§ The Countess of Marasked Her Majesty's Government:
What has been the total funding by the Medical Research Council (MRC) for research into psychiatric/psychological causation and treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME); what funds have been allocated by the MRC to organic causation and treatment of CFS/ME since 1980; and to which research groups. [H L5945]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Trade and Industry (Lord Sainsbury of Turville):Since 1993–94 the MRC has not funded any research on the causation and treatment of CFS/ME apart from 1998–99, when the MRC spent £37,200 on one research grant into psychiatric/psychological causation and treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome/ myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME). The grant's title was, The role of noradrenaline in the neuropsychological pathogenisis of the chronic fatigue syndrome, and the principal applicant was Professor R K Morris, University of Manchester.
However, the MRC has funded a number of research projects into Epstein-Barr virus, which has been considered as a possible causational factor in CFS/ME.
The MRC has also funded a broader 39-month epidemiological study on chronic fatigue which ended in 1993. The grant's title was An epidemiological approach to the study of chronic fatigue in primary care and the total amount awarded was £94,600. The principal applicant was Professor A H Mann, Institute of Psychiatry.
Prior to 1993–94 the MRC stored, collected and indexed data in a format in which it is not possible to identify CFS/ME awards.
The MRC has established a research advisory group, chaired by Professor Nancy Rothwell, to advise on developing a research strategy for CFS/ME. The group's range of expertise is broad and covers epidemiology, physiology, immunology, infections, clinical trials, paediatric neurology, psychological medicine and health services research.