Glucocorticoid

Glucocorticoid is a corticosteroid, often simply referred to as a steroid.

ME/CFS

Studies published in 2017 and 2018 by de Vega et al. found dysregulated glucocorticoid receptor function in people with ME/CFS. While glucocorticoids are anti-inflammatory in the periphery, they can be inflammatory to the central nervous system; these findings suggest this effect may be amplified in people with ME/CFS due to increased sensitivity to glucocorticoids.

Studies

• 2000, Decreased bone mineral density during low dose glucocorticoid administration in a randomized, placebo controlled trial. (Abstract)
• 2017, Epigenetic modifications and glucocorticoid sensitivity in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) (Full text)

myalgic encephalomyelitis (M.E.) - A disease often marked by neurological symptoms, but fatigue is sometimes a symptom as well. Some diagnostic criteria distinguish it from chronic fatigue syndrome, while other diagnostic criteria consider it to be a synonym for chronic fatigue syndrome. A defining characteristic of ME is post-exertional malaise (PEM), or post-exertional neuroimmune exhaustion (PENE), which is a notable exacerbation of symptoms brought on by small exertions. PEM can last for days or weeks. Symptoms can include cognitive impairments, muscle pain (myalgia), trouble remaining upright (orthostatic intolerance), sleep abnormalities, and gastro-intestinal impairments, among others. An estimated 25% of those suffering from ME are housebound or bedbound. The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies ME as a neurological disease.