A Molecular Neurobiological Approach to Understanding the Aetiology of ME/CFS

[Murph]

A Molecular Neurobiological Approach to Understanding the Aetiology of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis or Systemic Exertion Intolerance Disease) with Treatment Implications.
Monro JA1, Puri BK2.
Author information
Abstract
Currently, a psychologically based model is widely held to be the basis for the aetiology and treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)/myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME)/systemic exertion intolerance disease (SEID). However, an alternative, molecular neurobiological approach is possible and in this paper evidence demonstrating a biological aetiology for CFS/ME/SEID is adduced from a study of the history of the disease and a consideration of the role of the following in this disease: nitric oxide and peroxynitrite, oxidative and nitrosative stress, the blood-brain barrier and intestinal permeability, cytokines and infections, metabolism, structural and chemical brain changes, neurophysiological changes and calcium ion mobilisation. Evidence is also detailed for biologically based potential therapeutic options, including: nutritional supplementation, for example in order to downregulate the nitric oxide-peroxynitrite cycle to prevent its perpetuation; antiviral therapy; and monoclonal antibody treatment. It is concluded that there is strong evidence of a molecular neurobiological aetiology, and so it is suggested that biologically based therapeutic interventions should constitute a focus for future research into CFS/ME/SEID.

 

[Murph]

Here's the conclusion of the paper

Strong evidence has been presented which points to a molec- ular neurobiological aetiology of CFS/ME/SEID. Accordingly, it is suggested that biologically based therapeu- tic interventions should constitute a focus for future research. As has been seen above, preliminary trial data already point to the efficacy of such an approach


This is just a summary/round-up, but it could be influential since it is from the UK, where such arguments still need making, and one of the authors is a Professor at Imperial College London, which is a highly regarded and influential institution. (Akin, if you like, to MIT if Oxford and Cambridge are Harvard.)

 

[CFS_for_19_years]

Link to the full paper:
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12035-018-0928-9