National Centre for Neuroimmunology and Emerging Diseases

The National Centre for Neuroimmunology and Emerging Disease (NCNED) is an Australian research group led by Professors Sonya Marshall-Gradisnik and Donald Staines. The NCNED is a part of Menzies Health Institute Queensland at Griffith University in south-east Queensland, Australia.

Members
In addition to co-directors Professors Marshall-Gradisnik and Staines, full members of the NCNED are:
 * Dr Leighton Barnden


 * Dr Hélène Cabanas
 * Dr Alfred Lam
 * Dr Donald Stewart

Potential biomarker
In February 2016 the research team led by Profs. Staines and Marshall-Gradisnik announced it had created a diagnostic test for the disease using CD8 T cells. The researchers have submitted patent claims in relation to their discovery.

Professor Marshall-Gradisnik clarified: "In response to a number of inquiries of this nature we are pleased to advise that we have both published papers, papers in press, and additional data not for publication, which constitutes commercial-in-confidence".

Notable studies

 * May 2016 - Novel identification and characterisation of Transient receptor potential melastatin 3 ion channels on Natural Killer cells and B lymphocytes: effects on cell signalling in Chronic fatigue syndrome/Myalgic encephalomyelitis patients, Biological Research, 2016 49:27. Changes in intracellular signalling.
 * Apr 2016 - ERK1/2, MEK1/2 and p38 downstream signalling molecules impaired in CD56dimCD16+ and CD56brightCD16dim/− natural killer cells in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis patients, Journal of Translational Medicine, 2016:14 97. Changes in intracellular signalling.
 * Jan 2016 - Genotype Frequencies of Transient Receptor Potential Melastatin M3 Ion Channels and Acetylcholine Muscarinic M3 Receptor Gene Polymorphisms in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis Patients, Immunology and Immunogenetics Insights, 2016:8 1-2. (small study - 115 people with ME/CFS)
 * Dec 2015 - A Preliminary Comparative Assessment of the Role of CD8+ T Cells in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis and Multiple Sclerosis, Hindawi
 * Dec 2015 - Pilot Study of Natural Killer Cells in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis and Multiple Sclerosis Scandinavian Journal of Immunology, Volume 83, Issue 1, pages 44–51
 * Sep 2015 - Serum Immune Proteins in Moderate and Severe Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis Patients, Int J Med Sci, 2015; 12(10): 764–772.
 * Aug 2015 - Longitudinal analysis of immune abnormalities in varying severities of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis patients, Journal of Translational Medicine, 201513:299
 * Conclusions: Severe CFS/ME patients differed from controls and moderate CFS/ME patients over time and expressed significant alterations in iNKT cell phenotypes, CD8+T cell markers, NK cell receptors and γδT cells at 6 months.
 * May 2015 - Characterisation of cell functions and receptors in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME), BMC Immunology, 2015 16:35
 * May 2015 - Examination of Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms in Acetylcholine Receptors in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Patients, Immunology and Immunogenetics Insights, 2015:7 7-20. (small study - 115 people with ME/CFS)
 * May 2015 - Examination of Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) in Transient Receptor Potential (TRP) Ion Channels in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Patients, Immunology and Immunogenetics Insights, 2015:7 1-6. (small study - 115 people with ME/CFS)
 * Apr 2014 - A comparison of health status in patients meeting alternative definitions for chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis, Health and Quality of Life Outcomes, 2014 12:64
 * Results: Patients fulfilling the ICC definition reported significantly lower scores (p < 0.05) for physical functioning, physical role, bodily pain, and social functioning than those that only fulfilled the 1994 CDC definition. ICC patients reported significantly greater (p < 0.05) disability across all domains of the WHO DAS 2.0.

Funding
The NCNED is supported by the Queensland Government and philanthropic donors. In 2016, Professors Marshall-Gradisnik and Staines and Dr Samantha Johnston were awarded $4 million (AUS) from the Stafford Fox Medical Research Foundation to accelerate the diagnosis of CFS and the discovery of appropriate treatments. The grant follows on a previous round of funding ($2.5 million) from the same foundation.

Online presence

 * Facebook
 * Twitter - Griffith Health
 * Website - Griffith Health
 * Website - NCNED
 * YouTube - CFS Myths 1, 2, and 3 via Stuart North's playlist of Griffith University's videos.


 * Institution
 * Twitter

Learn more

 * Feb 29, 2016, Australian scientists make breakthrough in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome testing, ABC News (Australia)
 * Mar 1, 2016, Screening test for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome on its way, Griffith University