Investigating long-term symptoms of Lyme disease after treatment
Official title: A Prospective Study of Persistent Symptoms of Lyme Disease
Funded at Tufts University Boston · NIH-10862287 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at why some people still feel unwell after being treated for Lyme disease, and it's for anyone who has had Lyme disease and wants to help researchers find better ways to understand and treat these lingering symptoms.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Tufts University Boston NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | September 5, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $3,019,293 |
| NIH project number | 1P01AI181934-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10862287 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with acute Lyme disease who are willing to participate in long-term follow-up.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not been diagnosed with Lyme disease or those who do not experience persistent symptoms after treatment may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome (PTLDS) by enrolling patients diagnosed with acute Lyme disease and following them over time. The study aims to explore the multifactorial causes of PTLDS, including immune responses and bacterial characteristics, through a collaborative approach involving various specialists. By collecting data from patients throughout their recovery process, the researchers hope to gain insights that could lead to better diagnostic and treatment options for those affected by PTLDS.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and management of persistent Lyme disease symptoms, ultimately enhancing patient care.
How similar studies have gone: While there have been previous studies on Lyme disease, this approach of prospective follow-up from acute diagnosis is novel and aims to fill gaps left by earlier research.
Where this research is happening
-
Tufts University Boston
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hu, Linden T — Tufts University Boston
- Study coordinator: Hu, Linden T
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Understanding why some people have ongoing symptoms after Lyme disease
A long-term study follows people diagnosed with acute Lyme disease to see who develops persistent symptoms and why, with care from a team of Lyme experts.
-
CSF Protein Map in Post-Treatment Lyme Disease
A short study to map proteins in spinal fluid of people who had Lyme disease and still feel sick after standard treatment, to understand what’s going on.
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Lyme disease vaccine research aimed at preventing infection
Researchers are developing a Lyme disease vaccine by studying how the immune system responds to Borrelia burgdorferi and testing vaccine approaches to prevent illness.
-
Lyme disease brain health: tracking brain signals and blood clues after treatment
This study follows people with early Lyme disease and compares them to healthy volunteers to see how the brain and blood markers change over a year after starting antibiotics.
-
Lyme disease symptoms lingering after treatment may be driven by special bacterial fragments
A human-friendly look at a study exploring why some Lyme patients keep symptoms after antibiotics and whether tiny fragments from the bacteria are to blame.
-
Understanding Lyme disease immune signals to predict recovery after antibiotics
A research project at MIT aims to find immune biomarkers that tell which Lyme patients will recover after standard antibiotics and who might have lasting symptoms.
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.