Chronic fatigue syndrome linked to changes in immune cells, study finds

The study covered 89 ME/CFS patients and 60 healthy volunteers. Flow cytometry analyses showed roughly a 30 per cent drop in mitochondrial efficiency for energy production in patient T cells. The gap was sharpest in those with the most severe symptoms.

The team, led by Professor Lynn Corcoran, said the results expose ME/CFS's often debated physical roots, underlining that the disease is 'not always psychological'. The findings parallel research into long Covid.

The World Health Organization said in its latest report that ME/CFS prevalence reaches roughly four cases per 1,000 people in advanced economies. Australia's government has opened a new 28 million dollar research fund for the condition. The MEAction Network in Europe is calling for the fund to be scaled up.