Genetics and Health

Genetic Basis of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

by Hsien Hsien Lei, PhD on April 23rd, 2006

After many years of being told that “yuppie flu” is not a legitimate disease, people suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) finally have some concrete evidence that chronic fatigue syndrome has a biologic basis. In a study 20,000 genes, researchers found:

“…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,” Dr. William Reeves, the CDC’s lead CFS scientist said. “This is related to the body’s ability to adapt to challenges and stresses that occur through life such as injury and trauma.”

As with other diseases, such as autism, CFS is a complicated disease that can mostly likely be divided into subsets based on a person’a genetic profile and symptoms, thus facilitating treatment. People with CFS may experience different symptoms that include unexplained fatigue, problems sleeping, problems with memory and concentration, and pain.

Researchers suspect that the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA) is involved. The HPA together with the brain helps people adapt to stressors. Some may be genetically more susceptible to specific exposures and less able to cope effectively.

Anecdotally in support of a genetic basis, I know of a mother and daughter who are both affected with CFS. Learn more about them at their blog - CFS Squared.

Yahoo! News, April 20, 2006

Technorati Tags: cfs, chronic fatigue syndrome, genetics, genes, health, disease, dna

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POSTED IN: Genetics of Disease