This study is great to see, especially as already commented on in relation to the previous Japanese 'ME' research and equally fascinating to me as it was previously found that BDNF(Brain-derived neurotrophic factor) was found to be abnormal in CFS patients (alongside MS) by American researchers.
Source (Sorenson et al, 2014):
http://omicsonline.org/neurology-neurophysiology-abstract.php?abstract_id=25722
Perhaps the participants in this study with these abnormal DTI brain scans at Stanford (Dr Montoya's team) could have their BDNF tested too? (Dr Leonard Jason was involved in the CFS vs MS BDNF paper linked above).
I say that as this brain imaging study found a possible marker for neurodegeneration, and BDNF is also a marker for neurodegeneration. I wonder if this is all PrPC related, as in absence of enough PrPC?
One hypothesis could be the ME CFS brain is lacking PcPC, and is atrophying due to accelerated oxidative injury to tissue. Some evidence for this exists in repeated studies, at least in the blood due to the high levels of oxidative stress found. Uncontrolled this is hazardous to ME CFS patients, as this can lead to endothelial damage, the endothelium being the lining of blood vessels. We don't want this as plaques can form (oxidised fat or calcium) leading to possible heart attacks or strokes.
Focussing back on PrPC for the patients reading this with severe ME who are interested in their own testing, I would consider contacting REDLABS in Belgium who offer an experimental PrPC test. They have a normal prion protein estimation assay for a very reasonable 75 Euro cost ($94) if you can get your sample there within 24hrs from your location:
Source: Experimental prion protein estimation (PrPC).
http://www.redlabs.be/red-labs/ordering-tests/request-forms.php
I tested mine and it was extremely low, and I've heard other patients with severe ME CFS also have very abnormal results. It would be good if REDLABS could develop such as prion protein test (misfolded proteins), e.g. PrP 'something'....and make this available to patients and the research community. Although it's interesting to see one has very low (some have high) PrPC what we really need is to then show, that a rogue prion is transcribing this normal PrPC into something more sinister. Then scientists can try and find why. Borrelia? HERV's? Retroviral Genes? etc etc.
Very low PrPC coupled with this latest brain scan technology and the BDNF reduction may well show that people diagnosed with ME CFS (and likely Chronic Lyme) actually may develop some form of neurodegeneration over many years, which could well explain progressive ''brain fog'' and/or other neurocognitive phenomena currently ignored by the wider medical profession, or by the radicals as ''functional'' disorders of the mind.
When science is permitted to go ahead into the complex nature of ME CFS, it's great to see the results. Ground breaking, quality ME CFS biomedical research may even feel like a motivational force for patient to focus on in terms of trying to keep up a positive mental health state. A recognition that some scientists (albeit in little underfunded groups) really are on the right track, or at least, potentially there.
I know I'm grateful for these scientists work and I'm sure others are too. We just need more of it, and to cancel the P2P and IOM contract ASAP and get down to the real hard facts.
Acquired neurological disease. That shouldn't be a taboo.