Top Brains Tackle Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

03:27 AEST Fri Dec 3 2010

Some of the world's leading researchers in neuroscience and immunology have gathered on the Gold Coast for an international science symposium on the debilitating chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS).

It's estimated about a quarter of a million Australians are affected by the illness, which causes dysfunction of the brain and the gastro-intestinal, immune, endocrine and cardiac systems.

The cost to the Australian community is put at close to $380 million a year.

Symposium co-organiser Dr Sonya Marshall-Gradisnik said for the next two days top scientists from around the world will focus on the current state of research into CFS and help set a focus for research in the future.
"The objective is to bring new research ideas and different approaches to explaining and treating this disabling condition," she said.

It's the first conference to pull together scientists involved in CFS research and others who haven't worked closely in the field but whose "incisive minds and research skills" may help in unravelling this perplexing condition.

The symposium at Bond University's Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine will end on Saturday.