Neural Mechanisms of Fatigue in Post-Acute Sequela of SARS-CoV-2
Motivated Decision-Making and Performance
Hugo W. Moser Research Institute at Kennedy Krieger, Inc.
200 participants
Jul 16, 2025
INTERVENTIONAL
Conditions
Summary
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.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria3
- 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 Criteria17
- 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.
- 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.
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Interventions
Participants will perform a physically demanding task (grip force exertion task) repeatedly to induce physical fatigue.
Locations(1)
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NCT07278388