Phenotyping Orthostatic Intolerance and Regulation of Cerebral Blood Flow in ME/CFS
Aim and Approach
To better understand why people with ME/CFS become dizzy or exhausted when standing up, researchers are investigating how orthostatic intolerance (OI) develops and how it can be measured more accurately.
The project consists of two complementary sub-studies.
In the first study, researchers will map the different forms of OI. They will use measurements from postural tests such as the NASA Lean Test, as well as heart rate, blood pressure, nerve function, and cognitive performance. This will help them identify which types of OI occur, how severe the symptoms are, and how they compare with those seen in other post-infectious conditions, such as post-COVID and post-Q fever.
The second study focuses on what happens in the brain when body position changes. Using advanced techniques, researchers simulate standing upright while participants are lying in the MRI scanner. This allows them to investigate how changes in blood flow to the brain contribute to OI symptoms.
Expected Results
The researchers hope to better distinguish between the different forms of OI in ME/CFS and to measure them more objectively. MRI scans may help identify abnormalities in blood flow to the brain. This knowledge could contribute to improved diagnosis, more targeted treatments, and a deeper understanding of the disease.
