Scientific and Medical Evidence - Listing of Research conducted worldwide section :
Serious Brain and nervous system abnormalities
Spinal Fluids & Proteomic Markers
Viral infections
Mycoplasma infections
Serious Bacteria infections
Cryptostrongylus Pulmoni infection
Immune system dysfunction and abnormalities
Severely Damaged Mitochondria and Defective Krebs cycle and ATP production
Substance P is elevated in CFS / ME patients
Increased oxidative stress
Genetic markers
Multiple infections and inflammatory immune system activation over time can damage the nervous system. Scientific studies of multiple infections - http://simmaronresearch.com/2013/04/your-brain-on-viruses-study-finds-common-viruses-cause-cognitive-declines/

Go to a Neurologist and ask for the following tests:

Specific Tests and Biomarkers

ME Primer for Healthcare Professionals: based on Myalgic encephalomyelitis: International Consensus Criteria, 2012

Autonomic Nervous System Tests

• Heart Rate Variability Test during waking hours

• Test for Heart Rate Variability during sleep. Defects have been found to be implicated in sleep disruption and unrefreshing sleep, suggesting autonomic system dysfunctions. ( http://www.autonomicneuroscience.com/article/S1566-0702%2813%2900050-7/abstract )

Neurological Inflammation Tests

Test blood, spinal fluids, and inflamed samples from brain, dorsal root ganglia, basal ganglia, brain stem, vagus nerve, spinal cord, cervical and lumbar nerve roots and peripheral nerves for the following:

• Test for Kynurenine and Serotonin levels.
  New research has found a reliable biomarker A bloodspot-based diagnostic test for fibromyalgia syndrome and related disorders. Hackshaw KV, Rodriguez-Saona L, Plans M, Bell LN, Buffington CA Analyst. 2013 Aug 21;138(16):4453-62. It involves use of infrared micro spectroscopy to analyse ‘spectra’ to determine the chemical composition of tissue or blood. Test for:
• indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase (IDO)
• high levels of kynurenine (KNN)
• low levels of serotonin
• low levels tryptophan
• high levels of pyridine carboxylateathy
• high levels of quinolinic acid
  
  
• Neopterin
  Measure levels of neopterin, indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase, L-kynurenine, kynurenic acid and quinolinic acid. Also measure levels of tryptophan. Test for brain lesions consistent with edema, inflammatory destruction and demyelination.
  Neopterin/Biopterin Profile http://www.metametrix.com/test-menu/profiles/vitamins/neopterin-biopterin
  
  
• Tryptophan destruction in ME
  Tryptophan the precursor of serotonin which is involved in sleep and many other functions is being depleted by high levels of neopterin and indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase. Test blood, spinal fluids, and inflamed samples from brain, dorsal root ganglia, basal ganglia, brain stem, vagus nerve, spinal cord, cervical and lumbar nerve roots and peripheral nerves and blood for the following:
  Measure levels of neopterin, indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase, L-kynurenine, kynurenic acid and quinolinic acid. Also measure levels of tryptophan. Test for brain lesions consistent with edema, inflammatory destruction and demyelination.

• A coroner's report of ME patient Sophia Mirza revealed that 4 out of 5 dorsal root ganglia were abnormal and showed disease. He had not been able to find exactly what had caused this but the result was dorsal root ganglionitis – an inflammation. This suggests an infection of this area. An MRI scan or MRS scan of this area may reveal abnormalities, infections, inflammation.

• General Inflammation Markers in spinal fluids, nerve tissues, blood: high-sensitivity c-reactive protein (hs-CRP), white blood cell count (WBC) , IL-6. prostaglandins E2 and C3A . (Psychoneuroendocrinology 2008:33:18-29)

• Small Fibre Neuropathy (SFN)
  This has been found in ME / CFS and Fibromyalgia. It is believed to be the main contributing factor to severe pain in ME / CFS and Fibromyalgia patients. A neurologist can carry out tests for Small Fibre Neuropathy (SFN). Dr. Gupta advises that physicians carry out a skin biopsy.
  
  
• Activated Microglia
  This has been found in several studies. Test for activated Microglia in the brain and nervous system.

• Test for Erythrocyte sedimentation rate. The rate is usually very low or zero in ME patients. Canadian clinician Byron Hyde reported in the fall 1989 issue of his newsletter to sufferers, “To my knowledge, there are only five diseases that have a pathological low sedimentation level: myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME also called CFS), sickle-cell anemia, hereditary sperocytosis, hyper-gammaglobulinemia, hyper-fibrogenemia.”
  

• Test for C reactive protein levels and C3 complement activation

• Elevated homocysteine in the cerebrospinal fluid
  Regland B, Andersson M, Abrahamsson L, et al. Increased concentrations of homocysteine in the cerebrospinal fluid in patients with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. Scand J Rheumatol 1997;26:301-307

• Measure levels of Isoprostanes. These are raised in ME and are a good biomarker.

