Health Tip: Understanding Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
News Desk
(HealthDay News) -- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) is characterized by
a feeling of extreme tiredness that lasts more than six months and
cannot be explained ...
Health Tip: Understanding Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
06.14.06, 12:00 AM ET
(HealthDay News) -- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) is characterized by
a feeling of extreme tiredness that lasts more than six months and
cannot be explained by another medical condition, says the U.S. Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention.
CFS does not improve with bed rest, and typically gets worse with
physical activity.
Other symptoms of CFS include muscle pain or weakness, and difficulty
with memory or concentration. CFS affects far more women than men, and
most patients are between the ages of 40 and 50.
There are no laboratory tests or procedures that can officially
diagnose the condition, the CDC says. Treatments usually focus on
easing symptoms, and preventive measures to reduce stress and
overexertion. Dietary changes and physical therapy also may be in
order.
http://www.forbes.com/forbeslife/health/feeds/hscout/2006/06/14/hscout533165.html
News Desk
British Satellite News, UK - May 23, 2006
Medical researchers at a leading UK hospital school believe they may be
on the brink of a significant discovery over Chronic Fatigue Syndrome,
following a mass ...
Category: Health
London - 23 May 2006
Medical researchers at a leading UK hospital school believe they may be
on the brink of a significant discovery over Chronic Fatigue Syndrome,
following a mass study of genes in sufferers and in healthy people.
BSN: 0621B
STORY: CHRONIC FATIGUE RESEARCH
LOCATION: LONDON, UK
DATE SHOT: MAY 22, 2006 & FILE, MAY, 2003
TXN DATE: MAY 23, 2006
AUDIO: NATURAL SOUND AND ENGLISH SPEECH
DURATION: 2.27
SHOT LIST:
(London, UK, MAY, 2003)
1. Katherine Stewart at home, a sufferer from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
(CFS)
2. Stewart boils a kettle
3. She goes and sits and the sofa
4. C/u cup
(St. George's Medical School, University of London, MAY 22)
5. SOT (English speech) super : Dr. Jonathan Kerr, St. George's Medical
School
"Four years ago..
6. C/u preparing to analyse proteins in a serum sample
7. Samples being placed in ciphergen machine
8. C/u Dr. Deepika Devanur, research associate, St. George's Medical
School
9. Gv Dr. Devanur makes samples ready for analysis
10. C/u analysis in process
11. SOT (English speech) super : Dr. Jonathan Kerr, St. George's
Medical School
"We've shown that..
12. Dr. Kerr and Dr. Devanur walk to Mass Spectrometry Room
13. Dr. Devanur at work on spectrometer while Dr. Kerr watches
14. C/u spectrometer as sample is inserted
15. Dr. Devanur at computer
16. C/u detail on computer screen
17. C/u cover of spectrometer
18. SOT (English speech) super : Dr. Jonathan Kerr, St. George's
Medical School
"We're in the..
19. Pan from Dr. Devanur to Dr. Kerr as they study results on computer
20. C/u graphs of results
21. Gv researchers at work
22. Pan from Dr. Devanur to Dr. Kerr
23. Gv researchers discuss results
SUGGESTED INTRO:
Chronic Fatigue syndrome is an illness that has been a medical mystery
as well as a disease that inflicts long term distress. In recent years
research has presented a better understanding of its cause and a
British team of scientists are on the brink of a significant discovery.
SCRIPT:
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), also known as ME (Myalgic
Encephalomyelitis) has been controversial.
It has sometimes been dismissed as imaginary. The British researchers
have been conducting a mass study, comparing over 40,000 genes and
variants in sufferers and healthy people.
SOT (English speech) super: Dr. Jonathan Kerr, principal investigator,
St. George's Medical School
"Four years ago we set out on this programme of research and we were
frustrated by the fact that chronic fatigue syndrome had been labelled
as possibly, "All in the mind" and we have shown that there are
distinct biological differences between patients and normal people."
They have used two separate techniques : examining the DNA of patients
and non-sufferers, the latter known as "Controls" while also studying
the protein samples from the two groups.
Results show striking differences that have led to a potential
breakthrough.
Treatment could be based on immune therapy as well as finding a
diagnostic test across a broad range of proteins.
SOT (English speech) super: Dr. Jonathan Kerr, principal investigator,
St. George's Medical School
"We've shown that several hundred genes are very, very different
between patients and controls and we now must make sure that these are
specific differences to this disease and after that we can use that
information to design new treatments."
The next step is setting up clinical trials using beta interferon, a
drug used in the treatment of multiple sclerosis.
This drug boosts the body's immune system, combating the viruses
thought to be among the causes of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.
A German company, Schering AG, is contributing supplies of the drug for
this project.
SOT (English speech) super: Dr. Jonathan Kerr, principal investigator,
St. George's Medical School
"We're in the process of collection of several thousand samples from
patients, normal people and other patients with control diseases such
as rheumatoid arthritis, for example, and we must test our gene
signature in all these groups to make sure it is specific."
Though they have received funding in the past, a fresh financial boost
is needed for this next stage. With further support, the researchers
could make a vital contribution to understanding and combating this
debilitating illness.
(AE/MN)