CFS Public Health Research Program 5-year Strategic Plan | CDC Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

CFS Public Health Research Program 5-year Strategic Plan | CDC Chronic Fatigue Syndrome:

Heavy reading but could impact on the future treatment and well being of all with CFS

"Laboratory Studies
The integration of laboratory studies with specific CFS research protocols helps to clarify associations of behavioral and environmental risk factors (including infection) with clinical and psychosocial attributes of CFS, to identify subsets of the illness CFS, and to identify potential therapeutic targets.

Measure neuroendocrinologic, metabolic, immunologic, and infectious characteristics of CFS
Evaluate genetics, epigenetics, and gene expression
Identify potential diagnostic and therapeutic agents
Evaluate the potential association of human herpes virus 6 (HHV-6) and xenotropic murine leukemia virus-related virus (XMRV) with CFS using specimens from well-characterized patients and matched controls
Maintain a biorepository of clinical specimens collected during population and clinical studies for in-house and collaborative molecular analyses
Develop a funding opportunity announcement to explore the application of novel pathogen discovery approaches to existing, well-characterized clinical specimens...

Clinical Intervention Studies
Clinical behavioral intervention studies will be conducted in collaboration with Emory University School of Medicine, Bibb County Medical Society, Mercer School of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, and UK National Health Service. Anticipated protocol development will begin in late 2010-2011, with studies continuing through 2013.

Evaluate cognitive behavioral therapy and graded exercise in participants
Stratify impact of intervention by various parameters including duration of illness, onset type, early life stress, psychiatric comorbidity, cortisol responsiveness, and fMRI changes"