CFS CFS Pathophysiology and Research 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What infectious trigger has been most commonly associated with the onset of CFS?
- HIV infection
- Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and other viral infections (Correct answer)
- Bacterial pneumonia
- Parasitic infections
Correct answer: Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and other viral infections
CFS frequently begins after a viral illness, with Epstein-Barr virus among the most studied triggers, though many other infections can also precipitate it.
Question 2: What does 'post-infectious fatigue syndrome' (PIFS) describe in relation to CFS?
- A distinct condition with no relation to CFS
- A subset of CFS that develops following an acute infection (Correct answer)
- A temporary condition lasting only days
- A purely psychological response to illness
Correct answer: A subset of CFS that develops following an acute infection
Post-infectious fatigue syndrome describes cases where CFS develops following an acute infection, representing a significant subset of CFS patients.
Question 3: Which brain imaging finding has been reported in some CFS research?
- No differences from healthy controls
- Neuroinflammation and reduced gray matter volume in some studies (Correct answer)
- Enlarged ventricles in all cases
- Complete absence of brain activity in affected areas
Correct answer: Neuroinflammation and reduced gray matter volume in some studies
Some CFS neuroimaging studies have reported evidence of neuroinflammation and reduced gray matter volume compared to healthy controls.
Question 4: What does the 'metabolic trap' hypothesis propose about CFS?
- CFS is caused by metabolic syndrome
- An enzyme deficiency traps tryptophan metabolism, contributing to CFS symptoms (Correct answer)
- Fat metabolism is impaired in CFS
- Glucose cannot be metabolized by muscles
Correct answer: An enzyme deficiency traps tryptophan metabolism, contributing to CFS symptoms
The metabolic trap hypothesis proposes that an enzyme deficiency creates a metabolic trap in tryptophan metabolism, which may contribute to the pathology of CFS.
Question 5: Which type of cells has been found to behave abnormally under mechanical stress in CFS research by Robert Naviaux and others?
- Red blood cells
- Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) showing altered ion channel function (Correct answer)
- Platelets
- Neutrophils
Correct answer: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) showing altered ion channel function
Research has shown that peripheral blood mononuclear cells from CFS patients exhibit altered ion channel function and abnormal responses to stress compared to healthy controls.
Question 6: What does 'aerobic energy impairment' mean in CFS research?
- CFS patients cannot exercise at all
- Reduced capacity to generate energy through aerobic (oxygen-dependent) pathways (Correct answer)
- CFS patients have increased anaerobic capacity
- Aerobic exercise cures CFS
Correct answer: Reduced capacity to generate energy through aerobic (oxygen-dependent) pathways
Aerobic energy impairment in CFS refers to a reduced ability to generate ATP through normal oxygen-dependent metabolic pathways, contributing to the profound fatigue.
CFS CFS Pathophysiology and Research 2
What infectious trigger has been most commonly associated with the onset of CFS?