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| Chronic fatigue: Overactive immune system 'may trigger ME-like symptoms' | |
| (about 7 hours later) | |
| An overactive immune system may help explain the cause of chronic fatigue syndrome, scientists from King's College London have suggested. | An overactive immune system may help explain the cause of chronic fatigue syndrome, scientists from King's College London have suggested. |
| Many sufferers of CFS, or ME, say their condition began with a challenge to their immune system like an infection. | Many sufferers of CFS, or ME, say their condition began with a challenge to their immune system like an infection. |
| The scientists studied 55 patients with Hepatitis C who were given a drug that causes a similar response to a virus. | The scientists studied 55 patients with Hepatitis C who were given a drug that causes a similar response to a virus. |
| Eighteen of those patients had an overactive immune system and went on to develop CFS-like symptoms. | Eighteen of those patients had an overactive immune system and went on to develop CFS-like symptoms. |
| 'It is a light in the fog' | 'It is a light in the fog' |
| Chronic fatigue syndrome is a long-term illness characterised by extreme tiredness. | Chronic fatigue syndrome is a long-term illness characterised by extreme tiredness. |
| Scientists from the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience at King's College recruited 55 patients who had hepatitis C. The standard treatment for hepatitis C is the drug interferon-alpha which challenges the immune system in the same way as a powerful infection. | Scientists from the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience at King's College recruited 55 patients who had hepatitis C. The standard treatment for hepatitis C is the drug interferon-alpha which challenges the immune system in the same way as a powerful infection. |
| The team measured fatigue and immune markers before, during and after treatment, tracking which people developed the persistent CFS-like illness. | The team measured fatigue and immune markers before, during and after treatment, tracking which people developed the persistent CFS-like illness. |
| In the 18 patients who developed CFS-like symptoms the team found a much stronger immune response to the medication. Significantly these patients also had an overactive immune system before the treatment started. | In the 18 patients who developed CFS-like symptoms the team found a much stronger immune response to the medication. Significantly these patients also had an overactive immune system before the treatment started. |
| Lead researcher Dr Alice Russell from the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN) said: | Lead researcher Dr Alice Russell from the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN) said: |
| "For the first time, we have shown that people who are prone to develop a CFS-like illness have an overactive immune system, both before and during a challenge to the immune system. | "For the first time, we have shown that people who are prone to develop a CFS-like illness have an overactive immune system, both before and during a challenge to the immune system. |
| "Our findings suggest that people who have an exaggerated immune response to a trigger may be more at risk of developing CFS." | "Our findings suggest that people who have an exaggerated immune response to a trigger may be more at risk of developing CFS." |
| Senior researcher, Prof Carmine Pariante, added: "This is a light in the fog, a direction of travel. Although screening is a long way off, our results are the first step in identifying those at risk and catching the illness in its crucial early stages." | Senior researcher, Prof Carmine Pariante, added: "This is a light in the fog, a direction of travel. Although screening is a long way off, our results are the first step in identifying those at risk and catching the illness in its crucial early stages." |
| What is ME? | What is ME? |
| Myalgic encephalomyelitis or ME is also known as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) | Myalgic encephalomyelitis or ME is also known as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) |
| The long-term illness affects about 250,000 people in the UK | The long-term illness affects about 250,000 people in the UK |
| As well as fatigue, it can cause sleep problems and muscle and joint pain | As well as fatigue, it can cause sleep problems and muscle and joint pain |
| Living with CFS/ME can be difficult. Extreme tiredness and other physical symptoms can make it hard to carry out everyday activities | Living with CFS/ME can be difficult. Extreme tiredness and other physical symptoms can make it hard to carry out everyday activities |
| There is currently no cure for ME | There is currently no cure for ME |
| Source: NHS Choices | Source: NHS Choices |
| Dr Charles Shepherd, the ME Association's medical adviser, said: "This research adds to the growing weight of scientific evidence which indicates that the body's immune system is playing an important role in the causation of ME/CFS." | Dr Charles Shepherd, the ME Association's medical adviser, said: "This research adds to the growing weight of scientific evidence which indicates that the body's immune system is playing an important role in the causation of ME/CFS." |
| The study is one of five research projects funded by the Medical Research Council into the causes of ME. | The study is one of five research projects funded by the Medical Research Council into the causes of ME. |
| In June, Scottish National Party MP Carol Monaghan led an emotional Westminster Hall debate into a common treatment, graded exercise therapy (Get), which is available on the NHS. She argued it was often damaging and in need of revision. Others defended the treatment. | In June, Scottish National Party MP Carol Monaghan led an emotional Westminster Hall debate into a common treatment, graded exercise therapy (Get), which is available on the NHS. She argued it was often damaging and in need of revision. Others defended the treatment. |
| The health watchdog, NICE, is currently updating its guidelines for treatment of CFS in England, but publication is not due until 2020. | The health watchdog, NICE, is currently updating its guidelines for treatment of CFS in England, but publication is not due until 2020. |