We Attended the Invest in ME Research 18th International ME Conference

Last week, the Oxaloacetate CFS team traveled to England to attend the 18th International ME Conference, organized by Invest in ME Research at the Wellcome Genome Campus. The conference brought together researchers, clinicians, patient advocates, and members of the ME/CFS community from around the world to share the latest developments in research and clinical care.

What makes International ME Conference unique is its connection to the Biomedical Research into ME Colloquium (BRMEC), a meeting where researchers collaborate and discuss emerging findings. The public conference provides an opportunity to share those insights with patients, caregivers, and advocates, helping bridge the gap between the scientific community and those living with ME/CFS.

As a company focused on energy metabolism, we were particularly interested in the growing attention being paid to mitochondrial function and cellular energy production. Multiple presentations explored metabolic dysfunction, oxidative stress, and biological mechanisms that may contribute to the profound fatigue and post-exertional malaise experienced by people with ME/CFS.

Another area generating excitement was the use of wearable technology and digital monitoring tools. Researchers are increasingly using objective measurements to better understand symptom patterns, activity levels, and post-exertional malaise in real-world settings. These tools may help improve both research and patient care by providing data that more accurately reflects daily life with ME/CFS.

The conference also highlighted the growing overlap between ME/CFS and Long Covid research. Given the similarities in symptoms and post-viral disease mechanisms, many researchers see opportunities for discoveries in one field to inform progress in the other.

Perhaps the most encouraging aspect of the conference was the level of international collaboration. Researchers and clinicians from across Europe, North America, and beyond shared findings and perspectives, reinforcing the sense that the global ME/CFS research community is working together with increasing urgency and purpose.

Our biggest takeaway from theInternational ME Conference was a sense of momentum. While much work remains to be done, the quality of the research, the collaboration among scientists, and the commitment to improving patient outcomes left us hopeful about the future of ME/CFS research.

We are grateful to Invest in ME Research for hosting another outstanding conference and look forward to following the important work that continues to emerge from this growing international effort.