Journal of IiMER May 2025 with psychiatric medications and certain sleep aids. Dr Polo is known for his patient-centred care and for advocating for improved recognition and treatment of ME/CFS in both clinical and public spheres. At IIMEC17 Dr Polo will draw on his clinical and research experience to discuss how sleep disruption may contribute to autonomic dysfunction in people with ME/CFS. Andrew Wilson, UEA, UK IIMEC17: Clinicians Panel Discussion - Translating Research into Diagnostics and Treatments This panel session will bring together clinicians and clinician-researchers to discuss current issues in the clinical management of ME. The discussion will focus on the challenges of diagnosis, the development and implementation of diagnostic tools, and the translation of research findings into practical treatment approaches. Panel members will share their experiences from clinical practice and research, consider barriers to effective diagnosis and care, and explore how new scientific developments can be integrated into routine clinical work. The session will be moderated by Andrew Wilson of the University of East Anglia, a clinical researcher with expertise in designing and conducting clinical trials and investigations into new treatments and biomarkers in respiratory and related diseases. The panel discussion includes clinicians involved in the colloquium and conference presentations. Eva Untersmayr-Elsenhuber, Medical University of Vienna, Austria IIMEC17 - Austria: Concerted research efforts for ME/CFS Eva Untersmayr-Elsenhuber is Professor at the Centre for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology at the Medical University of Vienna, where she leads several major research initiatives focused on ME/CFS. Her work is central to Austria’s growing national response to ME/CFS, bringing together multidisciplinary teams and patient organisations to address critical gaps in diagnosis, care, and research. Part of the EMERG group, Professor Untersmayr-Elsenhuber coordinates the “Care for ME/CFS” project, which has produced Austria’s first practical guideline for ME/CFS, based on scientific evidence and patient experience. This guideline aims to improve long-term care by accounting for disease-specific limitations and is freely accessible to clinicians and the public. Her team’s approach actively involves patients in the research process, ensuring that lived experience informs both clinical recommendations and future research priorities. Her recent studies have identified immune system alterations and possible biomarkers in ME/CFS, including differences in immune competence and intestinal barrier function among patient subgroups. These findings suggest that tailored diagnostic and therapeutic strategies may be needed for different groups of ME/CFS patients. Professor Untersmayr-Elsenhuber’s research also addresses the needs of severely and very severely affected individuals, using qualitative methods to understand their care requirements and inform the development of high-level home care and telemonitoring solutions. Invest in ME Research Page 38 of 43
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