Chronic fatigue syndrome linked to genes, demonstrates an unprecedented British study

For the first time, British scientists have shown that a genetic factor was the basis of the development of chronic fatigue syndrome (Myalgic encephalomyelitis, EM/SFC), reports The Guardian daily. This is the most important study in this area.

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a complex chronic disease. It manifests itself by extreme fatigue which drastically limits the daily activity of the person who suffers from it. It is often accompanied by problems of concentration, memory disorders, muscle and articulatory pain or even an exacerbated sensitivity to stimuli (like noise). This disease being unknown, patients are mostly collided with the misunderstanding of the general public, but also of the medical profession.

In his “Decodeme” study, a British research team analyzed more than 15,500 DNA samples. From these observations, she was able to deduce that eight regions, in the human genome of people with myalgic encephalomyelitis, presented significant variations compared to the genome of the control group. The identified genes show anomalies in immune and nervous systems, which cause a different reaction to an infection.

According to Professor Chris Ponting, quoted by The Guardian, this discovery is a click. “For the first time, this study provides solid evidence of the genetic link on which EM/SFC rests,” he said.

These results also nourish hope among the members of the Belgian patient association 12me. “This is a very important step in research on chronic fatigue syndrome,” said its vice-president, Michiel Tack, in a statement. This link established with DNA therefore excludes “eating habits, activity patterns or any other factor linked to lifestyle,” he insisted. Man hopes that the study will push Belgian scientists to seize the subject to find treatment.

The number of people suffering from myalgic encephalogy in the world is estimated that 67 million people around the world. No treatment is currently available.