CFS CFS Pathophysiology and Research 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which body system is believed to play a central role in CFS pathophysiology according to current research?
- Skeletal system
- Immune system dysregulation (Correct answer)
- Endocrine system exclusively
- Reproductive system
Correct answer: Immune system dysregulation
Current research strongly implicates immune system dysregulation, including abnormal cytokine profiles and immune activation, in the pathophysiology of CFS.
Question 2: What is the 'two-hit hypothesis' sometimes proposed for CFS?
- Two different viruses must infect simultaneously
- An initial trigger (e.g., infection) combined with a second factor perpetuates the illness (Correct answer)
- Two organ systems must be affected for diagnosis
- Two years of symptoms are required before the condition becomes permanent
Correct answer: An initial trigger (e.g., infection) combined with a second factor perpetuates the illness
The two-hit hypothesis suggests CFS may result from an initial trigger like an infection combined with a secondary factor that prevents normal recovery.
Question 3: What does research suggest about mitochondrial function in CFS patients?
- Mitochondria are overactive in CFS
- Evidence suggests impaired mitochondrial energy production in some CFS patients (Correct answer)
- Mitochondrial DNA is mutated in all CFS cases
- Mitochondria are unaffected in CFS
Correct answer: Evidence suggests impaired mitochondrial energy production in some CFS patients
Some CFS research has found evidence of impaired mitochondrial function, potentially contributing to the profound energy deficits experienced by patients.
Question 4: Which biomarker abnormality has been reported in some CFS research studies?
- Elevated red blood cell count
- Reduced natural killer (NK) cell cytotoxic activity (Correct answer)
- Elevated white blood cell count
- Reduced platelet count
Correct answer: Reduced natural killer (NK) cell cytotoxic activity
Reduced natural killer cell cytotoxic activity has been one of the more consistently reported immune abnormalities in CFS research literature.
Question 5: What does the term 'neuroimmune' mean in the context of CFS?
- A condition affecting only nerves
- Involving both the nervous system and the immune system (Correct answer)
- A type of brain tumor
- A purely psychological condition
Correct answer: Involving both the nervous system and the immune system
'Neuroimmune' describes conditions involving interactions between the nervous system and immune system, which is why CFS is sometimes classified as a neuroimmune disease.
Question 6: Which finding in the autonomic nervous system has been documented in CFS research?
- Hyperactive parasympathetic nervous system
- Autonomic dysfunction including reduced heart rate variability (Correct answer)
- Elevated sympathetic baseline exclusively
- No autonomic abnormalities found
Correct answer: Autonomic dysfunction including reduced heart rate variability
Autonomic dysfunction, including reduced heart rate variability and abnormal responses to postural changes, has been documented in CFS patients.
CFS CFS Pathophysiology and Research 1
Which body system is believed to play a central role in CFS pathophysiology according to current research?