Professor Julia Newton, Newcastle University, has been invited to present the results of her latest research to MSPs at the Cross Party Group on M.E., in Committee Room 1, Scottish Parliament, 1pm - 2.15pm, Wednesday 21 January.
M.E. is a chronic, fluctuating illness which affects 25,000 people in Scotland and 250,000 across the UK. Common symptoms include muscle pain, persistent exhaustion, un-refreshing sleep, memory, concentration and digestive problems. M.E. can affect anyone, at any age and from any ethnic group. The cause, or causes, of the illness are still not fully understood.
Professor Newton's work focuses on the autonomic nervous system and its dysfunction in those with fatigue. She says:
"Fatigue is a distressing symptom that can affect people with a range of chronic diseases or occur in those with M.E./CFS. Over 200 publications in the medical literature have suggested that those with fatigue have problems with their vascular system. Our research is exploring the biological basis of fatigue in ME/CFS and we have shown that those with fatigue have problems with blood pressure regulation. This has important consequences for muscle, cardiac and brain function in those with fatigue."
Andy Kerr MSP, who convenes the Cross Party Group, says:
"Professor Newton has shown that 89% of people with M.E. experience symptoms on standing, such as dizziness, altered vision, nausea and fatigue and that they have lower blood pressure than other people. This is relevant to every healthcare professional and patient with M.E. because established treatments may have the potential to improve some of these symptoms."
Hazel Dawson of Action for M.E. is Secretary to the Cross Party Group. Hazel says:
"This is the kind of research we need to see much more of, so that better tests and treatments can be developed."
