Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42082542›Full record

ArticleScientific reports2026

Involvement of autoantibodies against G protein-coupled receptors in post-COVID condition and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

N Azcue, A Prada, R Del Pino, M Acera, T Fernández-Valle, N Ayo-Mentxakatorre, T Pérez-Concha, A Murueta-Goyena, J V Lafuente, A López de Munain and 5 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Scientific reports, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

15 authors.

N AzcueNeurodegenerative Diseases Group, Biobizkaia Health Research Institute, Barakaldo, Spain.
A PradaDepartment of Immunology, Donostia University Hospital-OSAKIDETZA, San Sebastián, Spain.
R Del PinoNeurodegenerative Diseases Group, Biobizkaia Health Research Institute, Barakaldo, Spain. delpinorocio@gmail.com.
M AceraNeurodegenerative Diseases Group, Biobizkaia Health Research Institute, Barakaldo, Spain.
T Fernández-ValleNeurodegenerative Diseases Group, Biobizkaia Health Research Institute, Barakaldo, Spain.
N Ayo-MentxakatorreNeurodegenerative Diseases Group, Biobizkaia Health Research Institute, Barakaldo, Spain.
T Pérez-ConchaDepartment of Neurology, Cruces University Hospital-OSAKIDETZA, Barakaldo, Spain.
A Murueta-GoyenaNeurodegenerative Diseases Group, Biobizkaia Health Research Institute, Barakaldo, Spain.
J V LafuenteDepartment of Neurosciences, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Leioa, Spain.
A López de MunainDepartment of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Deusto, Bilbao, Spain.
G Ruiz IrastorzaAutoimmune Diseases Research Unit, Biobizkaia Health Research Institute, Barakaldo, Spain.
L RibacobaDepartment of Internal Medicine, Cruces University Hospital, Barakaldo, Spain.
I GabilondoNeurodegenerative Diseases Group, Biobizkaia Health Research Institute, Barakaldo, Spain.
B Tijero-MerinoNeurodegenerative Diseases Group, Biobizkaia Health Research Institute, Barakaldo, Spain.
J C Gómez-EstebanNeurodegenerative Diseases Group, Biobizkaia Health Research Institute, Barakaldo, Spain. juancarlos.gomezesteban@osakidetza.eus.

Funding

BIOEF through EITB maratoia BIOS21/COV/006grants for health research projects from the Basque Government 2021111006Instituto de Salud Carlos III PI20/01076pre‑doctoral research grant from the Basque Government PRE_2024_2_0237
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Post-COVID condition (PCC) and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) are chronic disorders marked by fatigue, autonomic dysfunction, and cognitive impairment. Autoantibodies (AAbs) targeting adrenergic and muscarinic receptors have been implicated in their pathophysiology. This study aimed to investigate the association between these AAbs, autonomic nervous system (ANS) function, and cognitive performance in PCC and ME/CFS. We included 96 PCC patients, 59 ME/CFS patients, and 36 healthy controls (HCs). Plasma AAbs against α1, β1, β2 adrenergic and M1-M4 muscarinic receptors were measured via ELISA. ANS function was evaluated using COMPASS-31, Sudoscan, hemodynamic tests (deep breathing, Valsalva, tilt test), and heart rate variability. Cognitive domains assessed included attention, fluency, processing speed, memory, visuoconstruction, perception, and executive functions. ME/CFS patients had significantly higher β2 adrenergic AAb titers than PCC and HCs (F₂,₁₈₆ = 3.15, p = 0.046). PCC patients showed more borderline/pathological M3 muscarinic AAb results compared to HCs. β2 AAb levels correlated with increased autonomic symptoms in PCC (r = 0.27, p = 0.048) and sympathovagal imbalance in ME/CFS (r = 0.45, p = 0.001). In ME/CFS, M1, M3, and M4 AAb titers positively correlated with verbal and working memory performance. Distinct AAb profiles in PCC and ME/CFS suggest potential differences in immunological mechanisms. β2 adrenergic receptor AAbs were associated with measures of autonomic dysfunction in PCC patients, and with sympathovagal parameters in ME/CFS patients. Muscarinic AAbs were correlated with cognitive performance in ME/CFS, supporting a potential role of these autoantibodies in autonomic and cognitive dysfunction. These findings support further investigation of AAbs as biomarkers and therapeutic targets.

Indexed as

AutoantibodiesFatigue Syndrome, ChronicReceptors, G-Protein-CoupledAdultAutonomic Nervous SystemCase-Control StudiesFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedPost-Acute COVID-19 SyndromeReceptors, MuscarinicSARS-CoV-2AutoantibodiesReceptors, G-Protein-CoupledReceptors, MuscarinicAdrenergic receptor antibodiesDysautonomiaMuscarinic receptor antibodiesMyalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue SyndromePost-COVID condition

Identifiers

PMID42082542
PMCPMC13334049

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LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.