• Welcome to Phoenix Rising!

    Created in 2008, Phoenix Rising is the largest and oldest forum dedicated to furthering the understanding of and finding treatments for complex chronic illnesses such as chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), fibromyalgia (FM), long COVID, postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS), and allied diseases.

    To become a member, simply click the Register button at the top right.

Dr Marshall-Gradisnik aims to develop a fast accurate commercial CFS test

leelaplay

member
Messages
1,576
Tom Kindlon's submission to CO-CURE was posted today Dec 28 09

I find this article potentially very exciting - a 3 year grant "to develop a commercially viable test kit to diagnose CFS faster and more accurately as well as establishing guidelines for diagnosis.

Interesting in that the lead, Dr Sonya Marshall-Gradisnik, is an Associate Professor of Biochemistry and Cell Biology

But also frustratingly vague - "We came up with potentially some markers that diagnose CFS" what markers??

and "Dr Marshall-Gradisnik said large research institutions, excited at the possible innovation to CFS diagnosis, had already contacted her and offered to collaborate on the project." which large institutions??

and in my darker moments a bit ominous perhaps?
-
- "Diagnosing CFS is a lengthy process costing the community hundreds of millions of dollars a year in consultations, treatments and lost work hours."

- 'We hope to unearth a quicker method of detection which will free up the health system and limit the cost to the community,'

- In 2002, the Royal Australian College of Physicians reported one in four people who visited their general practitioner complaining of fatigue were diagnosed with CFS. In the same year, the RACP predicted diagnosis, detection and ancillary services cost the Australian community in excess of $525 million.

(bolds are mine)
Academics work with locals to combat Chronic Fatigue

28 October 2009

Bond University and the community will team up for a revolutionary research
project aiming to unearth a faster diagnosis method for the debilitating
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS).

The University has put out the call for 150 locals aged 20 to 65-years-old
to take part in the world-first study, made possible through a $533,000
grant from the Queensland Governments Smart State program the first
Smart State Grant received by Bond - as well as a $90,000 National Grant
from the Mason Foundation to further investigate immunological dysfunction
in CFS patients.

Diagnosing CFS is a lengthy process costing the community hundreds of
millions of dollars a year in consultations, treatments and lost work
hours. Diagnosis is often drawn-out and frustrating for sufferers because
of the lack of suitable pathology tests.

Bond Universitys research team, headed by Associate Professor of
Biochemistry and Cell Biology Dr Sonya Marshall-Gradisnik
http://apps.bond.edu.au/staff/profile.asp?s_id=184, aims to develop a
commercially viable test kits to diagnose CFS faster and more accurately as
well as establishing guidelines for diagnosis. Research will be undertaken
at the Population, Health and Neuroimmunology Unit (PHANU)
http://www.bond.edu.au/faculties-co...ion-health-and-neuroimmunology-unit/index.htm.

We hope to unearth a quicker method of detection which will free up the
health system and limit the cost to the community,
said Dr Marshall-Gradisnik.

We came up with potentially some markers that diagnose CFS. Currently, diagnosis is based on the process of elimination, whereby patients undergo numerous tests that look at a multitude of possibilities it can take
months and is very tough on the patient.

Specifically, the University project requires 50 people diagnosed with CFS,
50 people who constantly feel exhausted but have not been diagnosed with
CFS, as well as 50 healthy people. The program will examine immunological
changes between the three groups and identify trends.

In 2002, the Royal Australian College of Physicians reported one in four
people who visited their general practitioner complaining of fatigue were
diagnosed with CFS.
In the same year, the RACP predicted diagnosis,
detection and ancillary services cost the Australian community in excess of
$525 million.

Dr Marshall-Gradisnik will spend three years undertaking the research
project. She will be assisted by Bond University Professor of General
Practice Mieke Van Driel, postgraduate student Ekua Brenu, Dr Donald
Staines from the Gold Coast Population Health Unit, and the Queensland
Statewide Scientific and Forensic Services Unit.

Dr Marshall-Gradisnik said large research institutions, excited at the
possible innovation to CFS diagnosis, had already contacted her and offered
to collaborate on the project.

Participants in the project must be available for 30 minute check-ups every
six months for two years, including a blood test. In return, volunteers
will receive a thorough assessment of their health and knowledge they are
participating in potentially world-wide medical advancement.

Volunteers will undergo an initial assessment before being accepted into
the project.

People interested in volunteering for the study should contact Dr
Marshall-Gradisnik on (07) 5595 4447.


Dr Sonya Marshall-Gradisnik
See Also
Population Health & Neuroimmunology Unit (PHANU)
Study Health Sciences & Medicine
 

Samuel

Senior Member
Messages
221
It looks potentially interesting, but vague. My morbid first impression was "another questionnaire asking us about our toilet training?" :/. But maybe they will actually draw a tube of blood and look at the results :). If, that is, that is cheaper than CBT/GET :/.

I hope that comment makes people smile wryly -- at worst :).

In general, we need to shift from "what NOW?" mode to "we are strong as a group and we demand NOW!" mode. And we can.
 

leelaplay

member
Messages
1,576
Oh how wonderful Susan. There is an eager audience here for anything you're able and willing to share about the experience.

I am going into this study. They have lots of money and working with WPI I believe. See her on Jan 15th
 

susan

Senior Member
Messages
269
Location
Gold Coast Australia
My friend has had her visit and she spent about 30 mins talking with her...told her Klimas is coming here in July August. Heard a whisper a wealthy lady with CFS is throwing any money they want...cant confirm that. I am going to take my test results I did with Metermetrex, Oraganic acid, stool and hair....show heaps of defects.
 

mgb

Messages
18
Hi I am also involved in this study. I had blood tests in december. They will be giving us some results around april. We were told that they will also be testing for XMRV.
 

Hysterical Woman

Senior Member
Messages
857
Location
East Coast
Hi I am also involved in this study. I had blood tests in december. They will be giving us some results around april. We were told that they will also be testing for XMRV.

Very exciting, mgb.

Would you be willing to share your information with us when you get it?

Thanks,

Maxine