Neurophysiological characterisation of post-COVID fatigue
Lead Research Organisation:
Newcastle University
Department Name: Biosciences Institute
Abstract
In most people, especially those under 40 years of age, a COVID infection typically produces only mild symptoms, without the need for hospitalisation. However it is becoming increasingly evident that, even after a mild infection, there can be neurological issues that can linger for much longer. Of these, fatigue and muscle weakness are reported very frequently (typically in 1 in 5 people) and can last for several weeks after recovery from the infection. As a new disease, how COVID impacts on brain function remains unclear and this is particularly true for post-COVID fatigue (pCF). We aim to study how pCF affects several different brain systems and to monitor their progression over time.
Fatigue can occur in many different conditions, but regardless of the cause, its detrimental impact on quality of life and productivity is well established, particularly if it develops into a chronic symptom. Even after this pandemic is brought under control, by whatever measures develop over the coming months and years, longer term issues such as fatigue will continue to reap a substantial cost both to the individuals but also to the economic recovery of the nation as a whole. By understanding the neural mechanisms of pCF we can understand the epidemiology better and make more rational decisions for interventions and treatments.
Fatigue can occur in many different conditions, but regardless of the cause, its detrimental impact on quality of life and productivity is well established, particularly if it develops into a chronic symptom. Even after this pandemic is brought under control, by whatever measures develop over the coming months and years, longer term issues such as fatigue will continue to reap a substantial cost both to the individuals but also to the economic recovery of the nation as a whole. By understanding the neural mechanisms of pCF we can understand the epidemiology better and make more rational decisions for interventions and treatments.
Technical Summary
Despite the high severity of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in a substantial minority of those infected, most people only suffer from mild initial symptoms, which typically resolve without the need for hospitalisation. However there is increasing evidence that longer term neurological sequelae can occur even after mild disease, and of these, fatigue and muscle weakness are reported with a high incidence (typically >20%). Although fatigue can be a non-specific core symptom associated with many different conditions, its detrimental impact on quality of life and productivity is well established, particularly if it develops into a chronic symptom. As a novel disease, the mechanisms behind the impact of COVID on neural function remain unclear and this is particularly so for post-COVID fatigue (pCF). Our aim is to use observational and electrophysiological methods to characterise the neural mechanisms behind pCF, particularly with respect to the sensorimotor system and to monitor their progression over time. Even after this pandemic is brought under control, by whatever measures develop over the coming months and years, the longer term sequelae will continue to reap a substantial cost both to the individuals but also to the economic recovery of the nation as a whole. By understanding the neural mechanisms of pCF we can understand the epidemiology better and make more rational decisions for interventions and treatments.
Organisations
Publications
Baker A
(2023)
Neural dysregulation in post-COVID fatigue
in Brain Communications
Astin R
(2023)
Long COVID: mechanisms, risk factors and recovery.
in Experimental physiology
Baker A
(2022)
Neural Dysregulation in Post-COVID Fatigue
Description | Although for many people in the early stages of the pandemic, a COVID infection was relatively mild and did not require hospitalisation, some went on to develop some lingering symptoms that would persist for several weeks or months after an infection. One of the most common symptoms is fatigue and this can be debilitating for sufferers with a substantial impact on quality of life, but its mechanisms were not clear. As part of our award we examined otherwise healthy people who suffered from fatigue after a mild COVID infection and we found evidence for dysregulation in different components of the nervous system (compared to controls) . This is important as it might highlight either that this group of people developed irregularities in these systems after the infection, or that these irregularities were present beforehand, making them more susceptible to fatigue after the infection. |
Exploitation Route | Too early to say - but identifying which components of the nervous system are different in people suffering from persistent fatigue (after a COVID infection) could eventually help in determining biomarkers for fatigue not just after COVID but also for the many other conditions have fatigue as a comorbidity (including other viral infections). |
Sectors | Healthcare,Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology,Other |
Description | Percutaneous Auricular Nerve Stimulation for Treating Post-COVID Fatigue (PAuSing-Post-COVID Fatigue) |
Amount | £640,180 (GBP) |
Funding ID | COV-LT2-0022 |
Organisation | National Institute for Health Research |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 08/2021 |
End | 08/2023 |
Description | Invitation to speak at Physiological Society Conference on Long COVID |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | I was invited to present our preliminary work on a conference by the physiological society, that aimed to review the challenges of understanding the pathophysiological changes following COVID-19 infection. This sought to bring together physiologists and clinicians, we can better understand the underlying mechanisms and identify potential therapies. It is too early to comment on outcomes but have been invited to contribute to "perspectives" style review/opinion article to be published in Experimental Physiology. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://www.physoc.org/events/long-covid-mechanisms-risk-factors-and-recovery/ |
Description | Press release at commencement of study |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
Results and Impact | We carried out a press release relating to the commencement of this work, with the aim of informing the general public (and potential participants) regarding our work. We also carried out a radio advertisement through Metro Radio in the north east. https://www.ncl.ac.uk/press/articles/archive/2021/04/covid-19fatiguestudy/ |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | http://covidfatigue.co.uk |