"Medical Research Council: Registered Files, Scientific Matters (S Series) F... Closed extracts: 40 pages . Myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME)/postviral fatigue syndrome (PFS) : papers and journal articles; correspondence and enquiries with MRC replies Closed extracts: 40 pages Date range: 1988 - 1997."
"These extracts contain information supplied in confidence by named individuals to the Medical Research Council in relation to applications for research grants and confidential discussions on the selection of candidates."
Four applications for research grants into M.E./CFS have been considered by the MRC since May 2008, none of these applications were considered to be scientifically competitive and were not funded.
Summary information on the four applications considered is as follows:
1) Proof of principle (pathophysiology)
2) Autonomic dysfunction in CFS/ME pathophysiology)
3) Population based comparative study (epidemiology)
4) Risk factors (epidemiology)
The MRC seem only willing to fund psychiatric 'research' into the neurological illness M.E.
Time-frame (number of applications) CFS/ME subject area 2002 to 2005 (11 total) Neurophysiology of fatigue; Population-based/epidemiological studies (4 applications); Neurotransmitters and stress; Neuroimaging; Clinical and laboratory characterisation physiology/diagnosis); Dietary intervention — RCT; Facilitated self-help — RCT; Psychosocial and genetic factors in young people 2005 to 2006 (12 total) Pathophysiology, including studies regarding genetics/biomarkers, immunology and neuroimaging (7 applications); Population-based/epidemiological studies (3); Primary care study; Experimental medicine study 2006 to April 2007 (7 total) Cognitive outcomes in children — pathophysiology; Epidemiological studies — epidemiology; Biomarkers; Pathophysiology (2 applications); Molecular pathogenesis — pathophysiology; Molecular and genetic characterisation — pathophysiology; Neuroimaging — pathophysiology May 2007 to June 2008 (3 total) Biomarkers — pathophysiology; Management and treatment — intervention; Management and treatment — observational study
"So, what research has since (2003) been funded? Well, at least five separate studies (see below) costing at least £3,180,900 have been supported. From the bald titles, it is impossible to determine what each involves, but it seems that three fall far short of being definitive (one is for “indirect support”, one is for a “CFS-like illness”, and one is simply a feasibility study, albeit an expensive one), while the remaining two are randomised clinical trials (RCTs) of psychosocial strategies."
Modulation of antigen-induced chronic fatigue in mouse model of water immersion stress by naringin, a polyphenolic antioxidant.
Journal: Fundam Clin Pharmacol. 2009 Mar 10. [Epub ahead of print]
Authors: Vij G, Gupta A, Chopra K.
Affiliation: Pharmacology Division, University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Punjab University, Chandigarh - 160014, India.
NLM Citation: PMID: 19469804
' Abstract It is believed that physical stress, infection and oxidative stress are involved in the development of chronic fatigue syndrome. There is little evidence stating the beneficial role of nutritional supplements in chronic fatigue syndrome. Based on this, this study was designed to evaluate the effect of naringin, a natural polyphenol, in a mouse model of immunologically-induced fatigue, wherein purified lipopolysaccharide (LPS) as well as Brucella abortus (BA) antigen was used as immunogens.
The assessment of chronic fatigue syndrome was based on chronic water-immersion stress test for 10 mins as well as measurement of hyperalgesia for 19 days. Immobility time and tail withdrawal latency as well as oxidative stress were taken as the markers of fatigue.
Mice challenged with LPS or BA for 19 days showed significant increase in the immobility time, hyperalgesia and oxidative stress on 19th day. Serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) levels markedly increased with LPS or BA challenge. Concurrent treatment with naringin resulted in the significant decrease in the immobility time as well as hyperalgesia. There was significant attenuation of oxidative stress as well as in TNF-alpha levels.
Present findings strongly suggest the role of oxidative stress and immunological activation in the pathophysiology of chronic fatigue syndrome, and treatment with naringin can be a valuable option in chronic fatigue syndrome.
What is being hidden by an organisation funded by taxpayer's money?
ReplyDeletehttp://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/displaycataloguedetails.asp?CATLN=7&CATID=-5475665&j=1
"Medical Research Council: Registered Files, Scientific Matters (S Series) F...
