Identifying causal biological mechanisms in ME/CFS by a functional genetic approach

About

Status:

Ongoing

Principal investigator:

C. (Cindy) Boer

Country:

Netherlands

Study start:

2023-01

Completion (planned):

2027-12

Last update:

2024-12-20

Research types:

Epidemiological research

Research areas:

Genetic risk factors

Interventions:

Not applicable

Priv. Sector Partner:

Not available

Sponsors:

The Netherlands Organisation for Health Research and Development (ZonMw)

Links

Project website

Other website

Project description

ME/CFS is a serious and chronic disease whose cause is still unknown. This project aims to discover which genetic (DNA) variations are involved in ME/CFS. We also want to identify genes and biological processes that cause ME/CFS. This can provide insight into possible treatment methods.

Purpose

Getting ME/CFS may be to 48-56% determined by a person's genetic (DNA) background. This has not been well investigated so far, while it is known that genetic research can be used to demonstrate the cause of ME/CFS. The aim of this project is to investigate which genetic (DNA) variations are involved in ME/CFS in order to discover the genes and biological cause(s) of ME/CFS.

Approach/method of working

This genetic study (Genome-Wide Association Study, GWAS) aims to identify variations in DNA that occur more frequently or only in people with ME/CFS. To do this, a large, global collaboration with existing (population) studies with data from ME/CFS patients will be established. By combining the DNA variations with existing layers of biological data (multi-omics) from the ME/CFS Lines consortium, genes and biological mechanisms behind ME/CFS can be identified. It will then be investigated whether there are already existing drugs that act on these genes and biological mechanisms. These drugs could then potentially be used as treatments for ME/CFS.

(Description adapted from project website: see link above)