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Myalgic Encephalomyelitis / Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME / CFS) Post Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome (PTLDS), Fibromyalgia Leading Research. Delivering Hope.Open Medicine Foundation® Canada
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Targeted Markers of ME/CFS and Post-COVID

Targeted Markers of ME/CFS and Post-COVID

Study Aim

This project aims to investigate specific markers of ME/CFS and Post-COVID identified through previous research.

Investigators

  • Jonas Bergquist, MD, PhD
  • Liudmyla Tsiukalo, PhD

Updates and Potential

  • Subgroup analysis is ongoing.

STUDY HYPOTHESIS AND DESCRIPTION

Prior research has indicated that prolactin, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and neurofilament light chain (NfL) are present at altered levels in people with ME/CFS. Each of these molecules have implications for neurons and brain function.

Prolactin is a hormone that influences neuronal excitability and differentiation. BDNF is a protein that impacts the growth and function of neurons. The NfL is part of a neuron’s structure. Presence of NfL in the cerebrospinal fluid and blood indicate that neurons have been injured.

We hypothesize that the levels of these specific molecules are different in people with ME/CFS and post-COVID when compared to controls. We would expect prolactin and BDNF levels to be low and NfL levels to be high in the plasma, which would correlate to reduced cognitive function

OBJECTIVES

Human brain scan in a neurology clinic

  1. Perform targeted analysis of plasma prolactin levels via an ELISA.
  2. Perform targeted analysis of plasma BDNF levels via an ELISA.
  3. Perform targeted analysis of plasma NfL levels via a SIMOA assay.
  4. Identify clinically relevant subgroups based on prolactin, BDNF, and NfL levels in combination with cognitive function.

Consent management

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Microvesicles and viral sequencing
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NMR Metabolomics
NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance) is an instrument/tool used to perform metabolic studies, metabolic profiling, and metabolomics in biofluids and tissues for more than 40 years using magnetic fields. There is a very close connection between metabolic measurements and NMR. This connection has flourished because of NMR’s many unique strengths for characterizing complex mixtures’ chemical composition.
Proteomics
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Immune cell profiling
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Leukocyte Genomics
A leukocyte is a colorless cell circulating in the blood and body fluids and is involved in counteracting foreign substances and disease. A genome is all genetic material of an organism. Genomics is a biology field focusing on the structure, function, evolution, mapping, and editing of genomes. Therefore, leukocyte genomics is the study of all genetic material of leukocytes.
Metabolomics
Metabolomics is a way to study metabolism – that is, through measuring amounts of the metabolites (small molecules) produced by our bodies as we convert food into energy and other molecules that our cells need to survive. Metabolomics technology is ‘large-scale,’ meaning that several thousand metabolites can be measured from a single sample of e.g., blood or urine.
Micro RNA
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