Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Physiology (Bethesda). 2025 Jul 1;40(4):0. doi: 10.1152/physiol.00056.2024. Epub 2025 Feb 17.

Abstract

Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a debilitating multisystem disorder of unclear etiology that affects many individuals worldwide. One of its hallmark symptoms is prolonged fatigue following exertion, a feature also observed in long COVID, suggesting an underlying dysfunction in energy production in both conditions. Here, mitochondrial dysfunction and its potential pathogenetic role in these disorders are reviewed.

Keywords: ER stress; ME/CFS; WASF3; long COVID; mitochondria.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • COVID-19 / metabolism
  • Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic* / metabolism
  • Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic* / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Mitochondria* / metabolism
  • Mitochondria* / pathology