dicine/news/BD3_010634
Academics work with locals to combat Chronic Fatigue
28 October 2009
Bond University and the community will team up for a revolutionary research
project aiming to unearth a faster diagnosis method for the debilitating
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS).
The University has put out the call for 150 locals aged 20 to 65-years-old
to take part in the world-first study, made possible through a $533,000
grant from the Queensland Government=92s Smart State program =96 the first
Smart State Grant received by Bond - as well as a $90,000 National Grant
from the Mason Foundation to further investigate immunological dysfunction
in CFS patients.
Diagnosing CFS is a lengthy process costing the community hundreds of
millions of dollars a year in consultations, treatments and lost work
hours. Diagnosis is often drawn-out and frustrating for sufferers because
of the lack of suitable pathology tests.
Bond University=92s research team, headed by Associate Professor of
Biochemistry and Cell Biology Dr Sonya Marshall-Gradisnik
http://apps.bond.edu.au/staff/profile.asp?s_id=3D184, aims to develop a
commercially viable test kits to diagnose CFS faster and more accurately as
well as establishing guidelines for diagnosis. Research will be undertaken
at the Population, Health and Neuroimmunology Unit (PHANU)
http://www.bond.edu.au/faculties-colleges/faculty-of-health-sciences-and-me
dicine/research/research-groups-centres/population-health-and-neuroimmunolo
gy-unit/index.htm.
=93We hope to unearth a quicker method of detection which will free up the
health system and limit the cost to the community,=92=92 said Dr
Marshall-Gradisnik.
=93We came up with potentially some markers that diagnose CFS. Currently,
diagnosis is based on the process of elimination, whereby patients undergo
numerous tests that look at a multitude of possibilities =96 it can take
months and is very tough on the patient.=92=92
Specifically, the University project requires 50 people diagnosed with CFS,
50 people who constantly feel exhausted but have not been diagnosed with
CFS, as well as 50 healthy people. The program will examine immunological
changes between the three groups and identify trends.
In 2002, the Royal Australian College of Physicians reported one in four
people who visited their general practitioner complaining of fatigue were
diagnosed with CFS. In the same year, the RACP predicted diagnosis,
detection and ancillary services cost the Australian community in excess of
$525 million.
Dr Marshall-Gradisnik will spend three years undertaking the research
project. She will be assisted by Bond University Professor of General
Practice Mieke Van Driel, postgraduate student Ekua Brenu, Dr Donald
Staines from the Gold Coast Population Health Unit, and the Queensland
Statewide Scientific and Forensic Services Unit.
Dr Marshall-Gradisnik said large research institutions, excited at the
possible innovation to CFS diagnosis, had already contacted her and offered
to collaborate on the project.
Participants in the project must be available for 30 minute check-ups every
six months for two years, including a blood test. In return, volunteers
will receive a thorough assessment of their health and knowledge they are
participating in potentially world-wide medical advancement.
Volunteers will undergo an initial assessment before being accepted into
the project.
People interested in volunteering for the study should contact Dr
Marshall-Gradisnik on (07) 5595 4447.
Dr Sonya Marshall-Gradisnik
See Also
Population Health & Neuroimmunology Unit (PHANU)
Study Health Sciences & Medicine
*************************** ADVERTISEMENT ******************************
Get BT Broadband from only EUR20 per month! Always-on internet
& wireless option - find out more at http://www.btireland.ie/broadband
---------------------------------------------
Send posts to CO-CURE@listserv.nodak.edu
Unsubscribe at http://www.co-cure.org/unsub.htm
Select list topic options at http://www.co-cure.org/topics.htm
---------------------------------------------
Co-Cure's purpose is to provide information from across the spectrum of
opinion concerning medical, research and political aspects of ME/CFS and/or
FMS. We take no position on the validity of any specific scientific or
political opinion expressed in Co-Cure posts, and we urge readers to
research the various opinions available before assuming any one
interpretation is definitive. The Co-Cure website <www.co-cure.org> has a
link to our complete archive of posts as well as articles of central
importance to the issues of our community.
---------------------------------------------
