The first program funded by the Association was its research grant program. Since 1987 the Association has provided nearly $5.33 million in direct support of CFS research studies, has hosted scientific symposia and has cosponsored meetings to identify promising areas of investigation.

The CFIDS Association of America issues funding announcements as part of its research grants program. Its most recent Request for Applications was issued on April 6, 2011. This Request for Applications (RFA) solicited research proposals that will advance objective diagnosis and effective treatment of CFS. Letters of intent were due June 3, 2011 and the deadline has now passed. For more information about this funding opportunity, please visit http://www.cfids.org/research/rfa-2011.asp.

The current purpose of the CFIDS Association’s research program is to accelerate progress toward accurate diagnosis and effective treatment of CFS by directly supporting research studies, facilitating collaboration among investigators and pursuing increased investment in CFS research by public, private and commercial institutions. 

For more information on the Research Grants Program contact the Research Grants Officer. 

2008-2010 Awarded Research Grants

During the 2008-2010 funding cycle, six CFS research projects totaling $647,940 in support were awarded, as described below.

PI Name: Gordon Broderick, PhD
Institution:  University of Alberta
Title:  Molecular patterns of persistent immune activation in a post-infectious adolescent cohort

• Objective: To use network analysis of gene expression and endocrine measures to identify biomarkers that describe the events from infectious mononucleosis (IM) to post-infection CFS.

• Method: Construct immune and endocrine profiles for 12 post-IM subjects and 12 matched controls.  Examine blood from acute IM, 6, 12 and 24 months by gene expression and correlating with blood cell subsets and endocrine measures.

• Why This Study is Important:
• Epstein-Barr Virus causes IM that can trigger (possibly cause) CFS.
• By studying the immune and endocrine response in people from the time of IM to development of CFS, we can identify early disease and disease progression biomarkers.
• Studying subjects over time allows identification of the series of events that precede disease and perturbed pathways.
• These markers are important for early detection, objective diagnosis, targets for intervention.

• About Dr. Broderick: Young, new investigator to CFS. Associate Professor in the Department of Medicine since 2007. Intrigued, engaged, innovative. Recently voted Small Group Teacher of the Year by the Medical Students’ Association at University of Alberta.

• Collaborators: Renee Taylor (University of Illinois-Chicago); Ben Katz (University of Illinois-Chicago); Sol Efroni (National Center for Biotechnology Information and Weizmann Institute)

PI Name:  Kathleen  Light, PhD     
Institution:  University of Utah Health Sciences Center
Title:  Novel ion channel-based biomarkers in CFS

• Objective: 30 to 70% of CFS patients have chronic muscle and joint pain. Acid-sensing and ion channel receptors affect pain sensation and in CFS, this receptor sensing system is overactive. The objective of this study is to expand the findings of post-exercise increases in acid-sensing and ion channel receptors on blood cells.

• Method: 30 CFS (60-70% likely to have chronic widespread pain) and 30 pain-free healthy controls.  Blood drawn before and after physical exertion for 25 minutes on Airdyne bicycle. Measure cardiovascular function and assess cytokines, acid-sensing, ion-channel and SNS receptors on blood.

• Why This Study is Important:
• Receptors important for the sensation of pain and fatigue are found on blood cells.
• By expanding NIH-funded pilot study, investigators will identify blood biomarkers of post-exercise pain and fatigue.
• Combination of blood markers will identify CFS subtypes that will help guide and improve treatment.
• Will guide research on ways to alleviate symptoms by studying markers in CFS subjects on certain medications and physical exercise programs.

• About Dr. Light: Recipient of an NIH R21 to study neuroimmune mechanisms in CFS in 2006; this grant will extend her preliminary data. Very well published on the topic of pain conditions, but new to CFS.

• Collaborators: Alan Light, PhD (University of Utah) and Lucinda Bateman, MD (CFS expert in private practice)

PI Name: Marvin Medow, MD
Institution: New York Medical College
Title: Splanchnic vasoconstriction is impaired by microbiomic nitric oxide production reducing cerebral blood flow in CFS

• Objective: To determine if postural hemodynamic changes cause neurocognitive deficits as a result of impaired cerebral blood flow and modulation of nitric oxide (NO) and reactive oxygen species (ROS).

