ME Research UK is a

medical research Medical research (or biomedical research), also known as health research, refers to the process of using scientific methods with the aim to produce knowledge about human diseases, the prevention and treatment of illness, and the promotion of ...

charity based in the

United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Northwestern Europe, off the coast of European mainland, the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotlan ...

with the principal aim of commissioning and funding scientific (biomedical) investigation into the causes, consequences and treatment of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). ME/CFS is a debilitating illness which affects between 120,000 and 240,000 people in the United Kingdom alone, but which is not well understood nor, in many cases, properly recognised.

History

The organisation (charity number SC036942) was formed in 2000 under the name Myalgic Encephalomyelitis Research Group for Education and Support (MERGE), with an official opening in May 2001. Its headquarters are in

Perth, Scotland Perth (; ) is a centrally located Cities of Scotland, Scottish city, on the banks of the River Tay. It is the administrative centre of Perth and Kinross council area and is the historic county town of Perthshire. It had a population of about ...

. Ongoing research projects currently funded by ME Research UK include a Swedish study to provide an independent investigation into the link between xenotropic murine leukemia virus–related virus (XMRV) and ME/CFS, an investigation into autonomic dysfunction ( dysautonomia) in ME/CFS, research to identify key single-nucleotide polymorphisms associated with ME/CFS, and a study of the relationship between

vitamin D Vitamin D is a group of structurally related, fat-soluble compounds responsible for increasing intestinal absorption of calcium, magnesium, and phosphate, along with numerous other biological functions. In humans, the most important compo ...

status and cardiovascular function in ME/CFS. In addition to funding research into biomedical aspects of ME/CFS, the charity produces reviews and reports, organises and presents research at professional meetings and conferences, and was instrumental in forming a cross party group on the condition at the

Scottish Parliament The Scottish Parliament ( ; ) is the Devolution in the United Kingdom, devolved, unicameral legislature of Scotland. It is located in the Holyrood, Edinburgh, Holyrood area of Edinburgh, and is frequently referred to by the metonym 'Holyrood'. ...

. Most of its funds come from private and corporate donations, and the Friends of ME Research UK Friends scheme has been set up to support the charity and help with fundraising.

References

External links

* {{Chronic fatigue syndrome British medical research Health charities in the United Kingdom 2001 establishments in the United Kingdom Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome

History

See also

References

External links