UK MRC CFS/ME Research Advisory Group(RAG) funded PACE and FINE trials

In Professor Colin Blakemore's reply 24 October 2003 to an MP'S enquiry on behalf of a constituent he writes:

"(The constituent) has raised three main points in his letter to you. The first is that research should be done into the causes of CFS/ME before looking into treatments. Paragraph 133 of the research strategy explains the approach taken by the RAG:133. It is appropriate to explore potential interventions in the absence of knowledge of causation or pathogenesis. For example the cause(s) of diabetes is unknown, but knowledge of the underlying pathophysiology has meant that effective treatments have been developed and rigorously evaluated."

The AHMF Comments

A point well taken Professor Blakemore.

The first child to be treated with insulin in Australia died in old age some years ago. Her father obtained the insulin in America. Funding research into CBT and exercise would never have made her well. Quite the opposite in fact, just like those with ME.

Pathophysiological research was a priority for diabetes, why not for ME?

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