On Dec 4th, the CFIDS Association of America announced some new research grants totaling almost $650,000 to researchers studying chronic fatigue syndrome.
One of the recipients of the grant was a researcher out of Cornell University named Dikoma Shungu. In a preliminary study he showed through magnetic resonance brain scans that there was a build up of lactic acid in the brains of CFS patients, which might indicate compounds that cause oxidative stress.
This research could hopefully support Dr. Martin Pall’s NO/ONOO theory of CFS. Many people with CFS (myself included), have higher than normal oxidative stress. A study like this may help to connect the dots and get researchers to look at oxidative stress, peroxynitrite, and nitric oxide as it relates to CFS.
Some other research that i think is interesting is by Dr. Marvin Medow of New York Medical College, who is researching the affects of orthostatic intolerance on cerebral blood flow and metabolism. He will also investigate to see if oxidative stress can cause a disturbance in cereberal blood flow.
Im hoping this will lead to some answers due to the fact that my personal brain scans showed altered blood flow and metabolism. I also have had problems with orthostatic intolerance and failed a tilt table test, used to diagnose this.
I recently read a paper that talks about how brain ischemia-reperfusion causes increased production of free radicals, including peroxynitrite. So could a trigger (like a viral infection, stress, physical trauma?) could set off this ischemia and lead to a cycle of increased free radical production, like in the Martin Pall theory?
Just an idea.
But, finally seeing some real CFS research being done is great. I think there are some good ideas floating around that really match up with my own test results. It can only lead to better things. If these independant studies come up with result, maybe the government will provide some real funding.