• Methods: 15 CFS/POTS, 15 CFS, 15 matched controls from same cohort as those patients studied by Dr. Shungu. Extensive cardiovascular measurements during tilt. Plethysmography, transcranial Doppler, real-time cutaneous readings of nitrous oxide bioavailability and ROS.

• Why This Study is Important:
• Provides the measurements necessary to determine if chronic inflammation and oxidative stress help explain increased brain lactate.
• Identify autonomic nervous system (ANS) subtypes of CFS.
• Provides objective evidence of sympathetic nervous system activation/excitation in CFS.
• Findings could implicate the “root” of the problem since investigators have noted patients develop POTS after infection.

• About Dr. Medow: Established physiologist and associate director of the Center for Hypotension at New York Medical College.

• Collaborators: Benjamin Natelson, MD; Julian Stewart, MD, PhD (New York Medical College); Dikoma Shungu, PhD (Weil Cornell Medical College); Bud Mishra, PhD (New York University)

PI Name: Bud Mishra, PhD
Institution:  New York University School of Medicine
Title:  Translate science to a cure for CFIDS

• Objective:  To seek an etiologic explanation for CFS symptoms by designing a system that combines published literature with experimental data.

• Methods:  Construct a database of full text articles, existing databases (e.g., KEGG) and develop a statistical method to capture meaningful relationships that allows the construction of models that describe aspects of CFS.

• Why This Study is Important:
• Unbiased approach to explain CFS (compared by reviewers to creating a “Google for CFS”).
• Build an invaluable knowledgebase of CFS.
• Provide mechanistic explanations for CFS only possible by integrating existing and experimental data.
• Provide a suite of tools that will allow investigators to query all aspects of the CFS system, all of which will be available to other investigators as open access tools.
• Computer hardware and software required to conduct this study would cost millions of dollars.
• Exciting discovery potential

• About Dr. Mishra: Established mathematician who has published extensively and holds many patents. 28 graduate students, collaborations with IBM, Google and biomedical industry.

• Collaborators:  29th graduate student; Dikoma Shungu, PhD (Weil Cornell Medical College); Julian Stewart, MD, PhD (New York Medical College)

PI Name: Sanjay Shukla, PhD
Institution:  Marshfield Clinic Research Foundation
Title:  Metagenomics approach to study chronic fatigue syndrome patients

• Objective: Determine if there is an altered ratio of gut commensal and pathogenic bacteria in CFS and if exercise increases microbe translocation to cause post-exertion symptoms.

• Method: 6 CFS and 6 household controls. Exercise challenge with stool and blood samples taken before and after exercise. Catalogue bacteria in stool; examine blood for inflammatory markers.

• Why This Study is Important:
• Metagenomics involves sampling the genome sequences of a community of organisms inhabiting a common environment (in this case the intestinal tract);
• Could explain increase gut disturbance and post-exertional relapse common in CFS;
• Could provide evidence for metabolic disturbance;
• Could provide evidence for chronic inflammation and immune dysfunction; and,
• Could suggest intervention strategies.

• About Dr. Shukla: Established microbiologist. Introduced to CFS in 2000.  Novel and powerful approach, strong team.

• Collaborators: Dane Cook, PhD (University of Wisconsin); Dan Frank, PhD (Colorado University); Steve Yale, PhD (Marshfield Clinical Research Foundation)

PI Name: Dikoma Shungu, PhD
Institution:  Weill Medical College of Cornell University
Title:  MR neuroimaging assessment of cerebral metabolic substrates and regional blood flow in CFS

• Objective: Use magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS, an advanced MRI method) to measure specific brain chemicals. The investigators build upon preliminary evidence showing elevated lactate in CFS patients. Examine chemicals in blood and brain that are indicators of oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction.

• Method: Compare the brain profiles between 20 CFS, 20 MDD and 20 healthy controls. Examine blood samples for markers of oxidative stress. CFS subjects will come from Drs. Medow and Natelson.

