Investigating Metabolic and Neuropathological interactions to Address Cognitive Symptoms in ME/CFS
People with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) often experience difficulties with their concentration, memory, and thinking. This project investigates how these cognitive problems relate to measurable changes in the brain, energy metabolism, and the immune system.
The goal is to improve recognition and understanding of cognitive symptoms in ME/CFS patients. In the long term, the findings may lead to better methods for measuring cognitive impairment and to the development of new medical treatments targeting these symptoms.
Objective
Cognitive problems in ME/CFS remain poorly understood and difficult to measure. The aim of this project is to gain a clearer understanding of how alterations in energy metabolism and immune function are related to the brain and to specific cognitive difficulties such as reduced attention, memory, concentration span, and processing speed.
The project provides new insights that can help improve the way cognitive problems are measured. These insights may ultimately support the development of targeted treatments.
Approach / Method
The researchers combine brain imaging, blood analyses, and cognitive tests to examine how metabolism, the immune system, and brain function are interrelated in ME/CFS.
Advanced imaging and analytical techniques are used to detect even very subtle differences in the brain and blood. The testing procedures have been adjusted for patients with limited energy capacity.
First, brain scans, blood and test results of ME/CFS patients are compared with those of healthy controls. Subsequently, the relation between brain measurements and blood markers and cognitive test outcomes is examined. In patients with severe ME/CFS, the research team examines whether direct relationships can be identified between blood-based measures and cognitive functioning.
Collaboration Partners
This project is part of the Netherlands ME/CFS Cohort and Biobank (NMCB) and builds on its existing research infrastructure. It integrates expertise and data from multiple disciplines and collaborates closely with other projects within the NMCB and within the post-COVID network, as well as with national and international databases.
In addition, the project fosters collaboration with neuropsychologists, physicians, and occupational health specialists.
Patient involvement is a key component. ME/CFS patients participate in the design, implementation, and interpretation of the research and help disseminate results to the broader community. This ensures that the research remains closely aligned with patients’ needs and perspectives.
Expected Results
This study will clarify how data from blood tests, brain scans, and cognitive assessments are interconnected. Based on tasks, the researchers can predict which changes occur in person’s brain or blood. Conversely, the researchers can use a blood test to predict which cognitive problems may have.
Such insights could help identify biological markers for cognitive impairment in ME/CFS and support the development of new treatments targeting, for example, energy metabolism or the brain.
In addition, the findings are expected to improve methods for measuring and monitoring cognitive difficulties.