work has increasingly looked at the autonomic nervous system, fatigue
and in the past five years more specifically ME and CFS with nearly
ten studies.
Newcastle University given funding to research illness
by Helen Rae, The JournalDec 21 2011
SCIENTISTS in the North East have been given a financial boost for
research into the causes of the debilitating condition chronic fatigue
syndrome.
The Medical Research Council (MRC) has awarded specialists at
Newcastle University =A3900,000 to fund two new projects that will focus
on the mechanisms and underlying biological processes involved in the
illness.
It is hoped that the pioneering research will lead to a comprehensive
understanding of the condition and help develop better diagnosis and
more effective treatments for sufferers.
Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) =96 also known as myalgic
encephalomyelitis (ME) =96 is a complex condition that affects around
250,000 people in the UK, including children.
Prof Julia Newton and Dr Wang Ng will lead the three-year research
projects at Newcastle University.
=93We are very, very excited about the opportunity for us here in the
North East to cement ourselves as leaders in the research of chronic
fatigue syndrome,=94 explained Prof Newton.
=93This funding helps us to be put on the map and shows the quality of
work we are doing in the region to consolidate ourselves as moving
forward an understanding of the condition.
=93Chronic fatigue syndrome is a very real illness that can destroy the
lives of those who have it. It is essential that research is done into
the condition and I very much believe that within five years we will
be at a stage where we will be beginning clinical trials of new
treatments for the illness.=94
CFS varies widely in its severity but symptoms range from extreme
fatigue and muscle pain to memory loss, fits and paralysis.
Far from being a psychological condition, as was once suspected, the
World Health Organisation now classes it as a neurological illness.
But it is still not known exactly what causes it to develop.
Dr Ng and his team will analyse the immune systems of more than 500
patients with primary Sj=F6gren syndrome =96 a chronic condition with
similar symptoms to CFS/ME. They will look for immune system
abnormalities in these patients to help them identify the biological
=93fingerprints=94 of fatigue.
Prof Newton will lead researchers to explore what causes dysfunction
of the autonomic nervous system =96 characterised by dizziness and
light-headedness =96 present in up to 90% of sufferers.
The scientists will use MRI scans to measure changes in blood flow to
the brain and how this relates to cognition and nervous system
dysfunction.
It is hoped the researchers will gain a clearer understanding of
nervous system abnormalities and the development of targeted
treatments aimed at reversing these abnormalities.
Prof Stephen Holgate, chair of the MRC=92s population and systems
medicine board, said: =93There is a pressing need to understand the
causes of CFS/ME, and the MRC is delighted to announce substantial
funding to address this.=94
In total, the MRC has awarded more than =A31.6m to scientific institutes
around the country for five new research projects into CFS/ME.
Dr Neil Abbot, on behalf of ME Research UK, said: =93The allocation of
funding for research into the basis of the disease is a significant
achievement for Prof Julia Newton and her colleagues at Newcastle
University, and for the North East of England.=94
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