ME/CFS Lines - Cohort and Biobank

In the ME/CFS Lines consortium, several national and international research partners develop biomedical research on ME/CFS. This consortium uses data and biomaterials collected since 2006 in the Lifelines population cohort, which includes over 167,000 participants.

Approach

The DePaul Symptom Questionnaire (DSQ-2) and diagnostic tests are used to identify ME/CFS patients within Lifelines. Biomaterials are used to map genetics, microbiome, antibody repertoire, proteome and metabolome in ME/CFS patients and matched controls.

The emphasis is on a multi-omics approach, for which biomaterials from before the onset of ME/CFS are also available. With these data, researchers within this consortium will search for new mechanisms that may explain the onset of ME/CFS, in order to achieve better diagnosis and treatment.

Timeline

DEC-2023 to JAN-2024
DSQ-2 to all adult participants

JAN-2024 to OCT-2024
Pre-selection of ME/CFS Lines cohort and preparation data collection

NOV-2024 to JUL-2025
Collection of diagnostic data and biomaterials

2025-2027
Analysis of biomaterials for mechanistic studies

Data and Biomaterials

Being integrated in Lifelines infrastructure, in the ME/CFS Lines cohort all the data collected by Lifelines are available, including repeated assessments of:

Cardiovascular function (ECG, blood pressure)
Cognitive functioning
Lung function (spirometry)
Anthropometry
Psychiatric interview
Biomaterials (blood, urine, feces)

In addition, specifically for ME/CFS patients and matched controls, ME/CFS Lines will collect:

Genetics
Microbiome
antibody repertoire (PhipSeq)
Proteome (OLink)
Metabolome

Lifelines catalogue

Funding opportunities

ZonMw has recently announced a new round of funding withing the ME/CFS program, for new biomedical research projects to join one of the existing consortia:

ME/CFS Lines
NMCB

More information on funding opportunities

Projects

Antibodies

The immune system, or defense system, protects our body against intruders such as viruses and bacteria. There is evidence that disrupted immune responses are involved in ME/CFS.

Post-Exertional Malaise (PEM)

People with ME/CFS experience a worsening of their symptoms after exertion, and this can last for a long time. This is called post exertional malaise (PEM).