Replicated blood-based biomarkers for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis not explicable by inactivity, 2024, Beentjes, Ponting et al

[Jonathan Edwards]

Carson gets almost everything wrong. He seems to be most annoyed by the idea that psychiatriy is being slighted.

It is a pity that there was any mention of diagnostic tests really. That is not what this sort of research should aim for. But Carson doesn't even get the history of the biology right.

I agree with Initial Conditions that this is not a paper to make a song and dance about. It probably provides some useful information on what matters when selecting cohorts but I don't see lipid abnormalities providing a major lead.

 

[dave30th]

I did this interview with Chris when the pre-print was published:

 

[MrMagoo]

Meh the average Joe will absorb the headline, the headline implies ME can be seen in blood samples. Job done. 95% of people dont care about Carson whoever he is.

 

[wigglethemouse]

Chris Ponting was on BBC news today around 7.30 a.m. although the Science Media Centre preceded him. I didn't hear the full interview, unfortunately.

Comment about it on X

"Frustrating the Radio 4 Today team consulted the Science Media Centre for the piece on a blood test for ME. The Science Media Centre’s behavioural beliefs about ME have been debunked so many times it is incredible anyone still talks to them."

 

[dave30th]

I also don't see any significant overlaps with the results in Pu et al. - has Carson even skimmed through either paper, or is he just winging it?

My impression was that he wasn't saying the specific findings overlapped so much as saying that analyzing blood from those suffering from mental/emotional disorders, in this case depression, can simillarly yield biological markers.

 

[dave30th]

I doubt that this can be seen as stigmatising or derogatory.

very stigmatizing of the "deconditioned"???

 

[dave30th]

I also think Carson has never done any research on ME/CFS, yet he has been able to comment as an SMC expert on multiple ME/CFS studies.

that's a good point, but has the other guy, who reviewed it positively, done any ME/CFS research?

 

[Jonathan Edwards]

that's a good point, but has the other guy, who reviewed it positively, done any ME/CFS research?

No but he is a reasonable independent expert rather than an expressor of sour grapes who gets his sums wrong.