Shedding Light on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS)

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Background

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), also called Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) is a disabling neurological condition affecting millions of people worldwide. ME/CFS is characterized by persistent and unexplained fatigue, post-exertional malaise, cognitive impairments, and a range of other symptoms such as pain, sleep disturbances, and gastrointestinal issues. Despite the significant impact on patients' lives and the number of sufferers, ME/CFS remains poorly understood, stigmatized, and lacks effective treatments.

ME/CFS can severely compromise the patient's ability to lead a normal life (school attendance, work, leisure activities, social life). The treatment for chronic fatigue syndrome focuses on improving symptoms. As such, patients must learn to apprehend their illness and develop coping mechanisms, such as avoiding or mitigating the triggers that cause severe episodes. However, these coping mechanisms can also lead to marginalization. In addition, poor social and medical recognition, as well as misdiagnosis, can lead to damaging impacts on the patient’s mental health.

To date, researchers haven’t found an obvious marker of the disease. Clinicians currently need a variety of medical tests to rule out other health problems that have similar symptoms. The cause of chronic fatigue syndrome is unknown, although there are many theories — ranging from viral infections to psychological stress. Some experts believe that chronic fatigue syndrome might be triggered by a combination of factors. Indeed, the pathophysiology of ME/CFS is complex and not yet fully understood. However, advances in neuroimaging have shown structural and functional abnormalities in the brains of ME/CFS patients, revealing alterations in connectivity, gray matter volume, and other features. Abnormal neuroinflammation has also emerged as playing a critical role in ME/CFS, with numerous studies documenting markers of brain inflammation in patients. Immune dysregulation is another area of active research in ME/CFS, with a growing body of evidence pointing to chronic immune activation and altered cytokine expression in patients. These immune findings may also be connected to the gut microbiome, which can modulate immune function and contribute to diverse health outcomes, including ME/CFS. Mitochondrial dysfunction has also been proposed as a potential mechanism underlying ME/CFS.

This Research Topic is dedicated to promoting awareness and understanding of this challenging illness, highlighting up-to-date scientific perspectives and discoveries. This collection is also an opportunity to reinforce and inform the conversation around this significant public health issue. By increasing scientific understanding of ME/CFS, we hope to identify new approaches to its diagnosis and management, so that ultimately, a cure for this enigmatic syndrome may be found. We solicit submissions that highlight the latest advancements in the understanding of ME/CFS. Potential themes for submissions include:

• neuroinflammation and immune dysregulation

• mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress

• potential interventions and management strategies for ME/CFS

• underlying mechanisms of ME/CFS

• development and progression of the disease

• Impact of the illness on the mental health of patients

• links/differences with Long COVID

• the management of symptoms

Keywords: Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, ME, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, CFS

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