New findings from Australia
ME Research UK-funded research at Griffith University in Australia has found enlargement of the hippocampus in people with ME/CFS and in those with long COVID. The increase in volume was also found to be related to the severity of the diseases, and may contribute to symptoms such as memory and concentration problems. The findings were featured on a report by ABC news, with one patient reporting that they were “giving all of us in the ME community hope for the future”.
Diagnostic marker review
In a project funded jointly by ME Research UK and the ME Association Ramsay Research Fund, Dr Krista Clarke and colleagues at the University of Surrey, along with members of the ME/CFS Biobank team at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, have recently published a review looking at potential blood-based diagnostic markers for ME/CFS. This is background for their own current research investigating whether the electrical properties of white blood cells could be used to develop a diagnostic tool for ME/CFS.
International news
- ME Research UK regularly reports on ME/CFS news of interest worldwide, and in recent weeks we have looked at an update on EU research funding and on US recognition of International ME Awareness Day (12 May).
- We have also discussed recent news relating to the UK Government’s Delivery Plan for ME/CFS, including reports that the Plan will not be backed by any additional financial resources, and that the Government has rejected calls for a specific ME/CFS Research Centre of Excellence.
Research articles
- Prognosis in ME/CFS (the likely outcome or course of the disease, including the chance of recovery and relapse) is not well understood. Although there have been a handful of studies conducted, findings are inconsistent and more research is required. However, researchers in Norway have tackled the problem by a novel route – looking at how the income of people with ME/CFS changes over time. They considered that this may provide a rough indicator of disease course and severity over time.
- Finding accurate prevalence data for ME/CFS is difficult. A new study by ME Research UK-funded researcher Dr Jarred Younger examined which characteristics – including self-reported “race” – are associated with receiving an ME/CFS diagnosis, and his findings suggest several mechanisms for the “racial disparities” they found, which further validates the proposition that a large number of those affected by ME/CFS are undiagnosed.
Fundraising
- The Brighton Marathon is one of the UK’s most iconic and scenic races. Next year’s event is sold out for individual entries and so the only way to enter is via a charity place – and ME Research UK has two guaranteed entries for the 6th April 2025 event which must be allocated by 13th March 2025. Please contact us if you are interested in taking part.
- Free fundraising: Do you, your family or friends do your grocery shopping online? Did you know that ME Research UK could get a FREE donation every time you shop? You can shop online and raise money for the charity via Give as you Live – it’s free and easy to sign up and make a difference.
Help us make the breakthrough
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