Journal of IiMER May 2025 Ola D. Saugstad, University of Oslo, Norway IIMEC17: A Review of Experiences of Treatment Protocols for Severely Affected People with ME Ola D. Saugstad is Professor Emeritus of Pediatrics at the University of Oslo and Research Professor at Oslo University Hospital. He is internationally recognised for his extensive research in neonatology, particularly in the fields of hypoxia, oxygen metabolism, and newborn resuscitation. Over his career, he has published more than 300 scientific articles and book chapters, and has received numerous awards for his contributions to paediatric medicine. In recent years, Professor Saugstad has contributed to research on ME, with a focus on the most severely affected patients. He has co-authored studies investigating genetic associations in ME/CFS, such as the 2022 publication examining the T cell receptor alpha (TRA) locus, which found no replication of previously reported genetic associations in ME/CFS. He has also published commentary on the need for improved recognition and care for young people with ME. At the Severely Affected Clinic in Oslo, Professor Saugstad has been involved in the development and review of treatment protocols for patients with severe ME. His work at this clinic informs his presentation at the Invest in ME Research Conference, where he will review experiences and outcomes related to treatment approaches for this patient group. His recent research and clinical activities reflect a commitment to advancing understanding and care for people with ME, in line with the objectives of Invest in ME Research. Olli Polo, Integrativ Clinic, Sweden IIMEC17: Dysautonomia in ME/CFS - The Role of Sleep Disturbance Olli Polo, MD, PhD, is a Finnish pulmonologist and sleep specialist with lo ngstanding expertise in ME/CFS, currently practising at the Integrativ Clinic in Stockholm, Sweden. He previously served as a professor of pulmonology at Tampere University and has been involved in clinical and research work focused on sleep disorders, autonomic dysfunction, and ME/CFS for over fifteen years. Dr Polo’s research and clinical interests centre on the interplay between the sympathetic nervous system, circadian rhythm disturbances, and tissue hypoxia in ME/CFS. He has published extensively on sleep disorders, including restless leg syndrome and sleep apnoea, and has contributed to the understanding of how sleep disturbance can exacerbate dysautonomia in ME/CFS. Dr Polo also explores the role of connective tissue abnormalities, such as Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, as potential contributors to the disease. His clinical approach includes both established and experimental therapies, such as low-dose naltrexone, supplemental oxygen, saline, vitamin B12, and dopamine agonists, while advising caution Invest in ME Research Page 37 of 43
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