Investigating muscle cells to improve diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome
Transcriptional profiling of proliferative skeletal muscle mononucleated cells coupled with broadband electrical cytometry towards diagnosis of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome
This study is looking at muscle cells from people with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) to find out how they differ from those of healthy individuals, with the hope of discovering new ways to diagnose and better understand the condition, especially for those who developed symptoms after COVID-19.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Lehigh University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Bethlehem, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10951972 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) by analyzing muscle cells from patients. Researchers will use advanced techniques to profile the gene expression and electrical properties of these cells, comparing them to those from healthy individuals. The goal is to identify specific biological markers that can lead to better diagnostic tools for ME/CFS, especially in patients who may have developed symptoms following COVID-19. By examining these cellular characteristics, the study aims to enhance the understanding of the disease and improve patient care.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are adults aged 21 and older who have been diagnosed with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome.
Not a fit: Patients who do not have ME/CFS or related chronic fatigue conditions may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the development of reliable diagnostic tests for ME/CFS, improving patient outcomes and treatment options.
How similar studies have performed: While there has been limited research specifically using this approach, the investigation of cellular markers in chronic fatigue conditions is a growing area of interest, suggesting potential for success.
Where this research is happening
Bethlehem, United States
- Lehigh University — Bethlehem, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cheng, Xuanhong — Lehigh University
- Study coordinator: Cheng, Xuanhong
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.