SINGLE NUCLEOTIDE POLYMORPHISMS IN CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME: POSSIBLE GENETIC FACTORS INFLUENCING PATHOPHYSIOLOGY

Melnick Auditorium

Objective. The purpose of this research is to explore the prevalence of specific single nucleotide polymorphisms within the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome population that may influence the onset and course of the disease. Background. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is an extremely debilitating disease characterized by overwhelming fatigue, post-exertional malaise, sleep dysfunctions, chronic pain manifestations, and a variety of other neurological, autonomic, and immune abnormalities. Though the CFS research community is making great progress in increasing the understanding of the disease, a definitive disease model still remains elusive. Methods. In the current study, SNP genotype data is being collected from CFS Patients who were tested using a DNA micro array method by a third party. The resulting data is being analyzed by comparing specific CFS relevant genotype prevalence within the patient dataset to the corresponding prevalence within a control dataset sourced from the NIH funded 1000 Genome project. Results. Preliminary data show promising differences between the prevalence of several gene polymorphisms when comparing the CFS patient data to the data of the 1000 genome project. These polymorphism have the potential to influence many processes, including innate immune function, humoral immunity, antioxidant defense, autophagic processes, and the metabolism of catecholamines, folate, and glutamic acid. Conclusion. This study revealed several single nucleotide polymorphisms of interest. Further research is needed to determine the significance of these findings in the pathophysiology of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Grants. N/A