Date of Award
Spring 5-2-2022
Document Type
Thesis
Publication Status
Version of Record
Submission Date
June 2026
College Granting Degree
Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College
Thesis/Dissertation Advisor [Chair]
Randy Blakely
Abstract
Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a debilitating, multisystem disease characterized by severe fatigue without medical explanation. Due to the complexity of the disease, treatments only partially alleviate symptoms and currently there is no cure. To develop more effective treatments and better understand its etiology, valid preclinical models need to be developed. Evidence suggests infection and serotonin homeostasis plays a role in the development of ME/CFS. Therefore, I aimed to examine whether a viral mimetic (Poly I:C) triggers long-term fatigue behavior and neuroinflammation in a mouse model. C57 and CD1 male mice were treated with Poly I:C and only CD1 mice demonstrated prolonged fatigue behavior. However, C57 mice showed increase expression of the serotonin transporter (SERT) in the brain and periphery, whereas CD1 mice showed no changes in SERT or markers of inflammation. Continued optimization of this model is required to determine under what conditions infection can produce prolonged fatigue.
Recommended Citation
Zhang, Tiffany, "ASSESSMENT OF A NEW MOUSE MODEL FOR CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME: STUDIES OF THE VIRAL MIMETIC POLY I:C ON BIOCHEMICAL MEASURES OF BRAIN INFLAMMATION AND SEROTONIN SIGNALING" (2022). Harriet L Wilkes Honors College Theses. 23.
https://digitalcommons.fau.edu/etd_honors/23