IMAGE DESCRIPTION: Graphic of a DNA strand. Decode ME Logo. Heading - The Guardian: Scientists find link between genes and ME/CFS

The Guardian: Scientists find link between genes and ME/CFS

“These provide the first robust evidence for genetic contributions to ME,” Ponting said. “There are many genetic variants that apply across the genome that predispose people to be diagnosed with ME.”

Ian Sample, The Guardian

Summary

On the 6th of August, 2025, DecodeME published the pre-print of their DNA Study, which identified eight genetic signals which were different in those with ME/CFS to those without. You can read more about their findings with a summary from Dr Charles Shepherd, here.

The Guardian, alongside other major media outlets, have written about the findings of this pre-print paper, as below.

Extracts from The Guardian

Early findings from the world’s largest study into the genetics of the condition pinpointed eight regions of the human genome that were substantially different in people with an ME/CFS diagnosis compared to those without the illness.

The discovery suggests that several variants of genes commonly found in the population raise the risk of developing the illness, though many people will carry the variants and never acquire it.

Prof Chris Ponting, an investigator on the DecodeME study at the University of Edinburgh, called the results “a wake-up call” that showed a person’s genetics could “tip the balance” on whether they would develop ME/CFS.

“These provide the first robust evidence for genetic contributions to ME,” Ponting said. “There are many genetic variants that apply across the genome that predispose people to be diagnosed with ME.”

Read The Guardian Article

Further media coverage

The ME Association: Website Terminology

CFS - Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
ME - Myalgic Encephalomyelitis or Encephalopathy
PVFS - Post-Viral Fatigue Syndrome

Long Covid - Post-Covid Fatigue Syndrome
PACS - Post-Acute Sequalae of Covid-19
PEM - Post-Exertional Malaise
RRF - The ME Association Ramsay Research Fund

DecodeME - The World's Largest Genetic Study
DHSC - Department of Health & Social Care
DWP - Department of Work & Pensions
JLA PSP - James Lind Alliance Priority Setting Partnership
MERC - ME Research Collaborative

MRC - Medical Research Council
NICE - National Institute for Health & Care Excellence
NIHR - National Institute for Health & Care Research
UKRI - UK Research and Innovation

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