Chronic Fatigue Syndrome May Be Genetic

Filed in archive Genomics, Proteomics and Bioinformatics on April 21, 2006

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), initally called the yuppy flu, is a debilitating illness characteized by unexplained fatigue, as well as a variety of non-specific symptoms such as weakness, muscle pain, impaired memory and/or mental concentration and sleeping disorders, that may last for years. Because the symptoms manifested are non-specific, it is difficult to diagnose the disease.

A new paper published in the April issue of Pharmacogenomics describes a study called the CFS Computational Challenge, or C3, and results indicate that the condition my be genetically linked.

The teams found that "people with CFS have certain genes that are related to those parts of the brain activity that mediate stress response, and they have different gene activity levels," Reeves said. "This is related to the body's ability to adapt to challenges and stresses that occur through life such as injury and trauma."

The researchers also say that CFS may be a heterogenous disease: there are probably at least four or five molecular profiles or groups of people that manifest CFS. It is still far-fetched at this point to say that they may have identified molecular targets for CFS therapy. What this study may be able to prove, though, is that CFS may indeed have a biological basis, thereby substantiating the existence of the condition.

Read the full news report here. For more on chronic fatigue syndrome, you may want to refer to the CFIDS Association of America or for a peek at someone who's coping with CFS, turn to CFS Squared.