People with chronic fatigue syndrome, also known as myalgic encephalomyelitis, appear to have eight genetic signals that differ from those without the condition
By Michael Marshall
6 August 2025
Genetics may be a key driver in the onset of chronic fatigue syndrome, or myalgic encephalomyelitis
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Genetic factors that could contribute to people’s risk of developing chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), also known as myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), have been identified in a large study. Scientists have linked eight regions of the human genome to the condition, based on DNA samples from more than 15,000 people who have it.
“Our study provides the first robust evidence of genetic contributions to ME,” says Sonya Chowdhury at the charity Action for ME in the UK.
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In the long run, the findings could contribute to the development of new diagnostic tools and treatments for ME/CFS, which has been recognised for decades and is marked chiefly by post-exertional malaise, a severe and debilitating response to even mild exertion.
But already, the results provide “validity and credibility” for people with the condition, says Chowdhury. “Many people have experienced comments like ‘ME’s not real’,” she says. “They’ve been to doctors and been disbelieved and told it’s not a real illness.”
“This will be huge for the patient population,” says Andy Devereux-Cooke, co-founder of the Science for ME forum, who has had the condition for 45 years.