Investigating how immune responses affect neurological issues in veterans after COVID-19
Official title: Immune-mediated pathogenic mechanisms of Neuro-PASC in Veterans
Funded at Portland VA Medical Center · NIH-11075830 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the immune system might cause brain and mood issues in veterans who have had long-lasting effects from COVID-19, and it aims to find clues in their blood that could help explain why some people feel worse than others.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Portland VA Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Portland, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| NIH project number | 5I01CX002668-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11075830 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are veterans who have experienced COVID-19 and are currently facing neurological symptoms such as cognitive impairment, anxiety, or depression.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not had COVID-19 or do not exhibit neurological symptoms related to the infection may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding the immune-mediated mechanisms that lead to neurological problems in veterans who have experienced post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (neuro-PASC). The team will explore how specific inflammatory factors, signaling pathways, and genetic predispositions contribute to symptoms such as cognitive difficulties, depression, and anxiety. By analyzing blood samples and patient histories, they aim to identify biomarkers that correlate with the severity of these neuropsychiatric symptoms. This comprehensive approach seeks to uncover the underlying biological processes that persist after COVID-19 infection.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to targeted therapies that alleviate neurological symptoms in veterans suffering from long-term effects of COVID-19.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has indicated a link between inflammatory responses and neuropsychiatric symptoms in COVID-19 patients, suggesting that this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
Portland VA Medical Center
Portland, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Loftis, Jennifer M — Portland VA Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Loftis, Jennifer M
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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.