“Our study demonstrated significantly elevated Glu and NAA levels in long COVID and ME/CFS patients compared to healthy controls with no significant differences between the two patient cohorts, suggesting common underlying pathology. We detected correlations between specific brain neurochemicals and severity measures in both long COVID and ME/CFS patients. An imbalance in the Glu and NAA levels could potentially contribute to the multiple complex symptoms experienced by both patient cohorts. This preliminary study informs further research, potentially guiding the development of therapy to restore the balance of Glu and NAA levels in long COVID and ME/CFS patients.”
By Griffith University, Carly Rosengreen
The National Centre for Neuroimmunology and Emerging Diseases (NCNED) at Griffith University continues to build upon its novel discoveries in long COVID and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, also known as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS).
Researchers at NCNED directly compared brain neurochemical levels in long COVID and ME/CFS patients with healthy controls using MRI.
Discussion
“Our study is the first to directly compare brain neurochemical levels in long COVID, ME/CFS, and healthy controls. We found significantly elevated Glu and NAA levels in long COVID and ME/CFS patients and a remarkably similar neurochemical signature. This intriguing observation strengthens the growing body of evidence for overlap in the underlying pathology of long COVID and ME/CFS.
“We found significant associations between brain neurochemicals and several severity measures, including ‘physical function’, ‘cognitive impairment’, ‘unrefreshing sleep’, ‘pain’, and ‘duration’ of illness. These findings suggest that the severity of key long COVID and ME/CFS symptoms is linked to brain neurochemical levels…
“Glu is an essential excitatory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system supporting neuroplasticity, cognition, learning, and mood. Either excessive or insufficient levels can lead to excitotoxicity. Elevated Glu levels in long COVID and ME/CFS patients may be attributed to proinflammatory cytokines and activation of glial cells…
“We also found significantly higher NAA levels in long COVID patients. This may be a compensatory response to lower brain metabolic efficiency, with increased utilisation of glucose and oxygen leading to elevated NAA levels. Osmotic stress triggered by COVID-19 symptoms or related to viral infection and cognitive impairment can also contribute to increased NAA levels…”
- ‘Imbalanced Brain Neurochemicals in long COVID and ME/CFS: A Preliminary Study using MRI’ has been published in the American Journal of Medicine.
Further information
ME Research UK: Increased brain neurochemical levels in ME/CFS and Long Covid | 19th April 2024