A New Study explores links between ME/CFS & Long Covid

A groundbreaking research project funded by The ME Association is aiming to uncover the shared biological pathways between ME/CFS and Long COVID. Led by Imperial College London, the three-year initiative—called the Rosetta Stone study—will be the largest investigation of its kind.

The study will create a detailed immune profile of both conditions, analyzing samples from 250 ME/CFS patients and 250 Long COVID patients alongside healthy control groups. Researchers will examine blood, saliva, and stool samples, combined with detailed symptom data collected via the ELAROS smartphone app. Cutting-edge technologies and machine learning will help identify overlapping patterns and potential targets for treatment.

ME/CFS is a complex, post-infectious condition characterized by severe fatigue, cognitive difficulties, sleep disturbances, and a variety of other symptoms. Long COVID, which follows SARS-CoV-2 infection, shares many of these features, leaving millions of people worldwide struggling with daily life and work.

Professor Danny Altmann of Imperial College’s Department of Immunology and Inflammation emphasized the importance of the project: “ME/CFS and Long COVID are both post-infectious conditions with similar symptoms. By examining them side by side, we hope to highlight the common biological pathways and guide future therapeutic development.”

This study will also build on insights from other major research initiatives, including DecodeME and the NIHR WILCO Long COVID study. The goal is to provide a clearer understanding of the mechanisms behind these conditions and to inform the next generation of clinical trials and treatments.

Dr. Charles Shepherd, Medical Adviser at The ME Association, added: “Studying ME/CFS and Long COVID together makes sense given their clinical overlaps. This comprehensive research is a major step toward improving outcomes for the millions affected by these debilitating illnesses.”

Link to the Press Release for the new Study