Noradrenergic and Stress-Related Etiologies of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
About this trial
This is an interventional other trial for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome focused on measuring CFS, Stress, Norepinephrine Transporter (NET), Norepinephrine (NE), Healthy Controls, Fatigue
Eligibility Criteria
Chronic Fatigue Participants:
Inclusion Criteria:
- Confirmed chronic fatigue with severity >50 on a scale of 1 to 100 that is not improving over time
- Meet The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) diagnostic criteria of CFS (self-reported persistent or relapsing fatigue lasting 6 or more consecutive months)
Exclusion Criteria:
- Male and female subjects <18 or >60 years
- Obesity, defined as a BMI of 30 or more
- Presence of other medical or psychiatric conditions known to cause fatigue (alcohol/drug abuse, anorexia nervosa, bipolar disorder, bulimia nervosa, dementia, major depression, psychotic/delusional disorders, schizophrenia)
- Presence of sleep disorder/disruption known to cause fatigue (sleep apnea, narcolepsy)
- Cardiovascular, pulmonary, hepatic, or hematological disease by history or prior testing defined as significant by investigator (including but not limited to chronic hepatitis, chronic kidney disease, cirrhosis, emphysema, heart failure, HIV, lupus, multiple sclerosis, myasthenia gravis, rheumatoid arthritis)
- History of hypertension defined as supine resting BP>145/95 mmHg off medications or needing antihypertensive medication
- Patients taking medications that can affect autonomic function or plasma catecholamines (vasoactive drugs), stimulants, and/or are sedatives
- Other factors which in the opinion of the investigator could potentially impact the study outcomes (e.g., underlying disease, medications, history)* or prevent the participant from completing the protocol (poor compliance or unpredictable schedule)
- Inability to stand unassisted for 10 minutes
- Patients who are bedridden or chair-ridden
- Patients who are colorblind
- Inability or refusal to give informed consent for any reason including a diagnosis of dementia or cognitive impairment
- Patients who are pregnant or breastfeeding
Healthy Control Participants:
- Participant with no significant reported conditions or medications.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Male and female subjects <18 or >60 years
- Obesity, defined as a BMI of 30 or more
- Presence of any serious or chronic disease, or prescription medication as deemed by investigator including hypertension as defined by supine resting BP >145/95 mmHg off medications or needing antihypertensive medication
- Other factors which in the investigator's opinion would prevent the participant from completing the protocol, including poor compliance during previous studies or an unpredictable schedule
- Inability to stand unassisted for 10 minutes
- Patients who are bedridden or chair-ridden
- Patients who are colorblind
- Inability or refusal to give informed consent for any reason including a diagnosis of dementia or cognitive impairment
- Patients who are pregnant or breastfeeding
- Stress Overload Score above 66
Sites / Locations
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Experimental
Active Comparator
Chronic Fatigue Patients
Healthy Controls
Patients between 18-60 years of age with fatigue symptoms who meet preliminary chronic fatigue phenotype criteria and complete preliminary screening surveys. Participants will undergo a Posture Study, Autonomic Function Tests, and a Stress Test. Participants' blood will be drawn to measure markers of sympathetic nervous system function.
Patients between 18-60 years of age with no known conditions or prescription medications who meet preliminary screening criteria. Participants will undergo a Posture Study, Autonomic Function Tests, and a Stress Test. Participants' blood will be drawn to measure markers of sympathetic nervous system function.