Understanding the pathogenesis of autonomic dysfunction in chronic fatigue syndrome and its relationship with cognitive impairment
Lead Research Organisation:
Newcastle University
Department Name: Institute for Ageing and Health
Abstract
Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) occurs in 0.2-0.4% of Europe's population, can affect all ages and currently its cause is unclear. Abnormality of the autonomic nervous system is recognised in over three quarters of those with CFS and is a plausible physiological mediator of the symptoms that are characteristic of CFS and fatigue in other chronic diseases. Autonomic nervous system dysfunction is characterised by symptoms of dizziness and lightheadedness when standing up, symptoms that we have shown to be present in nearly 90% of people with CFS, and the severity of which have been shown to predict the ability of CFS patients to function (more so than the severity of fatigue). Despite this, the mechanisms by which autonomic dysfunction arises in those with chronic fatigue syndrome are not understood and as a result treatments limited.
This study fills this gap by setting out to explore what leads to autonomic dysfunction in CFS using novel methodologies particularly whether it is upstream (related to abnormalities in centres in the brain that control the autonomic nervous system) or downstream (due to a peripheral volume or vascular problem) in origin. In non-CFS diseases autonomic dysfunction has also been shown to be associated with cognitive impairment. Over 80% of those with CFS describe problems with memory and concentration, so this study will also determine the relationship between autonomic dysfunction and these cognitive problems frequently found in those with CFS, and whether improving autonomic dysfunction in CFS leads to changes in cognitive function. Utilising the enormous resource created by this integrated study, the programme will look to develop diagnostic biomarkers using an innovative systems approach.
The programme has two complementary phases: 1) an exploratory study that utilises ground breaking dynamic MR modalities that will allow study of brain function in CFS and how this relates to autonomic and cognitive function. 2) a downstream study which combines a number of work packages to define the relative contribution of cardiac and vascular function in autonomic dysfunction. 3) an intervention phase which will examine the direction of relationship between autonomic and cognitive function in CFS in a 'proof of concept' study. 4) a systems medicine modelling approach utilising the unique dataset to explore the interrelationships between parameters and their potential for biomarker development.
Understanding the mechanisms that lead to autonomic dysfunction in those with CFS will be a paradigm shift. This programme will lay a foundation for research by the applicant and others that will enable a future set of diagnostic tools, system based explanations of dysfunction, a new generation of therapies and ultimately clinical protocols that will counter the biological processes that underpin fatigue in a range of diseases.
This proposal will use state of the art techniques such as dynamic brain FMRI to measures cerebral blood flow during the autonomic nervous system stressor of the valsalva manoeuvre (considered to be a test of cerebral autoregulation) to understand the mechanisms that lead to autonomic dysfunction and the associated cognitive impairment seen in the majority of those with CFS. This study will be performed in a cohort of CFS patients who have been fully characterised and who will be followed up to explore whether cognitive symptoms change when autonomic function is modulated.
This project will directly benefit patients through improving our understanding of how autonomic dysfunction arises in CFS and how it associates with cognitive function. This enhanced understanding will lead to the development of targetted appropriate treatments for clinical trials which will be aimed at reversing these abnormalities.
This study fills this gap by setting out to explore what leads to autonomic dysfunction in CFS using novel methodologies particularly whether it is upstream (related to abnormalities in centres in the brain that control the autonomic nervous system) or downstream (due to a peripheral volume or vascular problem) in origin. In non-CFS diseases autonomic dysfunction has also been shown to be associated with cognitive impairment. Over 80% of those with CFS describe problems with memory and concentration, so this study will also determine the relationship between autonomic dysfunction and these cognitive problems frequently found in those with CFS, and whether improving autonomic dysfunction in CFS leads to changes in cognitive function. Utilising the enormous resource created by this integrated study, the programme will look to develop diagnostic biomarkers using an innovative systems approach.
