Medscape has made a top 10-list of most searched for and most read subjects in 2017. Each subject gets a short introduction. CFS came on a 6th place and is described with the most common symptoms and a mention of research on PDH-enzyme. The findings suggests that a reduction in the amino acids that fuel oxidative metabolism could result in a shortage of energy in muscles and a build-up of lactate. This may have major implications for understand and treating a challenging condition, leading to the popularity of this top term. Trend 6: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
ME/CFS could become a hot field in research. The illness is probably poorly understood because it's different than other illnesses. As soon as there are signs that progress can be made, to researchers it will no longer look like an unsolvable frustrating problem but an exciting opportunity.We are not there yet but more researchers are starting to pay attention. Following a surge of researcher interest, there could then a sort of gold rush as pharmaceutical industry realizes that treatments for millions of currently untreated patients can be developed. It could very well be that whatever is found in ME/CFS applies to other diseases as well which would increase interest further.
Medscape links to a study on cell-metabolism in their text on CFS, but only members have access to what it is linked to. I tried to register, but didn't get through. Someone here who is a member and can say which study is referred to?
Which actual page is that on? ETA: IF it's the Trending text, it's the 2016 Fluge & Mella paper on PDH deficiencies.
Makes me nervous... I have to say, I can be less than enthusiastic about 'awareness raising', when there's still such potential for it to blow up in our face. I don't want to be a trend until we've got a lot less quackery hanging around us! Having said that, Medscape seem to have done some good and cautious coverage over the last few years, so it's probably a decent sign coming from them.