The DecodeME team announce results from the analysis of 15,579 DNA samples
DecodeME
MEA Overview
Results from the DecodeME research study, which has analysed over 15,000 samples of DNA (genetic material) from over 25,000 people with ME/CFS, were published yesterday as a pre-print paper
This means that the results and their interpretation are now open to discussion amongst the scientific community. Some of the conclusions may therefore change when the final version of the paper is published.
Key Findings
- People with an ME/CFS diagnosis have significant genetic differences in their DNA compared to the general population. These lie in many places across the genome, and do not impact just one gene.
- Eight genetic signals have been identified. As DNA doesn’t change with ME/CFS onset, these findings reflect causes rather than effects of ME/CFS.
- The signals discovered are involved in the immune and the nervous systems, indicating immunological and neurological causes to this poorly understood disease.
- At least two of the signals relate to the body’s response to infection. Other signals point to the nervous system, one of which researchers previously found in people experiencing chronic pain, reinforcing neurological contributions to ME/CFS. These signals align with how people with ME/CFS describe their illness.
MEA Comment
Yesterday was a very important day for people with ME/CFS.
These results, from the largest ever research study to look at the genetics of ME/CFS, are a significant development in our understanding of why some people are more likely to develop ME/CFS after a viral infection.
They also provide some important clues about the cause of ME/CFS – especially the involvement of the immune and nervous system.
Some of the existing drugs which affect the immune and nervous systems may therefore be useful forms of treatment for the underlying disease process in ME/CFS – rather than just treating symptoms.The MEA will comment further when I have had an opportunity to read the whole paper properly
Dr Charles Shepherd,
Trustee and Hon. Medical Adviser to the ME Association,
Member of the 2018-2021 NICE guideline on ME/CFS committee,
Member of the 2002 Chief Medical Officer's Working Group on ME/CFS
Further Information
- Decode ME Website
- The ME Association: Independent: DecodeME: Major study hopes to tackle ME stigma | Sept 22, 2023
- The ME Association: Times Radio: Decode ME has officially launched today | Sept 12, 2022
- The ME Association: DecodeME testing phase has launched! | March 11, 2022
- The ME Association: Meet The Scientist: Professor Chris Ponting – DecodeME | July 29, 2020
- The ME Association: Largest Genetic Study into ME is Launched! | June 27, 2020