TalkGenes Identified for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Yesterday the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced that researchers have identified clusters of genes that appear to be involved in the development of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. The findings, from the largest and most comprehensive clinical study to date, could lead to a better understanding of CFS.
Specifically, these findings may help with diagnosis, help with the development of treatment drugs, help understand who is at risk for CFS, and help identify preventive measures.
This research underscores both the promise of genomic research and the complexity of it. Genes are rarely a black-and-white issue, and genes rarely work alone. Identifying genes is just the beginning. Understanding how they are expressed, and the factors that affect their expression, is the next step.
Dr. Suzanne Vernon of the CDC has been quoted in the recent flurry of news coverage. She mentions a prior study that distinguished different gene activity patterns between healthy people and people with CFS, and explains: “What we have shown now is that in addition to the differences in gene activity that we know occur, there are actual differences in the genetic makeup — the DNA code — that probably results in the differences in the gene activity and also results in the manifestations of the illness itself.”
Listen to a great investigative report on NPR’s “Morning Edition”
Read news coverage, each has details about the research:
Washington Post
Los Angeles Times
New York Times
Sydney Morning Herald
Technorati Tags: genes, DNA, chronic fatigue syndrome, health, disease, genes and environment
May 16th, 2006 at 10:18 pm
Hi Lisa
Thanks for dropping by my blog. I am checking yours out tonite, as I just found your comment. Trying to figure out how someone REAL actually ended up on my site- LOL!!!
I love this whole genetic testing idea but I have a heck of a time figuring out how anyone is ever going to put what they know into practice. There are cancer genes, but no-one to test. THere are pain genes- same problem. And it is frustrating.
The whole CFS thing is intriguing- I do not have it but I just think it is too often seen as a fakers disease. Not good!!
Will snoop here now…………..
May 17th, 2006 at 12:39 pm
Hello impatient patient,
Thanks for stopping by! I absolutely agree that genetic research — and the information it provides is complicated. What do we do with it? What does it mean to you and me, our families, our neighbors? That what excites me about working in this field.
I think the keys to genetic testing are understanding both what a test can tell you AND what it can’t.. and then, what you can do with that knowledge. People say “Knowledge is power”, and yes sometimes on it’s own knowledge is powerful. But I believe that the “power” part of that saying really comes whether you can put that “knowledge” into practice.
January 8th, 2007 at 7:01 pm
hi,
I think the 16 to 32 genes that are over and under expressing in CFIDS are changed by a virus that is probably as yet undetected although some researchers in the past have detected a new virus in CFIDS in vitro but the results haven’t been duplicated and one of the main researchers, Dr. DeFreitas became bedridden with CFIDS herself and could no longer continue her research.
http://www.ncf-net.org/forum/NCFDisclosureSpring04.htm
kris
January 10th, 2007 at 12:14 pm
Hi Kris, thanks for the comment. I wouldn’t be surprised if gene expression that affects CFIDS is correlated with a virus or similar agent. For example, the recent discovery of how the human papillomavirus affects cervical cancer risk has changed our understanding of cervical cancer, prevention strategies, and medical guidelines.