Starting in January 2026, ME/CFS Research Foundation will support another research project at Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin. The project focuses on the development of biomarkers for ME/CFS by investigating brain changes using imaging techniques.
From January to June 2026, the Foundation will co-fund an investigation into brain changes in ME/CFS (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) and their evaluation as potential imaging markers. The analyses will be conducted by Dr Guido Camma at the research group of Prof Carsten Finke at Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin and the Berlin School of Mind and Brain. The project is affiliated with the research network National Clinical Studies Group (NKSG).
Project background and objectives:
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans performed in participants of the NKSG’s Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) trial provide evidence of functional changes in the central nervous system in ME/CFS (see Dr Camma's poster presentation at the International ME/CFS Conference 2025). These mechanisms are not yet sufficiently understood to be able to develop imaging markers. However, such markers could potentially become part of an objective ME/CFS diagnostic procedure in the future and provide important information for individualised treatment approaches.
Against this background, the project aims to systematically differentiate structural and functional brain changes in ME/CFS and investigate their suitability as objective imaging markers. At the centre lies the question of whether functional changes in the central nervous system — particularly thalamocortical hyperconnectivity — can be modulated by immunoadsorption, i.e. whether functional changes observed in the brains of ME/CFS patients regress and normalise after apheresis treatment. Beyond the potential of MRI for ME/CFS biomarker development (and potential future treatment monitoring), it could provide further evidence for the rationale of immunomodulatory therapies (especially for autoantibody depletion via immunoadsorption and B-cell/plasma cell depletion).
In addition to analysing data from MRI scans, the study aims to determine whether these data correlate with immunological parameters such as individual autoantibody profiles of the trial participants. The analytical methods used include volumetric analyses, seed-based resting-state connectivity analyses, secondary analyses of thalamic connectivity and symptom burden, group stratification, and analyses of autoantibodies and thalamocortical connectivity. These will utilise imaging and biometric data collected from participants in the IA-PACS-CFS trial . IA-PACS-CFS is a phase II clinical trial investigating immunoadsorption as a treatment for ME/CFS following COVID-19 and other infections and is being conducted as part of the NKSG.
The project also aims to identify possible immunological subtypes of ME/CFS, so that in the future patients can be selected in advance for appropriate treatment approaches based on the underlying disease mechanisms. In total, the analyses will include 65 ME/CFS patients and 65 age- and sex-matched healthy controls who were previously examined using an identical MRI protocol.
Integration into ongoing biomarker research
The project is directly linked to the ongoing research of various working groups at the Max Delbrück Center (MDC), Berlin Institute of Health (BIH), German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), and Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin within the framework of the NKSG. In particular it draws on the biomarker and diagnostic platforms as well as the Phase II clinical trial on immunoadsorption.
Why do we fund this project?
The project investigating brain changes in ME/CFS as potential biomarkers at Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin complements our existing funding for research within the framework of the NKSG, including for the biomarker project by Annick Fehrer at the research group of Prof Carmen Scheibenbogen. Both of the Foundation's funded biomarker projects within the NKSG fulfil the objectives defined in our research funding strategy . The new project has already been funded, in order for it to start in January 2026.
How can you support the work of the ME/CFS Research Foundation?
While progress has been made, there is still a long way to go before diagnosis, care and treatment of ME/CFS patients will one day become an established medical and social standard. We at the ME/CFS Research Foundation are focussing on biomedical research, which we see as a key element in solving these problems (more on this in our research funding strategy and in our half year report summer 2025, which summarises our activities). To achieve this, we rely on broad support from private donors – those affected, relatives, families, friends, associations, schools, networks, companies, initiatives, event organisers and all supporters. If you are not able to provide direct support, you can share our stories and motivate others to help. Because only together can we achieve. this goal.
We fully translate donations and other support into scientifically excellent research, networking and ultimately visible successes, i.e. better ME/CFS diagnostics and therapies. We are happy to work together with other organisations and initiatives - please contact us!
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