Maria Vera

Maria Vera, MD, (aka Maria Vera Nunez) is an Internist and researcher at the Institute for Neuro Immune Medicine (INIM), as well as, an Associate Professor at the College of Osteopathic Medicine at Nova Southeastern University, in Miami and Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Her bio on the INIM webpage states that: "Her research interest is focused in the development of tools and application of medical informatics to improve the education and care of patients with CFS/ME. She is also working on the potential role of immunomodulators and understanding the pathophysiologic pathways for CFS/ME, to recognize other therapeutic targets and management options for this condition."

Notable Studies

• 2016, Poor sleep quality is associated with greater circulating pro-inflammatory cytokines and severity and frequency of chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) symptoms in women

  "ABSTRACT: Objective - Poor sleep quality has been linked to inflammatory processes and worse disease outcomes in the context of many chronic illnesses, but less is known in conditions such as chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME). This study examines the relationships between sleep quality, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and CFS/ME symptoms. Methods - Sixty women diagnosed with CFS/ME were assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Fatigue Symptom Inventory (FSI) and Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)-based CFS/ME symptom questionnaires. Circulating plasma pro-inflammatory cytokine levels were measured by ELISA. Multiple regression analyses examined associations between sleep, cytokines and symptoms, controlling for age, education, and body mass index. Results - Poor sleep quality (PSQI global score) was associated with greater pro-inflammatory cytokine levels: interleukin-1β (IL-1β) (β = 0.258, p = 0.043), IL-6 (β = 0.281, p = 0.033), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) (β = 0.263, p = 0.044). Worse sleep quality related to greater fatigue severity (β = 0.395, p = 0.003) and fatigue-related interference with daily activities (β = 0.464, p < 0.001), and more severe and frequent CDC-defined core CFS/ME symptoms (β = 0.499, p < 0.001, and β = 0.556, p < 0.001, respectively). Conclusions - Results underscore the importance of managing sleep-related difficulties in this patient population. Further research is needed to identify the etiology of sleep disruptions in CFS/ME and mechanistic factors linking sleep quality to symptom severity and inflammatory processes."

• Vitamin D and IL 10 in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Vera MA, Rey I, Garcia L, Fletcher MA, Klimas NG. 10th International IACFS/ME Conference. Ontario, Canada.
• Abnormal Cytokine Levels in Patients with CFS Regardless of Metabolic Syndrome. Vera MA, Garcia L, Valencia WM, Barnes Z, Fletcher MA, Klimas NG. 10th International IACFS/ME Conference. Ontario, Canada.
• 2010, Mysterious Paralysis: A Case of Thyrotoxic Periodic Paralysis. Vera MA. FL Chapter ACP Annual Meeting 2010.
• Immune and Viral Response to Isoprinosine in Women with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Vera MA. Women's Health Research Day. Institute for Women's Health, University of Miami, Florida.
• Sleep Patterns in CFS Patients and the Immunoimodulatory Effects of Xyrem in Patients with Alpha Intrusion. Hone N, Garcia L, Vera MA, Chediak N, Klimas NG. 9th International IACFS/ME Conference. Reno, Nevada.
• Immune and Viral Response to Isoprinosine in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Vera MA, Fletcher MA, Cuba C, Garcia L, Klimas NG. 9th International IACFS/ME Conference. Reno, Nevada.

See also

• Nancy Klimas
• Mary Ann Fletcher
• Institute for Neuro Immune Medicine

immunomodulator An immunomodulator is a substance that affects the functioning of the immune system

chronic illness any long-term illness, regardless of the severity. Chronic illnesses are typically incurable, requiring long-term management.

cytokine any class of immunoregulatory proteins secreted by cells, especially immune cells. Cytokines are small proteins important in cell signaling that modulate the immune system. (Learn more: me-pedia.org)

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is a U.S. government agency dedicated to epidemiology and public health. It operates under the auspices of the Department of Health and Human Services.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is a U.S. government agency dedicated to epidemiology and public health. It operates under the auspices of the Department of Health and Human Services.

cytokine any class of immunoregulatory proteins secreted by cells, especially immune cells. Cytokines are small proteins important in cell signaling that modulate the immune system. (Learn more: me-pedia.org)

β β / Β. Greek letter beta (a symbol used in science), equivalent to "b".

α α / Α. Greek letter alpha or alfa (a symbol used in science), equivalent to "a".

etiology The cause of origin, especially of a disease.

cytokine any class of immunoregulatory proteins secreted by cells, especially immune cells. Cytokines are small proteins important in cell signaling that modulate the immune system. (Learn more: me-pedia.org)