Serotonin and immunomodulation in ME/CFS (SERIMM)

Description

ME/CFS is a severe neuroimmunological disease that often leads to a high degree of physical and cognitive dysfunction. Its cause and development are still largely unknown. Therefore, the options for clinical treatment of patients are limited. There are large gaps in knowledge because hardly any tissue samples from those affected are available and comparisons with defined control groups are difficult to make. The SERIMM research network aims to shed light on evidence of an altered metabolism of the neurotransmitter serotonin and a dysregulation of the immune system. To this end, it is planned to use high-throughput analysis methods to examine samples from patient cohorts and COVID-19 animal models (mice, hamster) in parallel. This work is intended to make an important contribution to a better understanding of the pathophysiology of ME/CFS and help to better understand changes in the tissue and immune system in ME/CFS. Furthermore, ME/CFS-specific biomarkers will be discovered and mechanistic studies will be conducted in animal models. This will allow the testing of drugs and other treatment modalities for ME/CFS in preclinical models in the future and contribute to the development of new therapeutic approaches. (Description adapted from research network website: see link above)