Is Long COVID a subtype of chronic fatigue syndrome?
Long COVID as a putative subtype of chronic fatigue syndrome
This project looks at whether people with Long COVID share the same genetic and immune signs as people with chronic fatigue syndrome by analyzing large collections of patient data.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11381943 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will combine genetic and clinical data from multiple biobanks and a Long COVID genetics working group to compare people with Long COVID and those with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). They will analyze genetic risk factors and medical comorbidities across dozens of cohorts totaling over a million people and perform a meta-analysis of CFS in three large biobanks. The team will also examine immune molecules from patient samples to search for shared biological signatures. The overall aim is to determine if Long COVID represents a subtype of CFS and to identify risk markers that explain who develops long-term symptoms.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with ongoing Long COVID symptoms or a diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome, and those who had prior COVID-19 infection, would be the most relevant participants for related data or sample contributions.
Not a fit: People without a history of COVID-19 infection or without chronic fatigue symptoms are unlikely to receive direct benefits from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify biological markers and risk factors that improve diagnosis and point toward more targeted treatments for people with Long COVID and CFS.
How similar studies have performed: Earlier genetic and immune studies have suggested overlaps but have been smaller or inconsistent, so this large-scale, multi-cohort analysis aims to provide clearer evidence.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Massachusetts General Hospital — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Saxena, Richa — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Saxena, Richa
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 below.