- A new study published in Alzheimer’s and Dementia found more evidence of alterations associated with Alzheimer’s disease in people with Long COVID. Notably, scientists identified a larger choroid plexus, a region of blood vessels in the brain, as well as reduced cerebral blood flow. Other recent studies have found alterations in cerebral blood flow in Long COVID. The study compared people with Long COVID and people who “recovered” after COVID-19 to controls. Even those “recovered” had similar reduced cerebral blood flow to people with Long COVID. “These alterations were associated with sleep disturbances, cognitive impairment, and plasma biomarkers of [Alzheimer’s disease], suggesting a potential link to future dementia risk,” the authors concluded, stating that MRI imaging may serve as a marker of neurological symptoms of Long COVID.
- The National Institutes of Health (NIH) recently launched the second phase of their adult observational study within RECOVER, the flagship Long COVID research program. The survey study will include 5,000 people with Long COVID and controls from the first cohort of 15,000 people, with improvements to “help reduce burden” for participants over the next two years. Participants will also contribute biosamples including blood and saliva and undergo other tests. Funding for this second phase of observational studies was announced in December 2024.
- Despite extensive research showing Long COVID is not deconditioning and is a biological disease, the Veteran Affairs Office of Research and Development is leading a potentially harmful behavioral trial of dieting and exercise for Long COVID. The study aims to recruit 150 Veterans up to age 80 who will undergo weekly workout and nutrition classes for twelve weeks, comparing them to “weight stability” participants who will undergo stretching and “education” classes. Post-exertional malaise impacts many people with Long COVID and can worsen with exercise; but the trial’s description on clinicaltrials.gov does not mention PEM. The trial is led by principal investigator Alice S. Ryan and is recruiting in San Antonio, Texas, and Baltimore, Maryland.