• Test for over-activated Microglia and Microglia abnormalities

• Autoimmune disease and Pathogen infections of the nervous system
  Test for autoimmune disease of the autonomic nervous system and central nervous system. And test for pathogen infections of the nervous system. See Infections section

• CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
  "Because the effects of this illness are primarily due to AFFERENT tracked pathology, examination must be related to this. In poliomyelitis and other syndromes primarily affecting the efferent pathways, attention to reflexes, etc., is appropriate but in these cases a more detailed approach is necessary to define the adverse signs resulting from the AFFERENT track involvement. Thus the 12 cranial nerves need to be considered first as certain abnormal sensations relating to the cranial nerves are found in these patients. These include abnormal response to olfaction (1st), varying abnormal optic responses (2nd, 3rd, 4th and 6th), facial/motor and sensory responses are through the trigeminal (5th) and the facial (7th) nerves, auditory (8th), valtal (10th). Afferent and efferent responses will be found." Dr. John Richardson, Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Guidelines for Doctors
  

• Test for high Histidine levels, and high trans-urocanate levels and high Histamine levels

• Test for mast cell dysfunctions and abnormalities. This is linked to inflammation, pain, and blood vessel abnormalities. Some research findings listed on this link - http://phoenixrising.me/archives/13083 and at this link http://mastcellmaster.com/research.php
  Test for:
  • Tryptase, histamine, heparin blood
  • Eosinophilia, basophilia, monocytosis activity
    
  • Serum chromagranin A
    
  • Serum and urinary leukotriene and prostaglandin isoforms
    
  • Urine methylhistamine after exercise
  • Also test for abnormal levels of neuropeptide Y as this directly affects mast cell functions

• Test for levels of elastase in spinal fluids, nerve tissues, and blood

• Measure levels of Substance P in spinal fluids, nerve tissues, and blood

• Test for mast cell activation in brain tissue and nerve tissue. This is a good marker for inflammation.

• Measure levels of Nitric Oxide.

• Romberg Test. Many ME patients have abnormal results on this test.

• Measure levels of oxidative stress in spinal fluids, nerve tissues and blood

• Measure levels of mitochondria destruction in spinal fluids, nerve tissues and blood.

• Do you eat foods containing high levels of toxins and inflammation agents ?
  • hot dogs, sausages and cured meats which contain nitrosamines
  • sodas and fizzy drinks and diet drinks containing aspartame
  • foods containing MSG
  • foods containing GMO's
  • foods containing hydrogenated fats, trans fatty acids, and saturated fats. Margarine, canola oil, corn oil, peanut oil, soya oil, safflower oil
  • mucous forming foods such excessive potatoes, french fries (chips), cookies and sweets
  • refined sugars and foods containing refined sugars which can cause immune dysfunctions and inflammation. Stevia is healthier and safer.
  • processed and packaged foods containing additives and flavourings with E numbers
  • foods containing mercury – tuna, swordfish, shark
  • foods containing toxin residues from the land (arsenic in some rice)
  • table salt. Sea salt is healthier and safer.
  • chlorine in bathing / swimming water
  • flouride in drinking water
  • unfiltered drinking water
  all of these increase toxin load on the body, and inflammation, with adverse effects on the body, in particular the immune system, the DNA, the mitochondria, the endocrine system and the brain and nervous system. Eliminate these foods and drinks from the diet.

• Multiple infections and inflammatory immune system activation over time can damage the nervous system. Scientific studies of multiple infections - http://simmaronresearch.com/2013/04/your-brain-on-viruses-study-finds-common-viruses-cause-cognitive-declines/
  

• Other Sources of Neurotoxicity
  
  
  • Toxic damage to the immune system, mitochondria, glands and nervous system (Found in high percentage of CFS cases)
    (a) Test for heavy metals in the body
    (b) Test for organo-phosphates, chemicals and carbon monoxide levels in the body
  
  
  • Intestinal  toxic damage to the immune system, mitochondria, glands and nervous system (Found in high percentage of CFS cases)
    (a) Colonoscopy and Endoscopy to investigate intestinal abnormalities
    (b) Specific Breath test and Urine test recommended by Dr. Kenny De Meirleir, Belgium
    (c) Comprehensive Digestive Stool Analysis
    (d) Comprehensive Digestive Stool Analysis with parasitology & Comprehensive parasitology test
    (e) Test for Digestive status
    (f) Tests for Leaky gut & Intestinal Dysbiosis
    (g) Vitamin and mineral status of patient
    (h) Celiac test & Helicobacteria pylori test
    
  
  
  • Toxic stress to the immune system through Allergies, Sinusitis and chronic immune system activation
    (a) Test for allergies to food
    (b) Test for allergies to chemicals
    (c) Test for allergies to any substance
  
  
  • Damaged mitochondria and defective Krebs cycle and ATP production. (Found in high percentage of cases)

• Abnormally changed genes associated with the following biological pathways and proteins after exercise have been linked to ME/CFS according to studies conducted by Dr. Light in the University of Utah, USA:

1. sensory receptors (ASICS, 2PX4, 2PX5, TPRIV1)

2. adrenergic receptors (sympathetic nervous system) (Alpha 2a, Beta-1, Beta-2, COMT)

3. cytokine receptors (IL-6, IL-10, TNF-a, CD14, TLRFA)

There is significant and continuing abnormalities in these genes and receptors after exercise.according studies conducted by Dr. Light in Utah. These are neurological and immune system markers. Measure these markers after exercise.