The TRPM3 Study

There has been a lot of excitement in the CFS/ME community regarding a recent Australian study that concluded that those with CFS/ME have a faulty cell receptor called TRPM3. The role of TRPM3 is to transfer calcium from outside the cell to the inside, and when this function is altered, then cell function is impaired. The TRPM3 receptors are found in every cell in the body, causing dysfunction in several different organs and systems in the body, which explains why there are so many varied symptoms, and different manifestations of symptoms in different patients. But the most important finding  is that is that TRPM3 receptors  are upregulated when the body is under any kind of threat (i.e. infection, trauma ). The study cites that it is the upregulation that causes the faulty genetic receptors to take over and inhibit the calcium transfer to a wide range of cells.

This is good news for people who are looking for a definitive diagnostic marker for CFS. There we have it, validation for illness, and this seems to be important for many in the CFS community.

But this is also good news for those of us who believe that CFS/ME is a stress related disorder. If we can tame the stress response, then we can repair faulty TRPM3 receptors, and our cells can resume
their normal functioning.

Like so many recent CFS/ME studies, this offers hope for people who want a definitive diagnosis, but rather than finding the cause of CFS/ME, this is simply another illustration of the effects of CFS/ME.


http://www.meassociation.org.uk/2017/02/the-science-behind-queensland-governments-cfs-breakthrough-statement-science-alert-22-february-2017/