Tag: chronobiology

Systems neuroendocrinology in ME/CFS and long COVID: a chronobiological framework for hormone-based research

Abstract:

Hormonal dysregulation is increasingly reported in ME/CFS and Long COVID, yet the broader role of neuroendocrine disruption in these conditions remains underexplored. While changes in steroid, peptide, and neuropeptide hormones have been identified, these findings are often considered in isolation and without attention to their timing or integration within broader physiological systems. The hypothalamic-pituitary axes regulate endocrine, immune, autonomic, nervous, and metabolic functions, systems commonly affected in both conditions, yet their circadian and menstrual dynamics are rarely investigated.

In this review, we examine the evidence for neuroendocrine dysfunction in ME/CFS and Long COVID, focusing on hormone output, functional assays, receptor expression, and the coordination of endocrine biorhythms. Sex hormone signalling emerges as a key area of vulnerability, particularly given the female predominance in both conditions and the complexity of reproductive hormone regulation.

We argue that accurate hormone measurement and time-structured sampling, including circadian and menstrual rhythms, are essential for detecting meaningful biological differences. By embedding chronobiology-aware, dense-sampling strategies and integrating multi-omic analyses into multi-system study designs, we outline a framework for investigating dynamic endocrine mechanisms underlying symptom variability and multisystem dysfunction, which may ultimately support the development of more targeted, personalised interventions.

Source: Thomas N, Huang K, Schneider-Futschik EK, Pollack B, Tal MC, Fineberg D, Wang X, Gurvich C, Pretorius R, Bergquist J, Armstrong CW. Systems neuroendocrinology in ME/CFS and long COVID: a chronobiological framework for hormone-based research. Front Neuroendocrinol. 2026 Jun 19:101268. doi: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2026.101268. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 42320559. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0091302226000385 (Full text)

Circadian rhythm abnormalities and autonomic dysfunction in patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

Abstract:

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) patients frequently show autonomic symptoms which may be associated with a hypothalamic dysfunction. This study aimed to explore circadian rhythm patterns in rest and activity and distal skin temperature (DST) and their association with self-reported outcome measures, in CFS/ME patients and healthy controls at two different times of year.

Ten women who met both the 1994 CDC/Fukuda definition and 2003 Canadian criteria for CFS/ME were included in the study, along with ten healthy controls matched for age, sex and body mass index. Self-reported measures were used to assess fatigue, sleep quality, anxiety and depression, autonomic function and health-related quality of life. The ActTrust actigraph was used to record activity, DST and light intensity, with data intervals of one minute over seven consecutive days. Sleep variables were obtained through actigraphic analysis and from subjective sleep diary. The circadian variables and the spectral analysis of the rhythms were calculated. Linear regression analysis was used to evaluate the relationship between the rhythmic variables and clinical features. Recordings were taken in the same subjects in winter and summer.

Results showed no differences in rhythm stability, sleep latency or number of awakenings between groups as measured with the actigraph. However, daily activity, the relative amplitude and the stability of the activity rhythm were lower in CFS/ME patients than in controls. DST was sensitive to environmental temperature and showed lower nocturnal values in CFS/ME patients than controls only in winter. A spectral analysis showed no differences in phase or amplitude of the 24h rhythm, but the power of the second harmonic (12h), revealed differences between groups (controls showed a post-lunch dip in activity and peak in DST, while CFS/ME patients did not) and correlated with clinical features. These findings suggest that circadian regulation and skin vasodilator responses may play a role in CFS/ME.

Source: Cambras T, Castro-Marrero J, Zaragoza MC, Díez-Noguera A, Alegre J. Circadian rhythm abnormalities and autonomic dysfunction in patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis. PLoS One. 2018 Jun 6;13(6):e0198106. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0198106. eCollection 2018.  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5991397/  (Full article)