Note: This study is currently only recruiting patients in the hospital.

If you are interested in being notified if this study begins recruiting from the general population, please use the 'I Am Interested' button below.

Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) patients needed for a PET/MRI study

Is the brain's immune response different in people with and without ME/CFS? To find out, we are looking for individuals diagnosed with ME/CFS between the age of 18-70 to participate in our paid PET/MRI study.

Massachusetts General Hospital Chronic Fatigue Syndrome MRI Scans
6 hours over 2 visits
Estimated Time Commitment
Gender-expansive, Intersex, Nonbinary, Transgender Male, Transgender Female, Female, Male, 18-70 years
May Be Eligible
Payment up to $250
May Be Offered
Survey, Personal health tracking, Blood draw, Injection or IV, MRI scan, PET scan
May Be Required
 
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This project is not recruiting.

Overview

What we are studying

Why do some people recover from viruses and others don't? What happens biologically that make viral illnesses turn into chronic illnesses in some people but not in others? To find out, we hope to compare brains of those with ME/CFS to brains of healthy controls. Specifically, we are looking for the presence or absence of neuroinflammation (an immune response in the brain) which we will measure using a PET/MRI scan. 



Our lab is trying to uncover the biological mechanisms behind post-viral chronic illnesses like ME/CFS and we need your help to do so! 


Why it is important


What we hope to accomplish

Principal Investigator

Micheal VanElzakker, PhD

Massachusetts General Hospital

Public Profile

Who can participate

Those with diagnosed ME/CFS are eligible to participate 

Who cannot participate

Pregnant or currently seeking to become pregnant



Cannot safety undergo an MRI or PET scan 

What you may be asked to do

The study timeline is broken down into four parts: it will involve filling out health history questionnaires, having blood and saliva samples taken, receiving an injection and an arterial catheter before the scan, and lying in a PET/MRI scanner while “pictures” of your brain are taken (both types of pictures being taken simeltnously for 90 minutes).


This will all take place in one in person visit (4.5 hours) and 1 virtual visit (1 hour).


Project activities may include:


Surveys


Sleep Tracking


Injection or IV
MRI scan
PET scan
Arterial Line (in wrist)


Project activities may include:

  • Survey
  • Personal health tracking
  • Blood draw
  • Injection or IV
  • MRI scan
  • PET scan

Estimated Time Commitment

6 hours over 2 visits

What You May Get

Participants will receive up to $250 for completion of the study (if an arterial line is placed) and $150 (if an arterial line is not placed).

Location

Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, MGH at Charlestown Navy Yard
149 Thirteenth St, Boston 02129

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Travel

  • Accessible by public transportation
  • Parking available
  • Parking reimbursed
  • Local travel reimbursed

Travel and Parking Details

A free shuttle is available every 15 minutes from MGH main campus or from North Station. If driving, participants will receive passes for free parking. Ride share reimbursment is available for rides within the Boston area. 

Additional Information

Participating Institutions


Funding Source

  • Department
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