How Metabolism and the Brain Interact: Towards a Better Understanding of Cognitive Symptoms in ME/CFS
About
Status:
Ongoing
Principal investigator:
Country:
Netherlands
Study start:
2025-12
Completion (planned):
2030-12
Last update:
2025-11-10
Research types:
Basic research
Research areas:
Nervous system dysfunction, Nutritional and metabolic system dysfunction
Interventions:
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), Cognitive function test, Diagnostics, Apparative Diagnostics, Performance Tests
Priv. Sector Partner:
Not available
Sponsors:
Links
Project website
Project description
People with ME/CFS may experience challenges with concentration, memory and thinking. This project investigates how problems in thinking are related to measurements of the brain, with changes in the energy balance and the body's immune system. This is done to enable better recognition of cognitive problems in ME/CFS patients. In the long term, the results can also lead to better methods of measuring cognitive problems and new medical treatments for cognitive dysfunction.
The researchers use images (photos and videos) of the brain, blood tests and the results of a number of short tests that measure cognitive performance. New methods are used so that even small differences in the brain and blood can be measured. The way these tests are performed is adapted to people with limited energy.
First, it is investigated how the brain, blood and test results of ME/CFS patients differ from those of healthy controls. It is then investigated whether certain measurements in the brain can provide insights about blood markers and the measures of cognitive performance. In severely affected patients, it is monitored whether there is a direct relationship between different measurements/components in the blood and cognitive performance.
This study aims to obtain information on how findings from blood tests, brain scans and cognitive performance tests are related. The researchers may use results from the cognitive performance tests to predict what changes occur in someone's brain or in the blood. Conversely, the researchers may also be able to predict cognitive performance challenges based on blood test results. This knowledge can then help develop new treatments for cognitive dysfunction, for example those focused on the energy balance of the brain. Results may also help to improve the way in which cognitive dysfuntion is measured.
Description adapted from project website: see link above.
Patient cohort
Not available.
Patients enrolled: Not available
Age group: Not available
Research areas
5
Research types
1
Research networks
1
Working groups
0
People
1
Publications
0
Organisations
1
Research areas
Nervous system dysfunction
Description:
Diseases of the nervous system include diseases of the central and peripheral nervous system. This includes disorders of the brain, spinal cord, cranial nerves, peripheral nerves, nerve roots, autonomic nervous system, neuromuscular junction, and muscle.
Research projects:
19
Publications:
24
Nutritional and metabolic system dysfunction
Description:
A collective term for nutritional disorders resulting from poor absorption or nutritional imbalance, and metabolic disorders resulting from defects in biosynthesis (anabolism) or breakdown (catabolism) of endogenous substances.
Research projects:
16
Publications:
28
Brain
Description:
Diseases of the of the central nervous system pertain to any component of the brain (including the cerebral hemispheres, diencephalon, brain stem, and cerebellum) or the spinal cord.
Research projects:
15
Publications:
8
Metabolomics
Description:
The systematic identification and quantitation of all the metabolic products of a cell, tissue, organ, or organism under varying conditions.
Research projects:
5
Publications:
3
Central nervous system dysfunction
Description:
Diseases of any component of the brain (including the cerebral hemispheres, diencephalon, brain stem, andcerebellum) or the spinal cord.
Research projects:
16
Publications:
7