Genetic variation in catechol-O-methyltransferase modifies effects of clonidine treatment in chronic fatigue syndrome.
Hall, K T, Kossowsky, J, Oberlander, T F et al.·The pharmacogenomics journal·2016
This study tested whether a blood pressure medication called clonidine helps people with ME/CFS, and found that it worked differently depending on patients' genes. Specifically, people with a certain genetic variation in a gene called COMT had worse outcomes (fewer steps walked, worse sleep, lower quality of life) when taking clonidine, while those with a different version of the gene showed no improvement or worsening. This suggests that genetic testing might help doctors figure out which patients should avoid this medication.