New Study: Genes In Blood May Link Chronic Fatigue Syndrome To Mononucleosis
Posted by Catherine Morgan on July 10, 2007
New Study: Genes In Blood May Link Chronic Fatigue Syndrome To Mononucleosis
This is great news for anyone suffering with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Once doctors are able to see a specific cause of this disease, they will not be able to deny the existence of CFS, they will not be able to say our symptoms are due to depression or anxiety. This could also lead to an actual diagnostic test for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, which would also validate this disease as more than just a diagnosis of exclusion. Even better news would be if this new information could lead to better treatment.
Below are two articles explaining the results of this new research.
Research conducted by the University of New South Wales has shed new light on chronic fatigue syndrome.
The research team examined the actions of 30,000 genes in the blood of people who had glandular fever.
They discovered 35 genes linked to the fatigue syndrome.
The research team found that while some people recovered from glandular fever, others developed a fatigue-like illness.
The research leader, Professor Andrew Lloyd, says he was totally surprised by the findings.
“None of the genes are things that have previously been implicated,” he said.
Professor Lloyd says most of the linked genes maintain the cells’ fundamental health, with only two relating to brain chemical disorder.
He says that the research is the first step towards a better understanding of the syndrome.
“This is an early step towards two things,” he said.
“One is a step towards a kind of a diagnostic marker for the illness.”
“And then another is that by studying these genes and their functions, it might help us understand the disease process, and that will lead us to treatment.”
Gene Expression In Blood May Hold Clues to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
CFS is marked by severe, chronic mental and physical exhaustion, arising in a previously healthy and active person.
The study was conducted by a team of researchers led by Professor Andrew Lloyd at the University of New South Wales.
As part of the research, scientists examined six million pieces of gene expression information to study the differences in gene expression patterns in the blood of 15 individuals who either recovered promptly after acute glandular fever or developed prolonged illness called post-infective syndrome.
Gene expression is significant because it is the process by which a gene’s DNA sequence is converted into the proteins that ultimately determine the manifestations of disease.
Researchers studied the expression of 30,000 genes in the blood, testing each person between four and five times over a 12-month period.
The study found that there were just 35 genes whose pattern of expression correlated closely with the key symptoms of the illness when examined from onset through to recovery.
“These genes might point to the nature of the disease process that underlies CFS, which is currently unknown,” Professor Lloyd said.
The findings of the study were published in the Journal of Infectious Diseases.
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Also See: Chronic Illness and Depression – What came first?
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New Study: Genes In Blood May Link Chronic Fatigue Syndrome To … by depression.vahalo.com said
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