ME/CFS Research Gains Momentum with Federal Funding Boost

A new research initiative in Germany aims to uncover the causes and improve treatments for ME/CFS, a debilitating condition affecting millions worldwide, including post-COVID patients.

• Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) is a severe neuroimmunological illness often triggered by viral infections, including COVID-19.
• The condition severely impacts daily life, with symptoms like extreme fatigue, cognitive impairments, and post-exertional malaise (PEM), which worsen after minimal activity.
• An estimated 600,000 people in Germany, including 80,000 children, live with ME/CFS, with many undiagnosed or misdiagnosed due to limited awareness and understanding.
• A new German research consortium, supported by €2.5 million in federal funding, will investigate ME/CFS symptoms and biological mechanisms using tools like fitness trackers to develop diagnostic and treatment methods.
• Patients and advocates are calling for greater public awareness, improved healthcare support, and specialized care facilities to address the unmet needs of those living with ME/CFS.

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