chronic fatigue syndrome

From SMH:

Chronic fatigue syndrome, often dismissed as the imaginings of depressed whingers, is actually caused by genetic mutations that impair the central nervous system's ability to adapt to stress.

Small changes in genes in the brain prevent the nervous system from rebounding from everyday stress, eventually triggering a cascade of molecular responses that leave the patient severely debilitated, researchers from the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention reported in the journal Pharmacogenomics.

"This is the first credible evidence for a biological basis [for the syndrome]," said a CDC director, Dr Julie Gerberding.

The findings will provide immediate help in diagnosing the disorder, which often puzzles physicians because of the broad spectrum of symptoms and the absence of defining biochemical markers.

It could lead to the development of effective treatments for patients, who now receive only therapy to mitigate symptoms - or are scoffed at as slackers.

Added info here.

chronic fatigue syndrome

From SMH:

Chronic fatigue syndrome, often dismissed as the imaginings of depressed whingers, is actually caused by genetic mutations that impair the central nervous system's ability to adapt to stress.

Small changes in genes in the brain prevent the nervous system from rebounding from everyday stress, eventually triggering a cascade of molecular responses that leave the patient severely debilitated, researchers from the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention reported in the journal Pharmacogenomics.

"This is the first credible evidence for a biological basis [for the syndrome]," said a CDC director, Dr Julie Gerberding.

The findings will provide immediate help in diagnosing the disorder, which often puzzles physicians because of the broad spectrum of symptoms and the absence of defining biochemical markers.

It could lead to the development of effective treatments for patients, who now receive only therapy to mitigate symptoms - or are scoffed at as slackers.

Added info here.