFS/ME conference.
- Nacul is testing LDN in Canada
- Scheibenbogen is pursuing immunoadsorption in Germany
- Fluge is trialing daratumumab in Norway
- Sato is testing rituximab again in Japan
- Nacul is testing LDN in Canada
- Scheibenbogen is pursuing immunoadsorption in Germany
- Fluge is trialing daratumumab in Norway
- Sato is testing rituximab again in Japan
November 8, 2025 at 8:36 AM
1) There's a new Medscape article on the ME/CFS treatment trials discussed at the IACFS/ME conference.
- Nacul is testing LDN in Canada
- Scheibenbogen is pursuing immunoadsorption in Germany
- Fluge is trialing daratumumab in Norway
- Sato is testing rituximab again in Japan
- Nacul is testing LDN in Canada
- Scheibenbogen is pursuing immunoadsorption in Germany
- Fluge is trialing daratumumab in Norway
- Sato is testing rituximab again in Japan
1) Interesting figure showing where immune cells are located in the human body (mostly in the bone marrow and lymphatic system).
November 7, 2025 at 8:31 AM
1) Interesting figure showing where immune cells are located in the human body (mostly in the bone marrow and lymphatic system).
1) Interesting interview of Prof. Brian Hughes by David Tuller.
In his new book Hughes argues that psychology is not woke but that its methods are essentially conservative because it focuses on an individualistic view and ignores social context.
In his new book Hughes argues that psychology is not woke but that its methods are essentially conservative because it focuses on an individualistic view and ignores social context.
November 6, 2025 at 8:29 AM
1) Interesting interview of Prof. Brian Hughes by David Tuller.
In his new book Hughes argues that psychology is not woke but that its methods are essentially conservative because it focuses on an individualistic view and ignores social context.
In his new book Hughes argues that psychology is not woke but that its methods are essentially conservative because it focuses on an individualistic view and ignores social context.
2) There was a lot of individual variation as 8/30 ME/CFS patients and 12/30 Long Covid patients showed minimal to no symptom exacerbation.
The graph below shows the response for physical fatigue (controls = gray, ME/CFS = blue, LC= red).
The graph below shows the response for physical fatigue (controls = gray, ME/CFS = blue, LC= red).
November 5, 2025 at 10:55 AM
2) There was a lot of individual variation as 8/30 ME/CFS patients and 12/30 Long Covid patients showed minimal to no symptom exacerbation.
The graph below shows the response for physical fatigue (controls = gray, ME/CFS = blue, LC= red).
The graph below shows the response for physical fatigue (controls = gray, ME/CFS = blue, LC= red).
1) A new study looked at symptom exacerbations for 8 days after a 20-minute sub-maximal exercise test and compared ME/CFS and Long Covid patients with controls.
Changes were greatest in ME/CFS patients and in the first 3 days after exercise.
Changes were greatest in ME/CFS patients and in the first 3 days after exercise.
November 5, 2025 at 10:55 AM
1) A new study looked at symptom exacerbations for 8 days after a 20-minute sub-maximal exercise test and compared ME/CFS and Long Covid patients with controls.
Changes were greatest in ME/CFS patients and in the first 3 days after exercise.
Changes were greatest in ME/CFS patients and in the first 3 days after exercise.
1) Slide from Maya Dusenbery's presentation at the Canadian ME/CFS Conference yesterday.
She is the author of 'Doing Harm', a book that explores how women’s health has long been overlooked and dismissed within the medical system.
She is the author of 'Doing Harm', a book that explores how women’s health has long been overlooked and dismissed within the medical system.
November 5, 2025 at 8:22 AM
1) Slide from Maya Dusenbery's presentation at the Canadian ME/CFS Conference yesterday.
She is the author of 'Doing Harm', a book that explores how women’s health has long been overlooked and dismissed within the medical system.
She is the author of 'Doing Harm', a book that explores how women’s health has long been overlooked and dismissed within the medical system.
1) 🇦🇺 Interesting interview with molecular biologist Dr Daniel Missailidis.
He has been conducting ME/CFS research since 2016 at at La Trobe University, focusing on the intersection of energy metabolism and immune dysfunction.
He has been conducting ME/CFS research since 2016 at at La Trobe University, focusing on the intersection of energy metabolism and immune dysfunction.
November 3, 2025 at 9:20 AM
1) 🇦🇺 Interesting interview with molecular biologist Dr Daniel Missailidis.
He has been conducting ME/CFS research since 2016 at at La Trobe University, focusing on the intersection of energy metabolism and immune dysfunction.
He has been conducting ME/CFS research since 2016 at at La Trobe University, focusing on the intersection of energy metabolism and immune dysfunction.
For patients with Long Covid: you can now participate in a remote treatment trial of tirzepatide (a GLP-1 inhibitor also known as zepbound).
The study is organized by Scripps Research and aims to enroll 1000 participants.
The study is organized by Scripps Research and aims to enroll 1000 participants.
November 3, 2025 at 8:15 AM
For patients with Long Covid: you can now participate in a remote treatment trial of tirzepatide (a GLP-1 inhibitor also known as zepbound).
The study is organized by Scripps Research and aims to enroll 1000 participants.
The study is organized by Scripps Research and aims to enroll 1000 participants.
7) Similar results were seen on secondary outcomes such as an improvement of 2.9 points on the Chalder Fatigue Scale.
Also notable: the heart rate change during a passive standing test seemed to have worsened as it increased from 16 bpm to 24 bpm following HBOT.
Also notable: the heart rate change during a passive standing test seemed to have worsened as it increased from 16 bpm to 24 bpm following HBOT.
November 2, 2025 at 8:53 AM
7) Similar results were seen on secondary outcomes such as an improvement of 2.9 points on the Chalder Fatigue Scale.
Also notable: the heart rate change during a passive standing test seemed to have worsened as it increased from 16 bpm to 24 bpm following HBOT.
Also notable: the heart rate change during a passive standing test seemed to have worsened as it increased from 16 bpm to 24 bpm following HBOT.