Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inboxA study showed that eight areas of genetic code are different in people with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) than in healthy people. LONDON - Researchers at the University of Edinburgh said on Aug 6 they have discovered differences in the DNA of people with chronic fatigue syndrome that should help dispel the notion that the debilitating condition is psychological or driven by laziness. Their study found eight areas of genetic code that are different in people with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) than in healthy volunteers. The DecodeME study analysed DNA samples from 15,579 people who reported having chronic fatigue on a questionnaire and 259,909 people without it, all of European descent. Scientists who were not involved in the study said using volunteers who self-reported chronic fatigue syndrome rather than restricting participation to those with a diagnosis from a medical professional somewhat weakened its conclusions.

Source: The Times August 07, 2025 14:05 UTC