Clues to cause of chronic fatigue syndrome found in immune system
- An overactive immune system may have caused persistent fatigue in drug trial patients, suggesting it could be linked to debilitating illness CFS
- Researchers suggest the immune response might trigger changes in the brain, muscles or metabolism, but as yet the evidence is inconclusive
An overactive immune response appears to be a trigger for persistent fatigue, say researchers in a study that could shed light on the causes of chronic fatigue syndrome.
Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a debilitating long-term condition in which individuals experience exhaustion that is not relieved by rest, as well as pain, mental fogginess and trouble with memory and sleep. It is also known as myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME).
Some studies into the condition have suggested the immune system could be involved, with viral infections one potential trigger.
“The evidence is largely inconclusive – there are studies which have shown elevated levels of the inflammatory markers, but such abnormalities are quite inconsistent across studies,” said Alice Russell from King’s College London, first author of the research.
Because it is not possible to predict who will get a virus, it is impossible to look at levels of biological molecules before, during and after a potential CFS “trigger” infection. Experts say they have used a group of people with a different condition as a model to explore how immune response might be linked to persistent fatigue.