Brisbane (LabNews Media LLC) – In people with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS), the brain's ability to remove harmful waste products is impaired. Researchers at Griffith University in Australia have demonstrated this for the first time using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI).
The so-called glymphatic function serves to cleanse the brain of toxic substances. In ME/CFS patients, this cleansing is impaired, which can lead to an accumulation of waste products, neuroinflammatory processes, and symptoms such as brain fog. The study also shows a connection with sleep disorders and cognitive impairments.
"This study is the first to demonstrate impaired glymphatic function in ME/CFS using MRI, thus providing a mechanistic explanation for the inflammatory changes reported by other teams," explained Dr. Kiran Thapaliya, lead author of the study. Poor sleep is associated with inadequate waste removal.
The researchers see potential in the results for non-invasive diagnostic methods and new treatment approaches aimed at improving glymphatic function. The study was published in the journal Frontiers in Neuroscience.