The programme has two complementary phases: 1) an exploratory study that utilises ground breaking dynamic MR modalities that will allow study of brain function in CFS and how this relates to autonomic and cognitive function. 2) a downstream study which combines a number of work packages to define the relative contribution of cardiac and vascular function in autonomic dysfunction. 3) an intervention phase which will examine the direction of relationship between autonomic and cognitive function in CFS in a 'proof of concept' study. 4) a systems medicine modelling approach utilising the unique dataset to explore the interrelationships between parameters and their potential for biomarker development.
Understanding the mechanisms that lead to autonomic dysfunction in those with CFS will be a paradigm shift. This programme will lay a foundation for research by the applicant and others that will enable a future set of diagnostic tools, system based explanations of dysfunction, a new generation of therapies and ultimately clinical protocols that will counter the biological processes that underpin fatigue in a range of diseases.
This proposal will use state of the art techniques such as dynamic brain FMRI to measures cerebral blood flow during the autonomic nervous system stressor of the valsalva manoeuvre (considered to be a test of cerebral autoregulation) to understand the mechanisms that lead to autonomic dysfunction and the associated cognitive impairment seen in the majority of those with CFS. This study will be performed in a cohort of CFS patients who have been fully characterised and who will be followed up to explore whether cognitive symptoms change when autonomic function is modulated.
This project will directly benefit patients through improving our understanding of how autonomic dysfunction arises in CFS and how it associates with cognitive function. This enhanced understanding will lead to the development of targetted appropriate treatments for clinical trials which will be aimed at reversing these abnormalities.
Technical Summary
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) is a debilitating disease that can affect all ages and profoundly influences a sufferer's ability to function. Despite its impact, the cause of CFS remains unknown and there are no effective treatments. One consistent theme in the CFS literature is of compromise of the autonomic nervous system which has led to the concept that abnormality of regulation of the autonomic nervous system (autonomic dysfunction (AD)) underpins the pathogenesis and/or clinical expression of CFS. AD has been associated with cognitive impairment and risk of cognitive decline in non-CFS groups. Defining the pathogenesis of AD and its relationship with cognitive impairment would be of immense value for both the study of the pathogenesis and treatment of CFS, and the clinical management of fatigued patients.
Hypothesis Autonomic dysfunction in CFS arises dues to combination of central ('upstream') and peripheral ('downstream') abnormalities in blood pressure regulation. This ledas to symptoms of brain hypoperfusion which is a cause of cognitive dysfunction. The aim of this study is to define the underlying physiological abnormalities that lead to autonomic dysfunction in CFS and its relationship with cognitive impairment. .
Methodology Pathogenesis of AD will be determined using novel state of the art MR technologies developed for this application in CFS patients with an autonomic phenotype (with newly diagnosed and established disease) compared to CFS without autonomic phenotype and sedentary controls. The relationship between AD and cognitive impairment will be explored in a proof of concept intervention study and data modelled using a systems approach.
Deliverables Having a comprehensive understanding of the pathogenesis of AD in CFS and its relationship with cognitive impairment will lead to targeted clinical trials that will improve autonomic symptoms, enhance functional ability and reduce cognitive impairment.
Hypothesis Autonomic dysfunction in CFS arises dues to combination of central ('upstream') and peripheral ('downstream') abnormalities in blood pressure regulation. This ledas to symptoms of brain hypoperfusion which is a cause of cognitive dysfunction. The aim of this study is to define the underlying physiological abnormalities that lead to autonomic dysfunction in CFS and its relationship with cognitive impairment. .
Methodology Pathogenesis of AD will be determined using novel state of the art MR technologies developed for this application in CFS patients with an autonomic phenotype (with newly diagnosed and established disease) compared to CFS without autonomic phenotype and sedentary controls. The relationship between AD and cognitive impairment will be explored in a proof of concept intervention study and data modelled using a systems approach.
Deliverables Having a comprehensive understanding of the pathogenesis of AD in CFS and its relationship with cognitive impairment will lead to targeted clinical trials that will improve autonomic symptoms, enhance functional ability and reduce cognitive impairment.
Planned Impact
The proposed project has significant potential for impact within the CFS patient population and amongst those who care for CFS patients, with a clear and transparent route to that impact being realised. The potential impacts of the project, and the routes to realisation are as follows.
