Genetic Insights into Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Revealed

The largest study into the genetics of chronic fatigue syndrome, or myalgic encephalomyelitis, has identified 259 genes linked to the condition, marking a six-fold increase in the number of implicated genes since August.

The study, led by researchers including Steve Gardner from Precision Life in Oxford, analyzed genomic data from over 10,500 diagnosed individuals, revealing key genetic differences from healthy individuals.

The researchers focused on single nucleotide polymorphisms, or SNPs, and discovered 22,411 groups of SNPs associated with ME/CFS risk, ultimately mapping them to 2,311 genes. This new understanding could inform treatment development for ME/CFS, which is characterized by debilitating fatigue and post-exertional malaise.

Notably, the research also clarified the genetic relationship between ME/CFS and long covid, with about 42 percent of the genes linked to long covid also appearing in ME/CFS, suggesting significant overlap between the two conditions.

The study highlights the need for further research, particularly in understanding the immune response and potential latent infections in affected individuals, as emphasized by Danny Altmann from Imperial College London, who has secured 1.1 million in funding for related investigations.