The XMRV Blog

Science Vs Psychobabble: on the defensive over new CFS research

August 25, 2010
Here's a great example of the kind of skeptical, sneering, reaction that CFS patients have come to expect from some sections of the medical profession. In his article [1] for Psychology Today, Dr. Mark Borigini, appears to adopts a "told you so" attitude, by highlighting the fact that the latest study from PNAS did not find traces of XMRV in CFS patients. However, the latest research did find a related retrovirus in a high number of CFS patients (86.5%). Borigini, who previously spoke of "chronic fatigue syndrome jihadists"[2], makes no mention of the fact that the author of the PNAS study specifically stated that this latest research supports the initial study by the WPI that discovered XMRV in CFS blood samples.

However early, or however much more research is needed, surely we should be welcoming developments in biomedical research rather than seeking to rubbish it.

[1] http://bit.ly/9BNqva
[2] http://bit.ly/6SJrji

Posted by Craig

 

PNAS finds virus in 86.5% of CFS patients in study

August 24, 2010
This latest study didn't find XMRV in CFS patients, but researchers said the variants of MLV-like viruses (closely related to XMRV) they found in CFS patients is evidence of a link between the virus family and the syndrome.

The paper can be viewed here: http://www.pnas.org/content/early/2010/08/16/1006901107.full.pdf+html

The findings have already received coverage in the national press:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/24/health/research/24fatigue.html?hp

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/checkup...
Continue reading...

Posted by Craig

 

XMRV findings replicated and confirmed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration?

August 18, 2010
Some interesting news here (http://www.rgj.com/article/20100816/NEWS/100816069) indicating that the Whittemore Peterson Institute's XMRV research has been replicated by the FDA, with a review of their findings scheduled to be published in September.
Continue reading...

Posted by Craig

 

Documentary about CFS ME

March 31, 2010
I just read about plans to make a documentary about the plight of ME sufferers. Looks interesting - check out the teaser trailer on the site: http://www.whataboutme.biz/index.html

From the site: "We hope to spread the word through this website which will have videos and podcasts on ME, short virals on the ME situation delivered multi-platform, a TV documentary aimed at a prime-time audience, a worldwide theatrical release and a docu-drama dramatizing an ME sufferer’s struggle, based on the n...
Continue reading...

Posted by Craig

 

Regarding the European Studies

March 17, 2010
If XMRV does not, in fact, play a role in ME then the sooner we can establish this the better; to blindly cling to XMRV as a cause would divert attention and resources away from other avenues of enquiry.

But my concern is that the latest studies suggesting that there's not a link (and subsequent discussion/media coverage) don't address a number of points raised by the WPI:

I've taken some of the key points listed on the WPI website http://www.wpinstitute.org/news/news_current.html
 
  •   The authors...
Continue reading...

Posted by Craig

 

XMRV Studies

March 17, 2010
The recent UK studies that have recently cast doubt on the link between XMRV and ME are disappointing to say the least. I read a short piece in the BMJ that discussed these studies. The article did seem to me to take delight (maybe that's too strong a word) in the fact that the US results are looking questionable. Today I found an interesting post http://www.meactionuk.org.uk/Wesselys_Way.htm which lists some quotes over the years from psychiatrist Professor Simon Wessely who co-authored the ...
Continue reading...

Posted by Craig

 

UK XMRV Study Doesn't Support Association Between XMRV & ME/CFS

January 7, 2010
Yesterday a number of newspapers reported results of a UK study which does not support an association between the XMRV virus and CFS in UK patients.

The study was carried out by Imperial College London and King’s College London and published in the peer-reviewed journal PLoS ONE.

Blood samples were taken from 186 ME patients and tested for the presence of DNA from XMRV. A number of control tests were also carried out to show that the DNA in these samples was intact, that any positive findings...
Continue reading...

Posted by Craig

 

XMRV Testing now available in London...

December 22, 2009
OK, it's good news again that XMRV is being taken seriously. But what exactly is this test designed to do? Will peoples' samples be used in the replication studies of the WPI's research? Or is it simply a private test so people know if they have XMRV? If it's the latter, of what use will the results be at this stage? There's still no confirmation that XMRV actually causes CFS/ME. Of course we're all hoping that the research will come through that proves causation, but right now the science on...
Continue reading...

Posted by Craig

 

Raising money for XMRV research

December 7, 2009
If everyone who has visited the XMRV Map had donated $10 to a CFS or Fibro charity we'd have raised almost half a million dollars in less than one week! Makes you think...

Continue reading...

Posted by Craig

 

Growing numbers join CFS / ME MAP

December 2, 2009
Less than 24 hours after it went live we've already had many sufferers add themselves to the map. I think its a great way to show people how many people are out there who need help - it brings home the message more clearly than stories talking about X number of sufferers. Even if the XMRV virus turns out not to be the cause of neuro-immune diseases, it has delivered much needed press coverage. We need to keep up the momentum and keep CFS / XMRV in the media.

Continue reading...

Posted by Craig

 
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About Me


After a couple of years' of illness my sister was diagnosed with ME in 1993. Years, and a battery of tests, later she was also diagnosed as having Fibromyalgia. At first her illness meant she'd have to rest after any exertion or socializing. Over time her condition has worsened to the stage where she is in bed in a darkened room 24/7. She has trouble tolerating light and noise and suffers from near constant headaches and burning pains.
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