1. DETERMINATION OF THE PATHOGENESIS OF AUTONOMIC DYSFUNCTION IN CFS PATIENTS TO WILL ALLOW APPLICATION OF TARGETED EFFECTIVE TREATMENTS IN CLINICAL TRIALS: Autonomic dysfunction and its associated symptoms are a frequent finding in over 80% of those with CFS. Understanding the physiological basis of autonomic dysfunction will allow us to develop appropriate treatments (which might already be available and established in the treatment of autonomic dysfunction - but applied for the first time to CFS). The availability of treatments to improve autonomic dysfunction have the greatest potential likelihood of benefit for improving functional ability in patients with CFS and therefore the greatest impact. Clinical trials of therapies will need to be further validated for broad clinical practice in a large scale HTA funded trial involving appropriate subject screening.
2.VALIDATION OF CLINICALLY IMPORTANT BIOMARKERS FOR CFS: One of the issues which has limited research in CFS to date is the lack of valid biomarkers for key processes other than perception of fatigue itself. This project will further validate our existing autonomic assessments and MR-based biomarkers for haemodynamic responses to dynamic stressors such as the valsalva and will, using a systems modelling approach, add additional data of intergrated responses to key functional abnormality and its response to modulation. Utilisation of these biomarkers in future large scale clinical trials such as an HTA trial of autonomic modulation by tilt training will validate their use in this setting.
3.EVALUATION OF THE CLINICAL CONSEQUENCES OF AUTONOMIC DYSFUNCTION IN CFS; MOST NOTABLY COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT: A key element of this proposal is expansion of our pilot work which has confirmed that cognitive symptoms are prevalent in CFS, associates with objectively assessed cognitive impairment and that these associate (as in other autonomic associated diseases) with actual brain abnormalities on MRI the severity of which associates in our pilot studies with autonomic symptoms. Recognition of the presence of objectively measured abnormalities in CFS that associate with markers that can successfully be modulated is a paradigm shift in our understanding of this disease. By performing our studies in CFS patients with early and established disease we will begin to explore the natural history of cognitive problems in CFS and the direction of the relationship which will be further 'teased' appart in a proof of concept intervention study. The value of autonomic modulation using non-invasive tilt training will be established in the context of this project through its ability to determine change in cognitive function. Further clarification of the effectiveness of specific autonomic interventions will be trialled in large scale applications to the HTA.
4. DEVELOPMENT OF A CRITICAL MASS OF RESEARCHERS WITH SPECIFIC EXPERTISE IN THEIR OWN AREA APPLIED TO UNDERSTANDING THE PATHOPHYSIOLOGY OF CFS
The proposed project will further enhance the reputation of Newcastle as a Fatigue Research Centre and encourage researchers to work in this important area.
This project will therefore have impact for patients immediately in terms of defining the pathogenesis of autonomic dysfunction, demonstration (we anticipate) of benefit in selected patients from tilt training, with the development of logical paradigms for subject identification in the future which will facilitate the application of specific interventions in practice. It will also have longer term impact in developing key underpinning technologies for the medium and long term development of novel drug and other intervention based approaches.
1. DETERMINATION OF THE PATHOGENESIS OF AUTONOMIC DYSFUNCTION IN CFS PATIENTS TO WILL ALLOW APPLICATION OF TARGETED EFFECTIVE TREATMENTS IN CLINICAL TRIALS: Autonomic dysfunction and its associated symptoms are a frequent finding in over 80% of those with CFS. Understanding the physiological basis of autonomic dysfunction will allow us to develop appropriate treatments (which might already be available and established in the treatment of autonomic dysfunction - but applied for the first time to CFS). The availability of treatments to improve autonomic dysfunction have the greatest potential likelihood of benefit for improving functional ability in patients with CFS and therefore the greatest impact. Clinical trials of therapies will need to be further validated for broad clinical practice in a large scale HTA funded trial involving appropriate subject screening.
