European Parliament questions

9 November 2017
"Subject: Funding of research on ME/CFS

Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) affects more than one million people within the EU. This illness is characterised by persistent and excessive fatigue, post-exertional malaise, flu-like symptoms and cognitive impairments. Most sufferers are unable to lead a normal life. Those affected are predominately women.

Many of the symptoms of ME/CFS overlap with those of Lyme disease and fibromyalgia.

There are no established biological diagnostic tests for ME/CFS, nor are there any treatments.

Scientists from Newcastle and Cornell Universities have recently published data showing that mitochondrial energy production is impaired in ME/CFS, while mental health remains normal. Scientists at Stanford University have also recently published data showing activation of immune cells (clonal expansion) in ME/CFS, which is similar to that found in Lyme disease.

These studies highlight the need for biological research into ME/CFS. Recently, the American National Institute for Health (NIH) allocated funding to biological ME/CFS Research Centres and single ME/CFS projects.

1. Will the Commission review the recently published biological ME/CFS studies and fund expanded studies which include Lyme disease and fibromyalgia?

2. Will the Commission review the recent allocation of NIH funding for biological ME/CFS research and set out how it proposes to fund ME/CFS research?"

 

I hate it when groups make it sound like ME is all about Lyme or pretty much the same thing as fibromyalgia. How can anyone answer a question which itself contains assumptions that can't be accepted?

Any idea who asked these questions?

 

Alex Mayer (S&D) I think. I can't access the answer:
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=WQ&reference=E-2017-006901&format=XML&language=EN

eta:
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/meps/en/185637/ALEX_MAYER_home.html
Female MEP(Labour) from UK (High Wycombe England)

 

Another question :
"
Parliamentary questions

101k 17k
28 August 2018
E-004360-18
Question for written answer E-004360-18
to the Commission
Rule 130
Rory Palmer (S&D)

Subject: Myalgic encephalomyelitis: recognition by the World Health Organisation and Commission support for research and training
Answer in writing

Will the Commission make formal representations to the World Health Organisation (WHO) in support of the WHO officially recognising myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) as a ‘serious, chronic, complex and multisystem disease that frequently and dramatically limits the activities of affected patients’ (as defined by the Institute of Medicine in 2015)?

Furthermore, will the Commission support further and accelerated biomedical research to develop improved diagnostic methods and treatments for ME?

Will the Commission undertake to support efforts to ensure appropriate and improved medical education and training for health and social care professionals working with ME patients?

http://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/E-8-2018-004360_EN.html?redirect

here is the answer

http://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/E-8-2018-004360-ASW_EN.pdf

 

Subject: Chronic fatigue syndrome

Answer in writing

Myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), or chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), is a severe disease affecting more than one million people in the European Union, 80% of whom are women.

New research shows that ‘phenylalanine can be used as a potential biomarker for the diagnosis of CFS’(1) .

This is a blood-based diagnostic test for ME/CFS.

Is the Commission aware of this new research?

Will it make funding available for the research and development of diagnostic tests for ME/CFS?


(1) https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2018/an/c8an01437j#!divAbstract

thread here:
https://www.s4me.info/threads/a-new...an-micro-spectroscopy-2018-morten-et-al.5445/

answer:

http://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/E-8-2018-006124_EN.html