ME/CFS MRI Study

There is absence of diagnostic biomarkers and treatments for ME/CFS despite its high prevalence and disabling nature. Using multimodal MRI, the aim of the study is to investigate for changes in brain function, metabolism and anatomy that might underlie inflammation in patients with ME/CFS. This pilot study will enable the development of a larger scale study to better understand the underlying mechanism of ME progression, thus, enabling future treatment development. This study will also recruit participants with post-COVID fatigue syndrome (PCFS), who will be enrolled in a double-blinded randomized clinical trial of low dose naltrexone, and who will have repeated MRI studies 4 months apart.

Principal Investigators

Dr. Luis Nacul, MD, PhD; Senior Research Scientist, BC Women’s Hospital + Health Centre; Clinical Associate Professor, UBC

Dr. Xiaowei Song, MSc, PhD, MSCS; Senior Research Scientist, Fraser Health Authority

Patient Partners

Kati Debelic, RN (Patient Co-lead)

Hilary Robertson, MScHA, PhD