• Why This Study is Important:
• Increased brain lactate indicates abnormal metabolism in CFS.
• By expanding study to additional disease control groups, can determine whether elevated lactate is specific to CFS.
• Provides objective evidence of metabolic problem in CFS that could be used for disability.
• Findings could implicate the “root” of the problem causing CFS.

• About Dr. Shungu: Established researcher in neuroimaging and neurometabolism. Relatively new to CFS research, although is a past Association grantee. Dr. Shungu’s earlier study was recently published in NMR Medicine.

• Collaborators: Sanjay Mathew, MD (Columbia University); Benjamin Natelson, MD; Marvin Medow, MD; Julian Stewart, MD, PhD (New York Medical College); Bud Mishra, PhD (New York University)

All research projects funded received the highest evaluation scores for scientific and strategic merit as assessed by two independent panels. All investigators have agreed to conditions of award identified by the reviewers, one of which was to collaborate as the first funded CFS network of investigators. All awardees must fully comply with the Association’s Policies Governing the Award of Research Grants, including rigorous reporting requirements, for funding to continue in a timely manner.

Additional Required Meetings for All Investigators:

First Investigators Meeting, January 18-20, 2009

• Investigators receive background information on CFS and objective classification of subjects and controls. Establish consistent study entry criteria, per the hypothesis being studied
• Investigators present respective studies to gain input from other investigators and selected invited reviewers.
• Link all investigators and establish active collaborations.
• Ensure full understanding of reporting and other compliance requirements for timely grant distributions.
• Solidify project timelines and milestones.

Interim Investigators Meeting, September 13-16, 2009

• Funded investigators present mid-term data to Association staff and other funded investigators with generous question and answer periods to optimize remaining stages of study.
• Invited subject matter experts deliver presentations to expand context of studies.
• Strengthen ongoing collaborations
• Ensure appropriate compliance with reporting and other policy requirements.
• Facilitate site visits (if warranted).

2008 Research Papers by Dr. Suzanne Vernon, the Association’s Scientific Director

Published:

• Smith AK, Dimulescu I, Falkenberg VR, Narasimhan S, Heim C, Vernon SD, Rajeevan MS.  Genetic evaluation of the serotonergic system in chronic fatigue syndrome. PNE. 2008 Feb;33(2):188-97.
• Fuite J, Vernon SD, Broderick G.  Neuroendocrine and immune network re-modeling in chronic fatigue syndrome: An exploratory analysis. Genomics. 2008 Sep 30. [Epub ahead of print].
• Bolshin C, Aspler AL, Vernon SD, Broderick G. Evidence of inflammatory immune signaling in chronic fatigue syndrome. Behavioral Brain Function 2008 Sep 26;4:44.
• Ben-Zvi A, Vernon SD, Broderick G. Model-based therapeutic correction of hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis dysfunction. PLoS Computational Biology, in press.
• Sorensen B, Jones JF, Vernon SD, Rajeevan M. Transcriptional control of complement activation in an exercise model of chronic fatigue syndrome. Molecular Medicine, in press.

Submitted:

• Hickie I, Davenport T, Vernon SD, Nisenbaum R, Reeves WC, Lloyd A and the International Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Study Group.  The construct validity of chronic fatigue syndrome is supported by a multi-national, cross-cultural study.  Under consideration with BMJ.
• Presson A, Sobel E, Papp J, Whistler T, Rajeevan MS, Reeves WC, Vernon SD, Horvath S.  A systems genetic analysis implicates FOXN1 in chronic fatigue syndrome. BMC Systems Biology, under consideration.
• Nater UM, Whistler T, Lonergan W, Mletzko T, Vernon SD, Heim C.  Impact of acute psychosocial stress on peripheral blood gene expression pathways in healthy men. Submitted to Psychoneuroimmunology.

Whistler T, Fletcher MA, Lonergan W, Zeng XR, Lin JM, LaPerriere A,Vernon SD Klimas NG.  Natural killer cell function is depressed in Gulf War Illness. BMC Medical Genomics,