Peter Behan

Professor Peter O. Behan, retired consultant neurologist, was one of the few ME specialists working in UK in 1980s. He wrote the introduction to Dr Melvin Ramsay's 1986 Postviral Fatigue Syndrome: The Saga of Royal Free Disease. He is a patron to the ME Association.

He appeared in part two (at 35 mins) of 2012 BBC Alba documentary Toxic Tiredness. He describes mitochondrial abnormalities and speaks of an "essential biochemical or molecular component to the illness which needs to be elucidated, and research should be along the grounds into these illnesses, rather than dealing with psychological talk-the-talk nonsense."

Notable Studies

• 1997, Parvovirus B19 and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
• 1997, Possible Cell Membrane Transport Defect in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?
• 1997, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Disorder of Central Cholinergic Transmission
• 1996, Enterovirus Replication and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome by J. W. Gow, W. M. H. Behan, P. Cash, K. Simpson, D. Kay, M. M. McGill, and P.O. Behan
• 1996, Defective Dexamethasone Induced Growth Hormone Release in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Evidence for Cerebral Glucocorticoid Receptor Resistance by T. Majeed, T. G. Dinan, and P.O. Behan
• 1996, Viruses and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Learn more

• Royal Free Hospital outbreak
• Melvin Ramsay

See also

• Documentary Toxic Tiredness, Part 1
• Documentary Toxic Tiredness, Part 2
• Prof Behan: electron microscopy shows abnormal mitochondria in ME

mitochondria Important parts of the biological cell, with each mitochondrion encased within a mitochondrial membrane. Mitochondria are best known for their role in energy production, earning them the nickname "the powerhouse of the cell". Mitochondria also participate in the detection of threats and the response to these threats. One of the responses to threats orchestrated by mitochondria is apoptosis, a cell suicide program used by cells when the threat can not be eliminated.

membrane The word "membrane" can have different meanings in different fields of biology. In cell biology, a membrane is a layer of molecules that surround its contents. Examples of cell-biology membranes include the "cell membrane" that surrounds a cell, the "mitochondrial membranes" that form the outer layers of mitochondria, and the "viral envelope" that surrounds enveloped viruses. In anatomy or tissue biology, a membrane is a barrier formed by a layer of cells. Examples of anatomical membranes include the pleural membranes that surrounds the lungs, the pericardium which surrounds the heart, and some of the layers within the blood-brain barrier.

cholinergic Involving the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. Cholinergic side effects include diarrhea, blurred vision, decreased intraocular pressure, contricted pupil in the eyes, sweating, increased saliva and mucus on the lungs, bronchial constriction, increased gastrointestinal tone, decreased blood pressure, slow heart rate, and contraction of bladder detrusor muscle. muscle spasms/cramps, low blood pressure, slowed heart rate, nausea and vomiting, increased saliva and sweating, shortness of breath, and urinating more often.

enterovirus A genus of RNA viruses which typically enter the body through the respiratory or gastrointestinal systems and sometimes spread to the central nervous system or other parts of the body, causing neurological, cardiac, and other damage. Since the first reports of myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), enteroviruses have been suspected as a cause of ME. Enteroviruses have also been implicated as the cause of Type I diabetes, congestive heart failure, and other conditions. Enteroviruses include poliovirus, coxsackieviruses, and many others. New enteroviruses and new strains of existing enteroviruses are continuously being discovered. (Learn more: viralzone.expasy.org)

cerebral 1. of or relating to the brain or the intellect 2. of, relating to, affecting, or being the cerebrum.