Smith, Alicia K, Dimulescu, Irina, Falkenberg, Virginia R et al. · Psychoneuroendocrinology · 2008 · DOI
This study looked at genes related to serotonin (a brain chemical) to see if certain genetic variations are more common in people with ME/CFS. Researchers compared 40 ME/CFS patients with 97 control subjects and found that specific genetic markers in the HTR2A gene were associated with ME/CFS and with severity of fatigue and disability. These genetic variations may increase how active the serotonin system is in the brain, which could play a role in ME/CFS.
This study identifies specific genetic variations in the serotonin system that may contribute to ME/CFS susceptibility and symptom severity, offering a potential molecular basis for understanding CNS dysfunction in this condition. If replicated, these findings could guide development of targeted therapies and improve understanding of why ME/CFS affects the brain's chemical signaling systems.
This study does not prove that HTR2A gene variants cause ME/CFS—only that they are associated with it. Genetic association does not establish causation or explain how much of ME/CFS risk these variants account for. The results require independent replication in larger, diverse populations before clinical application.
About the PEM badge: “PEM required” means post-exertional malaise was an explicit required diagnostic criterion for participant inclusion in this study — not that PEM was studied, observed, or discussed. Studies using criteria that do not require PEM (e.g. Fukuda, Oxford) are tagged “PEM not required”. How the atlas works →
The first block is for the primary paper and is the citation you should use in research work. The atlas-snapshot line only applies if you are specifically referring to this atlas’s reading of the paper on the date shown.
Primary citation
Smith, Alicia K, Dimulescu, Irina, Falkenberg, Virginia R, Narasimhan, Supraja, Heim, Christine, Vernon, Suzanne D, et al. (2008). Genetic evaluation of the serotonergic system in chronic fatigue syndrome.. Psychoneuroendocrinology. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psyneuen.2007.11.001
BibTeX
@article{mecfsatlas-smith-2008-genetic-evaluation,
author = {Smith, Alicia K and Dimulescu, Irina and Falkenberg, Virginia R and Narasimhan, Supraja and Heim, Christine and Vernon, Suzanne D and Rajeevan, Mangalathu S},
title = {Genetic evaluation of the serotonergic system in chronic fatigue syndrome.},
journal = {Psychoneuroendocrinology},
year = {2008},
doi = {10.1016/j.psyneuen.2007.11.001},
note = {PubMed: 18079067},
url = {https://www.mecfsatlas.com/evidence/smith-2008-genetic-evaluation},
}Atlas snapshot reference
ME/CFS Atlas. Generator v1 / Scanner v1.4 / policy v0.1. Accessed 2026-05-30. https://www.mecfsatlas.com/evidence/smith-2008-genetic-evaluation
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