Pathophysiology of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS)--Dr. Anthony Komaroff

During this October 2021 grand rounds presentation at Heywood Hospital in Gardner, MA, Dr. Anthony Komaroff of Brigham & Women's Hospital summarizes key facts about ME/CFS (myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome):

• ME/CFS is a real biological illness
• Scope and seriousness of ME/CFS
• Underlying biological abnormalities
• Relationship between abnormalities
• Other post-infectious fatigue syndromes
• Comparison with Long Covid
• Diagnostic tests and some treatments


00:00 Introduction
01:39 Goals
02:12 Is ME/CFS real?
02:41 Causes of Fatigue
04:23 ME/CFS vs. Depression?
05:23 Scope and Seriousness
06:18 Definition
08:15 Who are the Patients?
10:08 Sudden Onset
11:08 Post-Exertional Malaise
13:49 Studies of the Brain
17:52 Autonomic Dysfunction
18:44 Chronic Immune Activation
21:48 Infectious Agents
23:29 Abnormal Energy Metabolism
25:57 The Microbiome
28:42 Relationship Between Abnormalities
30:42 The Sickness Behavior/Neuroinflammation Model
34:47 Long Covid
38:13 Diagnostic Tests
39:51 Treatments
41:24 Prognosis
42:19 Summary