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People with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) are being sought to participate in the world's largest genetic study of the disease.

The study, DecodeME, aims to better understand the causes and symptoms of the condition to find treatments.

Those taking part in the University of Edinburgh research will complete an online questionnaire about their health and provide a saliva sample.

Experts are looking for 20,000 people to take part.

More than 250,000 people in the UK are affected by ME but the causes of the disease are still unknown and there is no diagnostic test or effective treatment.

Symptoms include pain, "brain fog" and extreme exhaustion that cannot be improved with rest.

It is hoped the study by the MRC Human Genetics Unit, will reveal the tiny differences in a person's DNA that can increase their risk of developing ME, also known as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS).

Researchers will test 20,000 samples of saliva to analyse whether the disease is partly genetic, and if so, study its cause to find effective treatments.

The study has been expanded to analyse...