In the News
Keep up to date with the latest news articles from around the world.
Articles represent the views of their authors and not ME/CFS SA. Always seek advice from a registered health practitioner before changing your care plan.
16 April, 2024
Study Finds Significant Overlap In Neurochemicals From Long COVID And ME/CFS Patients
The National Centre for Neuroimmunology and Emerging Diseases (NCNED) at Griffith University continues to build upon its novel discoveries in long COVID and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, also known as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS). Researchers at NCNED directly compared brain neurochemical levels in long COVID and ME/CFS patients with healthy controls using MRI. The study’s first author Dr Kiran Thapaliya said “People with long COVID and ME/CFS have significantly elevated neurochemical levels, compared with healthy controls potentially causing multiple symptoms in both conditions."
16 April, 2024
Why My Chronic Pain Made Me Immune To Body Image Issues
Kate Brayden writes about her experiences with chronic pain, and how not having the energy to criticise her body has been an unexpected - albeit complicated - upside to an otherwise incredibly difficult condition.
15 April, 2024
Lessons In Persistence
New Long Covid trials aim to clear lingering virus—and help patients in dire need.
15 April, 2024
An ME Inquiry? Not Likely When A Pillar Of The Psychologising Establishment Has Access To The Halls Of Power
Guardian journalist George Monbiot has been calling out the continued appalling abuse of people living with myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME, also known as ME/CFS). However, there’s one prominent, powerful psychiatrist standing in the way of justice via an ‘ME inquiry’ over the “biggest medical scandal of the 21st century”: Simon Wessely.
15 April, 2024
Family Push For Daughter's Removal From Lancashire Hospital
A UK mother who is campaigning to have her daughter removed from hospital and taken home has said seeing her "in pain every day" has been "heartbreaking". Millie McAinsh, 18, was taken to Royal Lancaster Infirmary in January as she could not eat due to what her family said was severe myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME). Mother Lucy Montgomery said she wanted her daughter to be cared for at home.
14 April, 2024
ME/CFS Progression In Focus With $438,000 Grant
A Griffith University research team has successfully applied for a $438,000 ME Research UK grant to track the progression of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). The study will use an ultra-high field 7 Tesla (7T) MRI to capture a clearer depiction of brain regions and detect subtle brain changes in ME/CFS patients.
14 April, 2024
Patients With Fibromyalgia Scored Worse In Memory, Attention, Cognitive Function
A cross-sectional study demonstrated significant impairments in attention, memory, and higher cognitive functions among a cohort of patients with fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis (RA), according to a study published in Psychology Research and Behavior Management.
14 April, 2024
Long COVID: Sufferers Can Take Heart
Millions worldwide experience post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC or long COVID), according to the World Health Organization (WHO), European Union and the UK and US governments. Long COVID symptoms >12 weeks after the initial severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection affecting 2–20% of patients with mild and severe acute COVID-19 are endemic in every jurisdiction with a competent health reporting system. Although the Australian Bureau of Statistics and other health agencies in Australia do not survey the prevalence of long COVID, it is estimated that it affects hundreds of thousands, presaging a parliamentary inquiry into long COVID and repeated SARS-CoV-2 infection, which reported to Federal Government in April 2023. The 566 submissions to the Inquiry, including those from states, territories, professional bodies and the public, largely concur with the view that long COVID presents health management and sociological challenges to Australian society (conspicuously, the Queensland Government has a somewhat different perspective, attributing long COVID to a predominantly nocebo effect). Furthermore, the submissions recognise significant wellbeing and financial challenges to individuals with long COVID.
13 April, 2024
New Zealand Invention Helps Student With Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
After being bedridden for months with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), a university student has found a treatment that’s given her life back. Josie Collins was diagnosed with CFS three years ago after becoming ill with glandular fever. Approximately 45,000 people in New Zealand have been diagnosed with CFS, and researchers have found a strong link between long covid and CFS. Collins was bedridden for three months until she started FLOWpresso, a treatment designed to support the body’s lymphatic system.
13 April, 2024
Long COVID Subtypes Linked To Overlapping Inflammation-Related Blood Protein Shifts
A large international team led by investigators in the UK has uncovered blood-based inflammation patterns that overlap between, and distinguish, different forms of long COVID involving fatigue, cognitive, anxiety/depression, cardiorespiratory, and/or gastrointestinal features.
