Research projects

Post-exertional malaise: a starting point to study and understand ME/CFS

About

Status:

Ongoing

Principal investigator:

C.A.T. (Inge) Zijdewind

Country:

Netherlands

Study start:

2023-01

Completion (planned):

2027-12

Last update:

2024-12-20

Research types:

Clinical research

Research areas:

Musculoskeletal system dysfunction, Nervous system dysfunction, Nutritional and metabolic system dysfunction, Cardiovascular system dysfunction

Interventions:

Physical exercise, Hand grip strength (HGS) test, Cognitive function test

Priv. Sector Partner:

Not available

Sponsors:

The Netherlands Organisation for Health Research and Development (ZonMw)

Links

Project website

Project description

Physical exercise is important for overall health. However, this does not apply to patients with ME/CFS. They experience that effort actually worsens their symptoms and that they suffer from this for a long time. This is called post-exertional malaise (PEM) and is an important symptom in the diagnosis of ME/CFS. A better understanding of PEM can help untangle metabolic and pathophysiological processes that underlie ME/CFS.

Purpose

Exertion leads to complex cardiovascular, metabolic and molecular reactions. Why these reactions lead to symptoms in people with ME/CFS is unknown. If these relationships are better understood, the disease is expected to be better controlled and treated. The purpose of this project is to understand how physical and cognitive exertion can worsen the symptoms of ME/CFS.

Approach/method of working

This project will look at 50 patients who perform different tasks. Before, during and after performing these tasks, the effects on these patients are studied at different levels (molecular, organ, and system). Because PEM is generated through both physical and cognitive effort, both types of tasks are part of this research. The changes in symptoms are investigated and related to 1) the performance delivered (hand muscle strength, tiredness, and cognitive performance), 2) changes in metabolism and 3) blood flow and activity in the brain. This is done through strength measurements, choice tasks, questionnaires, blood samples, and measurements of blood pressure, heart rate and brain blood flow.

(Description adapted from project website: see link above)

Patient cohort

Not available.

Patients enrolled: Not available

Age group: 18 - 65 years (Adults)

Research areas

10

Research types

1

Research networks

1

Working groups

1

People

1

Publications

0

Organisations

1

Research areas

Skeletal muscle dysfunction

Musculoskeletal diseases describe conditions that affect the muscles and their associated ligaments and other connective tissue and conditions of the bones and cartilage viewed collectively. Descripton adapted from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/68009140.

Research projects:

10

Publications:

10

Musculoskeletal system dysfunction

Disorders of the muscles, bones, and cartilage of the body. Description adapted from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/68009141.

Research projects:

10

Publications:

10

Nervous system dysfunction

Nervous system is the entire nerve apparatus, composed of a central part, the brain and spinal cord, and a peripheral part, the cranial and spinal nerves, autonomic ganglia, and plexuses. 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 ner...

Research projects:

Nutritional and metabolic system dysfunction

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. Description adapted from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/68009750.

Research projects:

13

Publications:

16

A decrease in the flow of blood through or around an organ or region of the body, including the brain. Description adapted from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/68012039 & https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/68002560.

Research projects:

8

Publications:

7

Cardiovascular system dysfunction

The cardiovascular system includes the heart and the blood vessels by which blood is pumped and circulated throgh the body. Cardiovascular diseases describe pathological conditions involving the cardiovascular system, including the heart, blood vessels or the pericardium. Description adapted from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/68002319...

Research projects:

Cognitive dysfunction

Cognitive dysfunction pertains to diminished or impaired mental and/or intellectual function. Description adapted from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/68060825.

Research projects:

4

Publications:

2

Cerebral perfusion

Cerebrovascular circulation describes the circulation of blood through the blood vessels of the brain. Description adapted from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/68002560.

Research projects:

6

Publications:

3

The part of the central nervous system that is contained within the skull. The developed brain consists of cerebrum, cerebellum, and others structures in the brain stem. 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. Description adapted from:

Research projects:

Central nervous system dysfunction

Diseases of any component of the brain (including the cerebral hemispheres, diencephalon, brain stem, andcerebellum) or the spinal cord. Description adapted from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/68002493.

Research projects:

13

Publications:

4