2.VALIDATION OF CLINICALLY IMPORTANT BIOMARKERS FOR CFS: One of the issues which has limited research in CFS to date is the lack of valid biomarkers for key processes other than perception of fatigue itself. This project will further validate our existing autonomic assessments and MR-based biomarkers for haemodynamic responses to dynamic stressors such as the valsalva and will, using a systems modelling approach, add additional data of intergrated responses to key functional abnormality and its response to modulation. Utilisation of these biomarkers in future large scale clinical trials such as an HTA trial of autonomic modulation by tilt training will validate their use in this setting.
3.EVALUATION OF THE CLINICAL CONSEQUENCES OF AUTONOMIC DYSFUNCTION IN CFS; MOST NOTABLY COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT: A key element of this proposal is expansion of our pilot work which has confirmed that cognitive symptoms are prevalent in CFS, associates with objectively assessed cognitive impairment and that these associate (as in other autonomic associated diseases) with actual brain abnormalities on MRI the severity of which associates in our pilot studies with autonomic symptoms. Recognition of the presence of objectively measured abnormalities in CFS that associate with markers that can successfully be modulated is a paradigm shift in our understanding of this disease. By performing our studies in CFS patients with early and established disease we will begin to explore the natural history of cognitive problems in CFS and the direction of the relationship which will be further 'teased' appart in a proof of concept intervention study. The value of autonomic modulation using non-invasive tilt training will be established in the context of this project through its ability to determine change in cognitive function. Further clarification of the effectiveness of specific autonomic interventions will be trialled in large scale applications to the HTA.
4. DEVELOPMENT OF A CRITICAL MASS OF RESEARCHERS WITH SPECIFIC EXPERTISE IN THEIR OWN AREA APPLIED TO UNDERSTANDING THE PATHOPHYSIOLOGY OF CFS
The proposed project will further enhance the reputation of Newcastle as a Fatigue Research Centre and encourage researchers to work in this important area.
This project will therefore have impact for patients immediately in terms of defining the pathogenesis of autonomic dysfunction, demonstration (we anticipate) of benefit in selected patients from tilt training, with the development of logical paradigms for subject identification in the future which will facilitate the application of specific interventions in practice. It will also have longer term impact in developing key underpinning technologies for the medium and long term development of novel drug and other intervention based approaches.
Organisations
- Newcastle University (Collaboration, Lead Research Organisation)
- UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD (Collaboration)
- Altogether Better (Collaboration)
- UK CFS Research Collaborative (Collaboration)
- Griffith University (Collaboration)
- Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun (Collaboration)
- NORTHUMBRIA UNIVERSITY (Collaboration)
- UNIVERSITY OF LIVERPOOL (Collaboration)
- UNIVERSITY OF DUNDEE (Collaboration)
Publications
Bohr I
(2015)
Brain oxygenation responses to an autonomic challenge: a quantitative fMRI investigation of the Valsalva manoeuvre.
in Age (Dordrecht, Netherlands)
Clark JE
(2016)
The aetiopathogenesis of fatigue: unpredictable, complex and persistent.
in British medical bulletin
Clark JE
(2018)
Rethinking childhood adversity in chronic fatigue syndrome.
in Fatigue : biomedicine, health & behavior
Finkelmeyer A
(2018)
Intracranial compliance is associated with symptoms of orthostatic intolerance in chronic fatigue syndrome.
in PloS one
Finkelmeyer A
(2018)
Grey and white matter differences in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome - A voxel-based morphometry study.
in NeuroImage. Clinical
Hale M
(2012)
Fatigue in primary biliary cirrhosis.
in BMJ (Clinical research ed.)
