Sie kann nicht sprechen, erträgt keine Geräusche, keine Menschen – Milena, 22, hat ME/CFS. Ihre Eltern Sabine und Joachim Hermisson kümmern sich seit fünf Jahren um sie. Hier berichten sie, worauf es ...

Background Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a disease of unknown aetiology characterised by symptoms of post-exertional malaise (PEM) and fatigue leading to substantial impairment in functioning. Other key symptoms include cognitive impairment and unrefreshing sleep, with many experiencing pain. To date there is no complete understanding of the triggering pathomechanisms of disease, and no quantitative biomarker available with sufficient sensitivity, specificity, and adoptability to provide conclusive diagnosis. Clinicians thus eliminate differential diagnoses, and rely on subjective, unspecific, and disputed clinical diagnostic criteria—a process that often takes years with patients being misdiagnosed and receiving inappropriate and sometimes detrimental care. Without a quantitative biomarker, trivialisation, scepticism, marginalisation, and misunderstanding of ME/CFS continues despite the significant disability for many. One in four individuals are bed-bound for long periods of time, others have difficulties maintaining a job/attending school, incurring individual income losses of thousands, while few participate in social activities. Main body Recent studies have reported promising quantifiable differences in the biochemical and electrophysiological properties of blood cells, which separate ME/CFS and non-ME/CFS participants with high sensitivities and specificities—demonstrating potential development of an accessible and relatively non-invasive diagnostic biomarker. This includes profiling immune cells using Raman spectroscopy, measuring the electrical impedance of blood samples during hyperosmotic challenge using a nano-electronic assay, use of metabolomic assays, and certain techniques which assess mitochondrial dysfunction. However, for clinical application, the specificity of these biomarkers to ME/CFS needs to be explored in more disease controls, and their practicality/logistics considered. Differences in cytokine profiles in ME/CFS are also well documented, but finding a consistent, stable, and replicable cytokine profile may not be possible. Increasing evidence demonstrates acetylcholine receptor and transient receptor potential ion channel dysfunction in ME/CFS, though how these findings could translate to a diagnostic biomarker are yet to be explored. Conclusion Different biochemical and electrophysiological properties which differentiate ME/CFS have been identified across studies, holding promise as potential blood-based quantitative diagnostic biomarkers for ME/CFS. However, further research is required to determine their specificity to ME/CFS and adoptability for clinical use.

Research could offer hope for ME patients – but some experts urge caution and say more studies needed

Im Format „Mein Thema“ berichten Berliner Ärztinnen und Ärzte, was sie beschäftigt. Darüber haben wir mit Dr. med. Elisa Stein gesprochen.

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Hochschulen verstehen sich selbst als weltoffen, vielfältig und fortschrittsorientiert. Doch wie verteidigen sie die Freiheit von Wissenschaft und Bildung vor autokratischen Eingriffen? Christoph Hake...

Alt: a cartoon character says my goodness what an idea why didn 't i think of that