Another year of disruptions has not stopped ME/CFS researchers around the world in their search for a better understanding of the illness, and ME Research UK continues to support this work as much as we can.
We were delighted to announce the award of funding to four new projects in 2021.
Leighton Barnden in Australia is using cutting-edge MRI technology to look more closely at brain-stem abnormalities in ME/CFS.
James Allison in the UK is exploring pain and autonomic dysfunction in people with ME/CFS and those with temporomandibular disorders.
Sarah Annesley in Australia is investigating abnormalities in mitochondrial energy production, and whether they may be related to epigenetic changes.
Bhupesh Prusty in Germany is also researching mitochondrial alterations, to determine whether they are related to reactivation of specific viruses.
2021 also saw the publication of four research papers reporting the results of ME Research UK-funded investigations.
Francisco Westermeier reported the first results from his study investigating the role of endothelium-related microRNAs as biomarkers for ME/CFS.
Nuno Sepúlveda and Carmen Scheibenbogen looked at the association between chronic herpesvirus infection and the development of ME/CFS.
Elisha Josef and Sarah Knight highlighted the persistence of ME/CFS symptoms in adolescents with the illness.
Victoria Strassheim reported on the experiences of people with severe ME/CFS and discussed how best to include them in research.
ME Research UK currently has a number of new projects in the pipeline, as well as several applications for funding going through our rigorous review process. We are excited to bring news of all of these over the coming months.
