We're off to England for the Invest in ME Research 18th International ME Conference

The Oxaloacetate CFS team is heading to England for the 18th International ME Conference 2026 hosted by Invest in ME Research, and after reviewing this year’s agenda, we’re more excited than ever about the direction ME/CFS research is heading.

A Strong Focus on Clinical Trials and Real-World Treatments

One of the major themes throughout the conference is the push toward structured clinical trials and evidence-based treatment pathways for ME/CFS and related post-viral illnesses.

Sessions like “A Platform for Clinical Trials in ME” led by Andrew Wilson highlight the growing international effort to build better infrastructure for testing potential therapies. This matters because for many patients, treatment options have historically been fragmented or anecdotal.

The conference starts with a few days just for the researchers and opens up for presentations to the public on the final day.  We’re excited to be in the mix and learn about all the newest treatments for ME/CFS.

Growing Interest in Mitochondrial Function and Energy Metabolism

At Oxaloacetate CFS, we’re especially interested in the increasing attention being paid to mitochondrial dysfunction and cellular energy production.

For years, patients have described symptoms that strongly suggest disruptions in energy production, recovery, and exertion tolerance. Now, researchers are increasingly investigating oxidative stress, mitochondrial signaling, and metabolic dysfunction as possible biological drivers behind these symptoms.

This growing scientific focus on metabolism and energy pathways is incredibly validating for the ME/CFS community and represents an important step toward more targeted therapies.

Wearables and the Future of ME Research

Another exciting trend throughout the conference is the integration of technology and objective measurement tools into ME/CFS research.

Presentations on wearable data and digital monitoring tools could help researchers better capture the day-to-day realities of ME/CFS symptoms and post-exertional malaise in real-world settings.

International Collaboration Is Driving Momentum

One of the most inspiring aspects of the conference agenda is how global the effort has become.

Researchers and clinicians from the United States, Canada, Denmark, Austria, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, and the UK are all contributing perspectives on ME/CFS mechanisms, clinical care, cardiovascular symptoms, and severe disease management.

Sessions focused on specialized care for severely ill ME patients and post-infectious disease clinics also reflect a growing recognition that ME/CFS requires comprehensive, multidisciplinary care approaches.

For too long, patients have felt dismissed or left without answers. Seeing this level of international collaboration and scientific seriousness gives us hope that the future of ME/CFS research is changing.