A pioneering researcher has solving ME/CFS on his bucket list.
This is a summary by Robin Sansom of a longer article long article by Cort Johnson: http://simmaronresearch.com/2015/12/ian-lipkin-three-to-five-years-to-solve-chronic-fatigue-syndrome-mecfs/
Ian Lipkin is a renowned pioneer in pathogen detection and believes it’s possible to solve ME/CFS in three to five years (provided the resources are made available.) Whilst this may sound like an unbelievable and unrealistic time frame, and I’m cautiously optimistic about this research, I’m encouraged that such a prominent researcher (see below) with a long-running interest in ME/CFS has solving its mysteries on his bucket list. Here are some key points about Ian Lipkin and his work:
- Lipkin has had an interest in ME/CFS since the 80s.
- Heoversees the work of 65 researchers in the U.S. and 150 more across the globe. The New York Times reported that on any given day his lab had 140 viral research projects underway. The head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, Anthony Fauci said, “Lipkin really stands out from the crowd.”
- Lipkin’s chief collaborator is Mady Hornig whose immunological research findings have been reported on a lot recently.
- He estimated 320,000 viruses are still unknown.
- He talks about how quickly viruses can jump from animals into humans.
- He believes it is still possible that an undetected pathogen is responsible for ME/CFS and this could be an long-term infection rather than just a an initial viral illness.
Findings of Lipkin’s ME/CFS research so far:
- The suspected pathogens don’t appear to be the problem (the CII is reportedly looking further at herpesviruses.)
- Evidence suggests altered microbiomes (gut flora) are present
- Striking differences in immune expression between shorter and longer duration patients suggest profound immune changes have occurred
- Preliminary evidence suggests that levels “X” and “Y” metabolites and, at least, one immune protein are significantly altered in ME/CFS. (Lipkin embargoed this information pending publication of the paper. One of them is a shocker.)
“Lipkin emphasized, though, that ME/CFS is not a one-size fits all disease. For instance, it’s possible that fungi may be a problem for some patients. That’s an intriguing idea given the recent fungi funding in Alzheimer’s disease published in Nature.”
Lipkin is supportive of Simmaron Research Institute’s spinal fluid studies. “The results of the first one – the most extensive spinal fluid study ever done in ME/CFS – were eye-opening. Using Dr. Peterson’s suggestion to separate atypical from typical ME/CFS patients, and focusing on patients with a longer duration illness, they’d found evidence of an immune dysregulation almost equal to that found in MS. The difference was that instead of being raised, the cytokine levels were reduced in ME/CFS.”
“That finding surely left a big smile on Lipkin’s and Hornig’s faces. Earlier they’d found evidence of a profound reduction in immune functioning in the blood of later-duration ME/CFS patients. Now a similar reduction was showing up in their spinal fluid. These unprecedented findings suggested they were uncovering system-wide problems.”