Hester KL
(2012)
Fatigue in bronchiectasis.
in QJM : monthly journal of the Association of Physicians
Lynn M
(2018)
Reduction of Glucocorticoid Receptor Function in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.
in Mediators of inflammation
Maclachlan L
(2017)
Are current chronic fatigue syndrome criteria diagnosing different disease phenotypes?
in PloS one
Newton JL
(2018)
The efficacy of nonpharmacologic intervention for orthostatic hypotension associated with aging.
in Neurology
Newton JL
(2016)
Reduced cardiac volumes in chronic fatigue syndrome associate with plasma volume but not length of disease: a cohort study.
in Open heart
Newton JL
(2012)
Managing fatigue in the syncope unit.
in Europace : European pacing, arrhythmias, and cardiac electrophysiology : journal of the working groups on cardiac pacing, arrhythmias, and cardiac cellular electrophysiology of the European Society of Cardiology
Robinson L
(2015)
Autonomic function in chronic fatigue syndrome with and without painful temporomandibular disorder
in Fatigue: Biomedicine, Health & Behavior
Tomas C
(2017)
Cellular bioenergetics is impaired in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.
in PloS one
Tomas C
(2013)
A review of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis function in chronic fatigue syndrome.
in ISRN neuroscience
Vuong QC
(2020)
Brain Responses in CFS and TMD to Autonomic Challenges: An Exploratory fMRI Study.
in JDR clinical and translational research
Zalewski P
(2018)
Liver volume is lower and associates with resting and dynamic blood pressure variability in chronic fatigue syndrome
in Fatigue: Biomedicine, Health & Behavior
Description | Action for ME |
Amount | £11,000 (GBP) |
Funding ID | n/a |
Organisation | Action for M.E. |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 07/2012 |
End | 03/2014 |
Description | Action for ME |
Amount | £25,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | Action for M.E. |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 03/2013 |
End | 03/2016 |
Description | ME Association |
Amount | £18,000 (GBP) |
Funding ID | n/a |
Organisation | ME Association |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 03/2014 |
End | 12/2014 |
Description | ME Research UK |
Amount | £100,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | ME Research UK |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 12/2013 |
End | 12/2015 |
Description | NIHR RCF |
Amount | £16,000 (GBP) |
Funding ID | N/A |
Organisation | Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 09/2014 |
End | 09/2015 |
Title | Measuring liver volume via MR in response to the autonomic stressor of the valsalva |
Description | We have developed a novel MR methodology that allows us to measure liver volume in response to the autonomic stressor of the valsalva manoeuvre. Using this technique we have been exploring the role of the liver in blood pressure homeostasis in those with chronic fatigue syndrome. |
Type Of Material | Physiological assessment or outcome measure |
Year Produced | 2014 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | We have begun to explore the role of the liver in blood pressure control in CFS but this method has important applications in other fields that consider blood pressure physiology. |
Description | Altogether Better and NHS England |
Organisation | Altogether Better |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
PI Contribution | Altogether Better is funded by the Big Lottery and works with NHS England NE We have been working with them to develop Health Champions who are patients with CFS who will work with us in the clinic in order to enhance the experience of those who come to our clinic. |
Collaborator Contribution | They have facilitated the work shops and will train and lead the health champions |
Impact | Health champions identified and invited to a training session |
Start Year | 2014 |
Description | Anne McArdle - Liverpool |
Organisation | University of Liverpool |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Recent visits to discuss collaborative work around muscle function |
Collaborator Contribution | Initial discussions |
Impact | none yet |
Start Year | 2014 |
Description | Cross MRC cfs Collaboration |
Organisation | Newcastle University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Cross collaboration between the two MRC grants awarded to Newcastle from the CFS call has allowed us to maximise the impact from both grants. We have been working very much together in order to ensure that we do not miss opportunities by the greater of the whole. |
Collaborator Contribution | see above |
Impact | We have just been awarded funding from NIHR RCF to allow us to develop a data resource that maximises the opportunities for analysis across both grants. |
Start Year | 2013 |
Description | Faisel Khan - Dundee |
Organisation | University of Dundee |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Samples collected as part of the MRC funded cohort have been supplied to collaborators in Dundee |
Collaborator Contribution | Use of samples |
Impact | Faisel acquired an ME R UK grant to underpin the lab costs for the analysis of the samples |
Start Year | 2014 |
Description | Griffiths University Gold Coast |
Organisation | Griffith University |
Country | Australia |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Visited Griffiths University and obtained funding from URC to support a post doc exchange. Samples shared |
Collaborator Contribution | See above JN given status as adjunct professor |
Impact | Not currently |
Start Year | 2013 |
Description | Karl Morten Oxford |
Organisation | University of Oxford |
Department | Department of Chemistry |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Visited Oxford group and PhD student has been down to learn new techniques which she has now bought back to Newcastle |
Collaborator Contribution | See above |
Impact | None as yet |
Start Year | 2014 |
Description | Northumbria University |
