Shared biological process links chronic exhaustion across five illnesses

A new study has identified a shared biological process that may explain chronic exhaustion across five distinct illnesses: PTSD, long Covid, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic fatigue syndrome, and multiple sclerosis. The findings were published in the Journal of Translational Medicine. Researchers from the University of East Anglia and Oxford BioDynamics found that genes linked to each condition converge on the same major biological systems, including immune signaling, mitochondrial energy production, and stress-response mechanisms. This suggests different triggers, such as viral infections or trauma, can disrupt common regulatory circuits. The analysis used a platform examining 3D genome architecture, revealing that despite little direct genetic overlap, the diseases are deeply connected at a network level. This convergence may explain why millions worldwide experience similarly profound and disabling fatigue.