First Step Toward Exercise-Based Diagnosis of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

NEWSBRIEF: Research just published in the journal Molecular Medicine represents a first step toward an objective diagnostic test of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS or ME/CFS) that's based on an abnormal response to exercise, called post-exertional malaise.

Basically, researchers discovered a difference in gene expression resulting in a cortisol-related anti-inflammatory response in healthy people, but an inflammatory response in people with ME/CFS. They say more studies need to replicate these findings.

Related Content: Definition of Post-Exertional Malaise; Exercising With Chronic Fatigue Syndrome