Closed extracts: 40 pages . Myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME)/postviral fatigue syndrome (PFS) : papers and journal articles; correspondence and enquiries with MRC replies Closed extracts: 40 pages Date range: 1988 - 1997."
"These extracts contain information supplied in confidence by named individuals to the Medical Research Council in relation to applications for research grants and confidential discussions on the selection of candidates."
Four applications for research grants into M.E./CFS have been considered
ReplyDeleteby the MRC since May 2008, none of these
applications were considered to be scientifically
competitive and were not funded.
Summary information on the four applications
considered is as follows:
1) Proof of principle (pathophysiology)
2) Autonomic dysfunction in CFS/ME
pathophysiology)
3) Population based comparative study
(epidemiology)
4) Risk factors (epidemiology)
The MRC seem only willing to fund psychiatric 'research' into the neurological illness M.E.
http://www.meresearch.org.uk/information/publications/casetoanswer.html
ReplyDelete"The Medical Research Council: a case to answer?"
Time-frame (number of applications) CFS/ME subject area
2002 to 2005 (11 total) Neurophysiology of fatigue; Population-based/epidemiological studies (4 applications); Neurotransmitters and stress; Neuroimaging; Clinical and laboratory characterisation physiology/diagnosis); Dietary intervention — RCT; Facilitated self-help — RCT; Psychosocial and genetic factors in young people
2005 to 2006 (12 total) Pathophysiology, including studies regarding genetics/biomarkers, immunology and neuroimaging (7 applications); Population-based/epidemiological studies (3); Primary care study; Experimental medicine study
2006 to April 2007 (7 total) Cognitive outcomes in children — pathophysiology; Epidemiological studies — epidemiology; Biomarkers; Pathophysiology (2 applications); Molecular pathogenesis — pathophysiology; Molecular and genetic characterisation — pathophysiology; Neuroimaging — pathophysiology
May 2007 to June 2008 (3 total) Biomarkers — pathophysiology; Management and treatment — intervention; Management and treatment — observational study
"So, what research has since (2003) been funded? Well, at least five separate studies (see below) costing at least £3,180,900 have been supported. From the bald titles, it is impossible to determine what each involves, but it seems that three fall far short of being definitive (one is for “indirect support”, one is for a “CFS-like illness”, and one is simply a feasibility study, albeit an expensive one), while the remaining two are randomised clinical trials (RCTs) of psychosocial strategies."
The whole thing stinks.
Modulation of antigen-induced chronic fatigue in mouse model of water
ReplyDeleteimmersion stress by naringin, a polyphenolic antioxidant.
Journal: Fundam Clin Pharmacol. 2009 Mar 10. [Epub ahead of print]
Authors: Vij G, Gupta A, Chopra K.
Affiliation: Pharmacology Division, University Institute of
Pharmaceutical Sciences, Punjab University, Chandigarh - 160014, India.
NLM Citation: PMID: 19469804
'
Abstract
It is believed that physical stress, infection and oxidative stress
are involved in the development of chronic fatigue syndrome. There is
little evidence stating the beneficial role of nutritional
supplements in chronic fatigue syndrome. Based on this, this study
was designed to evaluate the effect of naringin, a natural
polyphenol, in a mouse model of immunologically-induced fatigue,
wherein purified lipopolysaccharide (LPS) as well as Brucella abortus
(BA) antigen was used as immunogens.
The assessment of chronic fatigue syndrome was based on chronic
water-immersion stress test for 10 mins as well as measurement of
hyperalgesia for 19 days. Immobility time and tail withdrawal latency
as well as oxidative stress were taken as the markers of fatigue.
Mice challenged with LPS or BA for 19 days showed significant
increase in the immobility time, hyperalgesia and oxidative stress on
19th day. Serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) levels
markedly increased with LPS or BA challenge. Concurrent treatment
with naringin resulted in the significant decrease in the immobility
time as well as hyperalgesia. There was significant attenuation of
oxidative stress as well as in TNF-alpha levels.
Present findings strongly suggest the role of oxidative stress and
immunological activation in the pathophysiology of chronic fatigue
syndrome, and treatment with naringin can be a valuable option in
chronic fatigue syndrome.