Neural Mechanisms of Fatigue in Post-Acute Sequela of SARS-CoV-2

Purpose

This proposal aims to understand the neurobiological mechanisms of fatigue in individuals with Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 Infection (PASC). This knowledge will eventually provide candidate mechanisms to target with pharmacological intervention and inform rehabilitative care for those individuals suffering from symptoms of fatigue in PASC.

Conditions

  • PASC Post Acute Sequelae of COVID 19
  • Fatigue

Eligibility

Eligible Ages
Between 18 Years and 75 Years
Eligible Sex
All
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
Yes

Inclusion Criteria

  • Age 18 to 75 years old. - Have received a clinical diagnosis of post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 (PASC)/long COVID syndrome using the criteria specified by Thaweethai, et al., 2023 (JAMA). This symptom checklist provides a score based on the number and severity of symptoms. An individual with a score >12 is classified as having PASC. - Currently experiencing Fatigue/Brain Fog as assessed with the Post-COVID symptom checklist and the PedsQL questionnaire.

Exclusion Criteria

  • Neurological disorders including, but not limited to, stroke, head injury, epilepsy, seizures, brain tumors, brain surgery, Parkinson's Disease, or any other neuromuscular disease (self-report). - Diagnosed history of severe psychiatric diseases such as depression and schizophrenia (self-report). - Congestive heart failure. - Peripheral artery disease with claudication. - Cancer. - Pulmonary or renal failure. - Unstable angina. - Uncontrolled hypertension (more than 190/110 mmHg). - Severe aphasia. - Orthopedic or pain conditions. - Have had exposure to metal or metal implants, due to the hazardous effects of the magnetic field. - If on immunomodulatory therapy, they must have been on that therapy for at least 6 months before the start of the study. Healthy age- and sex-matched controls for PASC - Exclusion criteria: Participants with a history of any of the following will be excluded from the study: - Hospitalization due to SARS-CoV-2 infection. - Neurological disorders including, but not limited to, stroke, head injury, epilepsy, seizures, brain tumors, brain surgery, Parkinson's Disease, or any other neuromuscular disease (self-report). - Diagnosed history of severe psychiatric diseases such as depression and schizophrenia (self-report). - Congestive heart failure. - Peripheral artery disease with claudication.

Study Design

Phase
N/A
Study Type
Interventional
Allocation
Non-Randomized
Intervention Model
Parallel Assignment
Primary Purpose
Basic Science
Masking
None (Open Label)

Arm Groups

ArmDescriptionAssigned Intervention
Experimental
PASC Participants - Physical Fatigue Task
Participants will perform a physically demanding task (grip force exertion task) repeatedly to induce physical fatigue.
  • Behavioral: Physical Fatigue
    Participants will perform a physically demanding task (grip force exertion task) repeatedly to induce physical fatigue.
Experimental
Control Participants - Physical Fatigue Task
Participants will perform a physically demanding task (grip force exertion task) repeatedly to induce physical fatigue.
  • Behavioral: Physical Fatigue
    Participants will perform a physically demanding task (grip force exertion task) repeatedly to induce physical fatigue.

Recruiting Locations

Kennedy Krieger Institute
Baltimore 4347778, Maryland 4361885 21201
Contact:
Anthony Gonzalez
443-923-2716
gonzalezan@kennedykrieger.org

More Details

Status
Recruiting
Sponsor
Hugo W. Moser Research Institute at Kennedy Krieger, Inc.

Study Contact

Anthony Gonzalez
443-923-2716
gonzalezan@kennedykrieger.org