DecodeME blog: X marks the spot where ME/CFS biology can be discovered
jnmaciuch
Senior Member (Voting Rights)
That part definitely stuck out to me. The fact that the set of genes is enriched across all those regions in the brain cumulatively suggests that (if it is the neurological function of these genes that matters) it’s something about general functioning of a neuron-type cell, rather than a specific neural function or part of the brain like the hypothalamus, that might predispose someone to ME/CFS.
Unfortunately these results don’t give any indication of where that relevant function might be. It’s also just as likely that this signature is relevant in the peripheral nervous system rather than the central nervous system.
Simon M
Senior Member (Voting Rights)
hotblack
Senior Member (Voting Rights)
Is this because of analysis time or the need to get more samples?
What are the pros/cons from a scientific or funding perspective of including a new cohort of LC patients?
Would it be possible to do analysis of existing ME/CFS samples in parallel to get results which can be acted upon sooner?
Presumably saliva from the other 9k participants in DecodeME who didn’t give permission has been disposed of so it’s too late for them to change their mind? Could they be recontacted and resampled if more samples are needed?
(Maybe these are best directed to the DecodeME team, but next weeks webinar maybe seems the wrong time/place)
The long covid aspect of SequenceME seems to be new since the announcement if I'm not mistaken?
hotblack
Senior Member (Voting Rights)
I think you’re right, the numbers and emphasis seem different from this announcement
SequenceME: first of a kind genetic study - Action for ME
A groundbreaking partnership has launched today. The partners are working together to secure funding for a study which will analyse the entire...
www.actionforme.org.uk
Oxford Nanopore, Action for ME, and University of Edinburgh launch groundbreaking study into the genetics of ME
A groundbreaking study will analyse the entire genetic code of up to 17,000 people with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) in a bid to uncover the genetic causes of the illness.
nanoporetech.com
Yes! Interested to know what the rationale was but I think side by side comparison of ME and LC like this could be very valuble.I think you’re right, the numbers and emphasis seem different from this announcement
SequenceME: first of a kind genetic study - Action for ME
A groundbreaking partnership has launched today. The partners are working together to secure funding for a study which will analyse the entire...Oxford Nanopore, Action for ME, and University of Edinburgh launch groundbreaking study into the genetics of ME
A groundbreaking study will analyse the entire genetic code of up to 17,000 people with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) in a bid to uncover the genetic causes of the illness.nanoporetech.com
Simon M
Senior Member (Voting Rights)
Yup. But I'm happy to offer some guesses
My estimate was guesswork, and assumed that the longest time would be needed for the sequencing itself
I believe about 90% of people with who provided a sample gave consent for it to be used for other purposes, so will be retained. I think they're meant they have permission for the 9000 figure they had decided upon.
That would seem logical. However, I'm not sure if there are batch effects as there are in GWAS genotyping. If there are, you probably want to sequence DNA from patients from both LC & MC at the same time
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Definitely, if it's a well-defined cohort of ME-type Long Covid rather than the 'anything-that-affects-you-after-Covid-that-doesn't-have-another-explanation' definition of LC.
I think if anyone's up to the task of recruiting that cohort it's the Edinburgh team.
hotblack
Senior Member (Voting Rights)
Thanks SimonYup. But I'm happy to offer some guesses
Simon M
Senior Member (Voting Rights)
Belated thanks for creating this audio– must be very helpful for some people