Third international ME/CFS conference in Berlin
The third international ME/CFS conference, organised by the Charité Fatigue Centre and the ME/CFS Research Foundation, was held in Berlin on 12 and 13 May 2025. Around 200 doctors, researchers and other experts from the fields of medicine and biology came together at this conference. The objective was to present and discuss new scientific findings on ME/CFS. Over 4,000 people followed the live stream of the event.
Viral infections are a known cause of myalgic encephalitis or chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). Following an infection with the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, some of those affected develop ME/CFS. This disease is typically accompanied by severe exhaustion and other symptoms that can significantly restrict everyday life and in some cases lead to the need for long-term care.
The conference included, for instance, presentations on new studies concerning possible causes of the disease. In this context, study findings on changes in the "power houses" of the cells (mitochondria), on malfunctions of the immune system and on autoimmunity were discussed. In the case of autoimmunity, the immune system mistakenly produces antibodies against healthy cells. Normally, antibodies recognise foreign substances such as pathogens and neutralise these.
In addition, various experimental treatment approaches were presented. Two of these treatment approaches, which specifically intervene in the body's immune system, are referred to as immune adsorption and B-cell depletion. Further studies are needed to demonstrate the potential benefit of these methods.
The international conference was followed up by the ME/CFS Research Symposium. This part was aimed specifically at informing those affected and the general public about the current research situation in Germany.
The events provided an important setting for national and international scientific exchange between medical professionals, researchers, other experts, those affected and the interested public.
All presentations from the conference and symposium are available in full on the ME/CFS Research Foundation website.