SEIDS/CFS seems to be on a media roll lately. Now a research study at Columbia University’s School of Public Health has reported the results of a robust study with a sampling of 298 ME/CFS patients and 348 healthy controls. For the non-scientist, they have identified specific compromised immune system markers that were present in SEIDS/CFS patients during the first two to three years of the illness. These same markers were not present in the controls or in patients who had been sick longer than three years.
The following are quotes from a Press Release put out by the school:
“We now have evidence confirming what millions of people with this disease already know, that ME/CFS isn't psychological,” states lead author Mady Hornig, MD.
“This study delivers what has eluded us for so long: unequivocal evidence of immunological dysfunction in ME/CFS and diagnostic biomarkers for disease,” says Dr. Lipkin, senior author of the current study.
“The study supports the idea that ME/CFS may reflect an infectious “hit-and-run” event. Patients often report getting sick, sometimes from something as common as infectious mononucleosis (Epstein-Barr virus), and never fully recover. The new research suggests that these infections throw a wrench in the immune system’s ability to quiet itself after the acute infection, to return to a homeostatic balance; the immune response becomes like a car stuck in high gear.”
Here’s a link to the complete text of the Press Release: http://www.mailman.columbia.edu/news/scientists-discover-robust-evidence-chronic-fatigue-syndrome-biological-illness
I don’t want to get too excited but this is substantial. Early stage SEIDS/CFS patients have the markers. Controls don’t. No percentages. No ratios. No hedging. No gray area. Positive and Negative results only. Call me crazy – oh wait, no one will call us crazy anymore! – but I think we’re on our way to some important breakthroughs. Yeah, I know, I’m an incurable optimist! Please COMMENT or Send in your thoughts and I’ll post them with your permission. You can use the Contact Form or send an email to Martha at DefeatCFS dot net. And Guest Blogs are most welcome!
Look for a weekly posting on Tuesdays. And consider being part of the conversation.
Be Well Again,
Martha
The following are quotes from a Press Release put out by the school:
“We now have evidence confirming what millions of people with this disease already know, that ME/CFS isn't psychological,” states lead author Mady Hornig, MD.
“This study delivers what has eluded us for so long: unequivocal evidence of immunological dysfunction in ME/CFS and diagnostic biomarkers for disease,” says Dr. Lipkin, senior author of the current study.
“The study supports the idea that ME/CFS may reflect an infectious “hit-and-run” event. Patients often report getting sick, sometimes from something as common as infectious mononucleosis (Epstein-Barr virus), and never fully recover. The new research suggests that these infections throw a wrench in the immune system’s ability to quiet itself after the acute infection, to return to a homeostatic balance; the immune response becomes like a car stuck in high gear.”
Here’s a link to the complete text of the Press Release: http://www.mailman.columbia.edu/news/scientists-discover-robust-evidence-chronic-fatigue-syndrome-biological-illness
I don’t want to get too excited but this is substantial. Early stage SEIDS/CFS patients have the markers. Controls don’t. No percentages. No ratios. No hedging. No gray area. Positive and Negative results only. Call me crazy – oh wait, no one will call us crazy anymore! – but I think we’re on our way to some important breakthroughs. Yeah, I know, I’m an incurable optimist! Please COMMENT or Send in your thoughts and I’ll post them with your permission. You can use the Contact Form or send an email to Martha at DefeatCFS dot net. And Guest Blogs are most welcome!
Look for a weekly posting on Tuesdays. And consider being part of the conversation.
Be Well Again,
Martha
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