I'm trying to find out whether the MRC has ever funded biomedical research into ME/CFS. I've had a look, but could see no posting.
Currently the MRC has put ME/CFS as a priority research area, with Stephen Holgate as chair of the MRC CFS/ME Expert Group. Recently Annette Brooke MP, led an adjournment debate in the house of commons, where she ask the Health Minister Gillian Merron about this very issue.
Health Minister's statement on MRC & funding.
http://www.parliament.the-stationery-office.co.uk/pa/cm200910/cmhansrd/cm100223/debtext/100223-0023.htm
Although the Minister indicates that funding has been given for this particular area, she fails to mention which area she means. ME/CFS or biomedical research into ME/CFS?
Looking at the MRC Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis web page, they list the following completed and current studies. http://www.mrc.ac.uk/Ourresearch/ResearchInitiatives/CFSME/index.htm#P49_3252
The only study I can see which may involve biomedical research is the one at Queen Mary College, University of London. General and specific risk markers & preventive factors for chronic fatigue and irritable bowel syndromes. After digging a little, I found the following:
http://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:Vc5X4DViAXYJ:www.pacetrial.org/docs/participantsnewsletter3.pdf+Dr+C+Clark+risk+markers+cfs+me+pace&hl=en&gl=uk&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEEShbrJvkgY50M0Hb023hmrIMhMuo7QtqW3C7_GWdjfWnDDUki3lQGe0ctl58riHUrKpAqY1Yyrnqb9nyXv0Gdk3rmkfHfzZkEOBVGzBww55MKJgwtPKXH8X7q8gdZPKZVLLF95jK&sig=AHIEtbTiVQMA1SAxws8_qGneo1OxsWABtw
and this from the Centre for Psychiatry.
http://www.wolfson.qmul.ac.uk/psychiatry/research/pr/
This section caught my eye.
Does anyone have further information on this study? Is it in any way a biomedical research study?
I'm going to assume for now that it won't be, and end with the following.
I am aware that the APPG on ME will be taking a closer look at the MRC, but for now government Health minister are willing to, at best mislead a member of parliament, at worst lie to them. It will be interesting to see what the new Government does with question of this nature in the future. I think I will try to get my local MP to find out, get them to ask a direct question, what biomedical research has the MRC funded into ME/CFS?
Currently the MRC has put ME/CFS as a priority research area, with Stephen Holgate as chair of the MRC CFS/ME Expert Group. Recently Annette Brooke MP, led an adjournment debate in the house of commons, where she ask the Health Minister Gillian Merron about this very issue.
Health Minister's statement on MRC & funding.
http://www.parliament.the-stationery-office.co.uk/pa/cm200910/cmhansrd/cm100223/debtext/100223-0023.htm
The MRC is one of the main public funders of medical research, receiving its funding through grant-in-aid from the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. The MRC remains committed to supporting scientific research into all aspects of ME, including evaluations of treatments and studies of the biological basis of the condition.
In 2008-09, the MRC spent 728,000 supporting four separate projects in this particular area. Nevertheless, we recognise there is scope for an expanded research programme for ME. The MRC has set up an expert group, chaired by Professor Stephen Holgate, to consider how best to encourage new research into ME, and how to bring researchers from associated areas into the field. The expert group arranged a small research workshop on ME at the end of last year, and the results will be published on the MRC website in due course. We also need to address the fact that not enough proposals for research are coming forward for consideration.
Although the Minister indicates that funding has been given for this particular area, she fails to mention which area she means. ME/CFS or biomedical research into ME/CFS?
Looking at the MRC Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis web page, they list the following completed and current studies. http://www.mrc.ac.uk/Ourresearch/ResearchInitiatives/CFSME/index.htm#P49_3252
Current
Dr C Clark. Queen Mary College, University of London.
General and specific risk markers & preventive factors for chronic fatigue and irritable bowel syndromes
Dr P White. Queen Mary College, University of London.
The PACE trial; A RCT of CBT, graded exercise, adaptive pacing and usual medical care for the chronic fatigue syndrome.
Completed
Professor K Bhui. Queen Mary College, University of London.
Chronic Fatigue & Ethnicity
Professor F H Creed. University of Manchester.
The feasibility of a population based study of CFS, IBS and CWP
Prof R K Morriss. University of Liverpool.
Exploratory RCT of training General Practitioners to mange patients with persistent Medically Unexplained Symptoms (MUS)
Dr A Wearden. University of Manchester.
Randomised controlled trial of nurse led self-help treatment for primary care patients with chronic fatigue syndrome
The only study I can see which may involve biomedical research is the one at Queen Mary College, University of London. General and specific risk markers & preventive factors for chronic fatigue and irritable bowel syndromes. After digging a little, I found the following:
http://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:Vc5X4DViAXYJ:www.pacetrial.org/docs/participantsnewsletter3.pdf+Dr+C+Clark+risk+markers+cfs+me+pace&hl=en&gl=uk&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEEShbrJvkgY50M0Hb023hmrIMhMuo7QtqW3C7_GWdjfWnDDUki3lQGe0ctl58riHUrKpAqY1Yyrnqb9nyXv0Gdk3rmkfHfzZkEOBVGzBww55MKJgwtPKXH8X7q8gdZPKZVLLF95jK&sig=AHIEtbTiVQMA1SAxws8_qGneo1OxsWABtw
General and specific risk markers and preventive factors for chronic fatigue and irritable bowel syndromes in a birth cohort. (Barts and the London, led by Charlotte Clark). This study has only just started so no results are yet available. The investigators will examine risks and preventative factors for CFS and irritable bowel syndrome in man thousands of people born in one week in the UK in 1958.
and this from the Centre for Psychiatry.
http://www.wolfson.qmul.ac.uk/psychiatry/research/pr/
This section caught my eye.
They are also strongly involved in local, national and international research networks and national (eg MRC Biomedical follow up of the 1958 Birth Cohort, being the coordinating centre of the multi-centre MRC funded PACE Trial for CFS).
Does anyone have further information on this study? Is it in any way a biomedical research study?
I'm going to assume for now that it won't be, and end with the following.
I am aware that the APPG on ME will be taking a closer look at the MRC, but for now government Health minister are willing to, at best mislead a member of parliament, at worst lie to them. It will be interesting to see what the new Government does with question of this nature in the future. I think I will try to get my local MP to find out, get them to ask a direct question, what biomedical research has the MRC funded into ME/CFS?