We have a passion for research. Since 1990, The ME Association has been raising money for scientific research into ME/CFS and we have a seperate research fund for that very purpose. If you would like to further research into the illness then go to our 'How can you help us?' section.

We are at present funding Professor John Gow's research study at Glasgow Caledonian University into gene expression for which there are high hopes. Our medical advisor is involved in the PRIME Project and the ME Research Observatory at the University of East Anglia. Discussions are also taking place to fund post-mortem studies on brain material to see if there is any organic evidence of brain damage in people with ME/CFS.

Over the past years The ME Association has funded studies into Biochemical Markers for ME/CFS; Neuroendocrine Function; Proton Spectroscopy and Hippocampal Volume; the Role of the Blood-brain Barrier in the Pathogenesis of CFS; Antiviral Pathways in Patients with ME/CFS; Search for Evidence of Persisting Viral Infection (seven different viruses) and One Non-viral Pathogen in ME/CFS.

Each piece of research adds to the bigger picture about this illness. With your support we can continue to seek scientific evidence that will show that this illness is a real and physical one. This, in turn, will lead us to better treatments for people with ME/CFS

The ME Association provides information and support on ME/CFS to people with ME/CFS, their parents, carers, health professionals, partners and many others. We strive to develop professional and quality information materials and services.

Members receive a magazine from The ME Association on a quarterly basis. It's called ME Essential. It covers our research news, and keeps members up-to-date with medical and scientific developments.

It is vitally important that you and others are kept informed of the latest research and development findings so that you can develop the ability to manage your symptoms effectively and improve your quality of life.

If you would like to refer to an article in a back issue, please refer to the ME Essential Magazine index.

The ME Association funds its services through subscriptions, donations and fundraising; for example:

Membership, donations, Donate As You Spend, payroll giving, sponsored activity, Gift Aid, sponsored literature, legacies and gifts, The Great Weather Lottery, Webb Ivory catalogues, merchandising

In this section we are building up a collection of general documents for our website visitors to download.

Memorandum & Articles of Association ('pdf' document - filesize: 102Kb)

Grievance procedure ('pdf' document - filesize: 39Kb)

Confidentiality policy - ME Connect ('pdf' document - filesize: 14kb)