Organisation | Northumbria University |
Department | Sleep Research Centre |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Working closely together and enhancing expertise |
Collaborator Contribution | Equal partnership playing to each others strengths |
Impact | Action for ME & ME association grants - currently working up an EME application |
Start Year | 2012 |
Description | Pawel Zalewski |
Organisation | Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun |
Country | Poland |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Development of autonomic testing algorhithms that ensure adequate data cleaning |
Collaborator Contribution | see above |
Impact | Pawel has set up a study in Poland that replicates work performed in Newcastle. We are writing this up currently. |
Start Year | 2012 |
Description | UK CFS Research Collaborative |
Organisation | UK CFS Research Collaborative |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Inaugural member of the new UK CFS Research Collaborative |
Collaborator Contribution | Executive member and our team participated in the launch event. |
Impact | On-going positive interaction with the scientific community and patient groups. Dissemination of research outputs and overall positive vibe. |
Start Year | 2013 |
Description | Action for ME AGM Nov 9th |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
Type Of Presentation | Keynote/Invited Speaker |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Review of Action for ME blog Approached by a number of other charities who are interested in meeting me |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
Description | Action for ME visit Nov 5th |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
Type Of Presentation | Paper Presentation |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Further funding promised CEO blog from Action for ME which was extremely positive about our work www.actionfor me.org |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
Description | Advisor to POTS UK |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Participants in your research and patient groups |
Results and Impact | I provide comment upon medical issues and have participated in the guideline development by DWP for PoTS see above |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
Description | Altogether better - NHS England |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | This is a recent opportunity that has arisen to work with the Altogether better team and NHS England. We have held 1 design group to date, identified health champions and are working towards a training session for health champions in December. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
Description | BACME 2013 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
Type Of Presentation | Keynote/Invited Speaker |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Health professionals |
Results and Impact | Talk to national meeting None yet |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
URL | http://www.bacme.org.uk |
Description | BOARD MEMBER IACFSME |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Other academic audiences (collaborators, peers etc.) |
Results and Impact | I am the only European representative on the Board of IACFS/ME - this organisation comments upon and informs international policy, it is a non-profit organisation based in the US. I am one of only 2 clinicians on the board. The newsletter to which I contribute is e-blasted to over 1000 members worldwide 4 times a year. see above |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
Description | ME North East conference |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Conference organised by the local patient support group ME North East to allow us to disseminate our research increased awareness of research going on in the NE |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
Description | Medical Advisor to ME Research UK |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Advising on issues in the press and defining research strategy Influencing policy and defining strategy |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2012 |
Description | Mini medical school Newcastle |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
Type Of Presentation | Keynote/Invited Speaker |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | >400 students registered for the event, great interaction - they particularly loved the patient we asked along to describe their experiences of CFS Great questions - changed the perception of students regarding CFS as a disease |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
URL | http://www.ncl.ac.uk/biomedicine/news/mms/ |
Description | Royal College of Psychiatry Brighton 2014 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | well received n/a |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
Description | SNG Meeting 2013 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
Type Of Presentation | Keynote/Invited Speaker |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | Invited lecture Contacted by researcher about establishing collaboration |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
Description | UK CFSME Research Collaborative |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Other academic audiences (collaborators, peers etc.) |
Results and Impact | Changed perception of CFS Annual conference |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2012 |
Description | liverpool university |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Other academic audiences (collaborators, peers etc.) |
Results and Impact | Potential collaboration see above |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
Description | telegraph article |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Front page article in Telegraph with coverage in Daily Mail regarding paper published in BMJ OPEN Increased awareness |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |