Investigating brain fog in COVID-19 survivors
Official title: Glial activation and metabolite contributions to 'brain fog' post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC)
Funded at Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH-10890187 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at the brain fog some people feel after recovering from COVID-19, and it’s for those who want to understand why they might be having trouble with thinking and focus; participants will have brain scans while doing tasks to help researchers learn more about what's happening in their brains.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $208,750 |
| NIH project number | 5R21NS130283-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10890187 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals under 21 years old who have experienced cognitive symptoms after recovering from COVID-19.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not had COVID-19 or do not experience cognitive symptoms related to PASC may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding the cognitive difficulties, often referred to as 'brain fog', experienced by individuals who have recovered from COVID-19. By using advanced neuroimaging techniques, the study aims to measure brain activity and inflammation in specific brain regions during cognitive tasks. Participants will undergo MRI-PET scans while performing tasks designed to assess their cognitive control and attention. The goal is to identify the biological factors contributing to these cognitive symptoms in post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC).
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better understanding and treatment options for cognitive impairments in COVID-19 survivors.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promising results in understanding cognitive symptoms related to inflammation, making this approach both relevant and potentially impactful.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Vanelzakker, Michael B — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Vanelzakker, Michael B
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.