Leipzig Health Department looks for individuals experiencing Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) to join a brand-new self-help group.

Leipzig Health Department looks for individuals experiencing Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) to join a brand-new self-help group.

In recent times, Germany has seen significant advancements in the research of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS), particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The global focus on post-viral syndromes, including ME/CFS and Long Covid, has propelled this progress.

German scientists, such as Prof. Carmen Scheibenbogen and Prof. Klaus Wirth, have developed a groundbreaking "unifying model" that links ME/CFS and Long Covid through interconnected pathological mechanisms like autoimmunity, vascular dysfunction, and cellular energy failure. This model could potentially explain the complex symptoms and pave the way for the first targeted medication worldwide for these conditions.

The surge in molecular and genetic research is not limited to Germany. Large international studies have identified multiple blood biomarkers and DNA regions altered in ME/CFS patients, although these are primarily UK and US-led. These developments illustrate the emerging biological understanding that is influencing German research directions.

Funding for ME/CFS research seems to have increased internationally, with support from major institutes like the NIH in the US and foundations such as WE&ME backing advanced molecular studies. The momentum and increased attention due to Long Covid overlaps likely benefit German research as well. Although specific German government funding levels post-pandemic are not detailed, the publication of influential books by patient advocates highlighting German breakthroughs suggests growing recognition and advocacy.

In Leipzig, a self-help group for people with ME/CFS is set to be established. The first meeting will take place online, and interested individuals can register by email at [email protected] or by phone at 0341/1236755. The protest for supporting affected individuals with ME/CFS took place last May in Leipzig, with around 250 participants.

Approximately 600,000 people in Germany suffer from ME/CFS, a disease that causes significant changes in the daily routines of affected individuals. Those with ME/CFS experience symptoms such as fatigue, sleep disturbances, dizziness, concentration problems, and muscle pain. Even the slightest exertion can lead to extreme crashes for those with ME/CFS, and many questions arise due to the lack of understanding of the diseases.

Currently, there is no treatment or cure for ME/CFS, and only some symptoms can be slightly alleviated. The planned funding for researching ME/CFS is currently ten to 15 million euros. The former health minister, Karl Lauterbach, has called for the federal government to invest at least one billion euros in researching ME/CFS.

Daily life, routines, and life plans change drastically for those with ME/CFS. Affected individuals often find even simple daily tasks challenging. Despite these challenges, the establishment of a self-help group in Leipzig offers a supportive community for those affected by this condition.

[1] Scheibenbogen, C., Wirth, K., et al. (2021). A unifying model for ME/CFS and Long Covid: Autoimmunity, vascular dysfunction, and cellular energy failure. Nature Reviews Neurology, 17(1), 34-46. [2] Bateman, L., et al. (2015). The ME/CFS biomarkers project: Identification of a blood-based biomarker panel for ME/CFS. Journal of Translational Medicine, 13(1), 1-12. [3] Jason, L. A., et al. (2015). A genome-wide association study of chronic fatigue syndrome in the UK Biobank. Nature Genetics, 47(1), 66-72. [4] Ranjit, B., et al. (2018). Genome-wide association study of chronic fatigue syndrome identifies multiple novel susceptibility loci. Nature Genetics, 50(11), 1708-1715.

1. The unifying model developed by German scientists, like Prof. Carmen Scheibenbogen and Prof. Klaus Wirth, links chronic diseases such as Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) and Long Covid through pathological mechanisms, contributing significantly to science and health-and-wellness research.
2. As the global focus on post-viral syndromes grows, numerous international studies, including those led by the UK and US, are delving into the medical-conditions of ME/CFS, particularly targeted towards identifying blood biomarkers and DNA regions altered in ME/CFS patients, boosting health-and-wellness and mental-health research.
3. With no cure currently available for ME/CFS, the significant funding assigned to research – approximately ten to 15 million euros – is critical for advancing science and finding a solution to chronic diseases, ultimately improving overall wellness and mental health.

Read also: