ELUCIDATE

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  EluCidATe: Exploring pain and autonomic dysfunction in Chronic fatigue syndrome/ myalgic encephalomyelitis and Temporomandibular disorders

• IRAS ID

  262535

• Contact name

  Justin Durham

• Contact email

  justin.durham@newcastle.ac.uk

• Sponsor organisation

  The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

• Duration of Study in the UK

  2 years, 6 months, 2 days

• Research summary

  Widespread pain is a problem for people with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) and impacts on everyday activities. In particular, a group of musculoskeletal conditions affecting the muscles of the jaw, temporomandibular disorders (TMD), are more common in ME/CFS and cause pain in the face and jaw. Our research suggests that one reason for the link between ME/CFS and TMD may be that they have a similar underlying problem affecting the autonomic nervous system (ANS), which controls many unconscious activities such as breathing and circulation. The ANS is known to work less well in ME/CFS and this is worse still when TMD is also present.

  This study focuses on pain as a common, debilitating ME/CFS symptom. To investigate the contribution of the ANS to pain, we will examine brain responses to, and subjective experience of experimentally induced pain in four groups of people:

  1) ME/CFS only;
  2) ME/CFS who have TMD;
  3) TMD only;
  4) Healthy participants without ME/CFS or TMD.

  We will use a method called electroencephalography (EEG) to measure the brain’s electrical activity using small sensors on the scalp. Examining the brain’s response to painful pressure in different body regions (finger and jaw) in each of these groups will help us understand how pain differs in ME/CFS to in other people, and where in the brain these differences are located. We will also investigate whether we can “calm” the ANS using non-invasive stimulation of the vagus nerve (part of the ANS) and measure the effect this has on brain activity.

  The study will inform future treatments for ME/CFS by identifying where in the brain differences in response to pain occur, what part the ANS plays, and by understanding why some people might differ in their response to treatment.

• REC name

  North East - Newcastle & North Tyneside 2 Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  22/NE/0047

• Date of REC Opinion

  23 Mar 2022

• REC opinion

  Unfavourable Opinion