Preprint Initial findings from the DecodeME genome-wide association study of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome, 2025, DecodeMe Collaboration

[arnoble]

Why did decode focus on protein-coding genes only? Are dodgy miRNA pathways of no interest?

 

[duncan]

Because it is our immune system causing the behaviour, not the virus

Behaviour, not symptoms? And what caused the immune system to act this way? Does DecodeME reveal that unequivocally?

 

[Jonathan Edwards]

A virus that infects the host and causes the host to not interact with anyone else kind of is a bad virus. So by this logic it might be some immune misfire rather than virus.

I think that must basically be right, even if you aren't supposed to ascribe desires to viruses. If you do that the next thing is to make them function.

 

[Simon M]

Why did decode focus on protein-coding genes only? Are dodgy miRNA pathways of no interest?

I'm not sure that is the case. The first thing they look for is the genetic signal, then they look to see what was captured by that genetic signal. I think that was mainly protein coding genes. I had a feeling there was at least one RNA species. I don't know if that showed up in the supplementary information?

 

[duncan]

I think that must basically be right, even if you aren't supposed to ascribe desires to viruses

Must? One or two assumptions folded into this logic?

 

[duncan]

A virus that infects the host and causes the host to not interact with anyone else kind of is a bad virus. So by this logic it might be some immune misfire rather than virus

I'm simply not sure this needs to be true.

 

[Utsikt]

I'm simply not sure this needs to be true.

All living things pretty much have to be genetically programmed to survive and to replicate because if not, they would not be around anymore.

The only way I can imagine that a virus might survive in a population if it causes people to essentially hibernate, is if it causes only some people to hibernate due to rare traits in those people.

Maybe others have some other ideas?

 

[Andy]

For what it is worth, I'll treat your questions in good faith.

Behaviour, not symptoms?

Behaviour, "the way in which a machine or natural phenomenon works or functions".

And what caused the immune system to act this way?

An immune challenge of some sort.

Does DecodeME reveal that unequivocally?

Of course not, and we make no such claim.

 

[duncan]

All living things pretty much have to be genetically programmed to survive and to replicate because if not, they would not be around anymore.

Fair. But it doesn't have to manifest in typical fashion, i.e. at the progressive expense of the infected. Take parasites, for example.

The only way I can imagine that a virus might survive in a population if it causes people to essentially hibernate, is if it causes only some people to hibernate due to rare traits in those people.

Maybe others have some other ideas?

Perhaps if it's not the virus that persists, or if it is, that it doesn't conform to usual characteristics. Similar to ME/CFS qualities. Of course, it doesn't have to be a virus.

 

[duncan]

For what it is worth, I'll treat your questions in good faith.

Why wouldn't you? But thanks.

Behaviour, "the way in which a machine or natural phenomenon works or functions".

Behavior is one step removed from symptoms, which of course would explain why sickness behavior was coined by a veterinarian.

 

[Utsikt]

Behavior is one step removed from symptoms, which of course would explain why sickness behavior was coined by a veterinarian.

If you take the general definition of behaviour that Andy provided, it encapsulates every symptom.

 

[duncan]

Yes. Sorta.

Point?

Mine: It's how it has been used against us historically that weighs on my mind, and I would hope in a forum such as ours we wouldn't be cavalier about word coinage.