December 21, 2011

expert reaction to MRC funding round for research into the underlying biology of CFS/ME

The Medical Research Council announced £1.5m of funding for research into the underlying biological causes of chronic fatigue syndrome.

Dr John Williams, Head of Neuroscience & Mental Health at the Wellcome Trust, said:

“Chronic fatigue syndrome/ME is a very serious condition, but we understand very little about its underlying causes. Today’s announcement is a very positive step forward towards establishing a rigorous research agenda in this challenging area.”

Dr Alastair Miller, Consultant Physician, Tropical & Infectious Disease Unit, Royal Liverpool University Hospital, and Principal Medical Adviser, Action for ME (AfME), said:

“The recent award of more than one and a half million pounds from the MRC to fund research into Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)/ME is excellent news for patients, clinicians and researchers. It is very gratifying that such high quality bids for funding were submitted from a number of leading research institutions and it is hoped that these projects will lead to early translation of scientific results into direct benefit for patients and carers. The wide range of topic areas being explored is also particularly encouraging.”