ME/CFS (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) is a physical disease. It is not a product of the patients’ imagination and is not a psychological problem. Funds have been used for research into the hypothetical psychiatric nature of the disease at the expense of biomedical research. Future research needs to be interdisciplinary and focused on the causes, early diagnosis and treatment of ME/CFS.

The British National Health Service has published NICE guidelines for this disorder which, according to ESME, are not helpful and might even induce relapse in some cases.

ESME will encourage research leading to the accumulation of new knowledge and to a better understanding of the disease, and will endeavour to raise funding for biomedical research in, and education about, ME/CFS.

Stavanger, Norway, June 13, 2009

Launch Meeting ESME

PD Dr. Liv Bode

Prof. Dr. Med. Kenny De Meirleir

Dr. Med. Derek Enlander

Dr. Med. Ana Garcia Quintana      

Prof. Dr. Hanns Ludwig

Prof. Dr. Med. Mária J. Molnár

Prof. Dr. Bodil Norrild    

Prof. Dr. Med. Ola Didrik Saugstad

Prof. Dr. Med. Babill Stray-Pedersen

Prof. Dr. Med. Umberto Tirelli