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CFS Pathophysiology and Research Flashcards

6 cards from real CFS practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

Read the first 6 CFS Pathophysiology and Research flashcards as text

  1. What infectious trigger has been most commonly associated with the onset of CFS?

    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.

  2. What does 'post-infectious fatigue syndrome' (PIFS) describe in relation to CFS?

    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.

  3. Which brain imaging finding has been reported in some CFS research?

    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.

  4. What does the 'metabolic trap' hypothesis propose about CFS?

    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.

  5. Which type of cells has been found to behave abnormally under mechanical stress in CFS research by Robert Naviaux and others?

    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.

  6. What does 'aerobic energy impairment' mean in CFS research?

    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.