July 11, 2008
Researchers at Tufts University, Boston, and the University of Illinois at Chicago are issuing a national call for ME/CFS (chronic fatigue syndrome) patients in the U.S. to participate at no cost to them in a study to identify genetic risk factors that may be associated with the illness.
The study is designed to allow remote, home-based patient participation, allowing the broadest sample possible – with a target of 400 individuals, ages 13 to 64, with a documented physician’s diagnosis of either ME/CFS (‘chronic fatigue syndrome’) or mononucleosis.
- The first portion of the study includes a phone interview and home-based blood draw (at no cost to patient) – target participation 400 patients.
- The second part of the study will follow 40 selected ME/CFS patients and 40 healthy control subject over a two-year time period. These subjects will be interviewed by phone and submit home-based blood draws on three occasions during that period.
- Throughout, participants will be able to continue their current routines and therapies.
The study’s principal investigators are:
- Dr. Brigitte Huber of Tufts University and
- Dr. Renee Taylor of the University of Illinois at Chicago.
Both specialize in ME/CFS research and have been involved, for example, in studying the possibility that those who develop ME/CFS may be susceptible to activation of an ancient retrovirus in the human genome.
Contact Information
To learn more, contact Dr. Renee Taylor
Phone 847-207-7944 (office)
E-mail rtaylor@uic.edu
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