Presenting Our Clinical Research Poster at the International ME/CFS Conference in Berlin
At the start of May, the Oxaloacetate CFS team traveled to Berlin for the International ME/CFS Conference, where we had the opportunity to present our latest research poster in the conference’s “Clinical Studies” poster group.
Our poster, titled “Relationships between fatigue, cognitive function and upright activity in a randomized trial of Oxaloacetate for myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome,” explored how fatigue, cognition, and physical activity may interact in people living with ME/CFS and how these symptoms may respond to metabolic interventions.
Why This Research Matters
ME/CFS is a debilitating and complex condition characterized by profound fatigue, cognitive dysfunction, reduced physical capacity, and post-exertional malaise. Despite affecting millions of people worldwide, the biological mechanisms driving these symptoms are still not fully understood.
One area receiving increasing scientific attention is cellular energy metabolism and mitochondrial function.
Oxaloacetate (OAA) is a naturally occurring metabolic compound involved in cellular energy production pathways. Emerging research suggests it may have mitochondrial and neuroprotective effects, making it an area of interest for fatigue-related conditions like ME/CFS.
While previous studies have explored fatigue reduction, less is known about how fatigue, cognitive performance, and physical activity influence one another over time in ME/CFS patients and whether improvements in one area may relate to changes in another.
That’s what this study aimed to investigate.
About the Study
This 90-day randomized, double-blind, controlled trial evaluated 82 adults living with ME/CFS.
Participants received either:
- 2,000 mg/day of Oxaloacetate (OAA), or
- A control consisting of 2,000 mg/day of rice flour
Researchers assessed participants across several dimensions throughout the study, including:
- Self-reported fatigue
- Cognitive function
- Upright activity time (“UP Time”)
Fatigue was measured using the Chalder Fatigue Questionnaire, while cognitive function was evaluated using DANA Brain Vital testing.
The study also examined responder status at the end of the trial, looking at whether participants experienced meaningful reductions in fatigue and/or measurable improvements in cognition.
Take a look at our Poster
Looking Ahead
Presenting this work in Berlin was an important milestone for our team and part of a much larger movement happening within ME/CFS research worldwide.
Across the conference, researchers discussed metabolism, neuroinflammation, immune dysfunction, oxidative stress, Long COVID overlap, and emerging clinical trials, all pointing toward a future where ME/CFS is increasingly being studied as a serious biological illness deserving rigorous scientific investigation.
We’re grateful to everyone who stopped by our poster, asked questions, and contributed to these important conversations.