'A non-invasive fluorescence spectoscropy measurement of skin tryptophan and other tissue flourophores on patients with CFS/ME' Update - Volunteers still needed |
| Dr Allen and Dr Sam Stevens are conducting this
pilot study this Autumn, hopefully starting late September, and are looking
for around 40 volunteers to take part. We gave details in the last edition
of Focus and a number of people signed up. Not everyone may have seen the
last article, and may be interested in participating, therefore I repeat
the outline again here. Dr Allen explains; Tissues can glow a little in the dark – skin 'fluoresces' under different colours of light. Flourophones and Tryptophan (essential amino acid in serontonin synthesis) have recently been linked to chronic fatigue. Flourescence spectoscropy has great potential for non-invasive monitoring – enabling an 'optical biopsy'. The study aims to investigate the potential diagnostic value of this technique by asking "Can fluorescence measurements reliably differentiate between healthy subjects and those with CFS/ME?" The method uses fluorescence spectoscropy and will measure fluorescence at different skin sites along the arm. This study is made possible by funding support from the Northern CFS/ME Clinical Network. Dr Allen is hopeful that this could ultimately lead to a new diagnostic test in CFS/ME and provide a means of monitoring response to therapy. If you would like to take part in this important
work – please call the office on 0191 3892222 or e-mail menortheast1@yahoo.co.uk |