# DMCC for ME/CFS CCR: Recompete 2022

> **NIH NIH U24** · RESEARCH TRIANGLE INSTITUTE · 2024 · $868,249

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
The Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) Collaborative Research Centers (CRCs)
Network was created in 2017 to foster multidisciplinary research to inform the etiology, pathogenesis, and
treatment of ME/CFS, a debilitating, complex, multisystem disorder that affects approximately 0.9% of the
population worldwide. Although researchers have identified multiple hypotheses for disease etiology and
differential patterns in biological processes, the underlying mechanisms that trigger ME/CFS symptoms and
their treatment remain unknown. During the next cycle of the Network, a comprehensive approach is needed
to (1) identify subtypes of ME/CFS based on biological markers and symptom classifications, (2) conduct
longitudinal studies to understand the time course of disease and its manifestations, (3) develop and validate
outcome measures for future intervention trials, and (4) identify potential treatment targets. To support these
studies, the Data Management and Coordinating Center (DMCC) will serve as a foundational resource to the
CRCs by providing (1) expertise in patient-centered research, data processing, and analysis; (2)
communication and social media tools to actively engage the broader ME/CFS community (e.g., ME/CFS
patients, clinicians, researchers); and (3) real-time study status dashboards to monitor CRC recruitment and
retention and track study progress. In addition, as the Network’s current DMCC, RTI is uniquely positioned to
facilitate data mining/integration and clinical data and biospecimen sharing within and outside the Network by
expanding the capabilities and reach of our publicly available online ME/CFS research tools mapMECFS and
searchMECFS. Specifically, the DMCC will continue to support the endeavors of the Network and the CRCs
and enhance our research tools to help define the cause(s) of ME/CFS and discover better diagnostics and
treatment to improve the health outcomes for individuals with ME/CFS by accomplishing our three specific
aims. Aim 1. Enable novel discovery through collaborative science by expanding the content, userbase, and
functionality of the mapMECFS data sharing portal. Aim 2. Advance ME/CFS research through our secure
online data portal with enhanced data collection, data sharing, and clinical/biospecimen linkage tools. Aim 3.
Promote research efficiency and foster collaboration and coordination by enhancing communication with
ME/CFS internal and external partners and providing logistical and administrative support to the CRCs. The
DMCC will be co-led by multiple Principal Investigators (mPIs) Linda Morris Brown, MPH, DrPH, and Matthew
Schu, PhD. Together they bring 58 years of experience in multisite consortia coordination, project
management, conducting and monitoring of observational studies, web-based data collection instruments,
specimen collection, publication of results, and sharing of de-identified data. Our mPI leadership model pairing
a senior epidemiologi...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10868533
- **Project number:** 5U24NS105535-07
- **Recipient organization:** RESEARCH TRIANGLE INSTITUTE
- **Principal Investigator:** Linda Morris Brown
- **Activity code:** U24 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $868,249
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2017-09-25 → 2028-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10868533

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10868533, DMCC for ME/CFS CCR: Recompete 2022 (5U24NS105535-07). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10868533. Licensed CC0.

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