Understanding fatigue in COVID-19 and beyond
Official title: Neurobiological Mechanisms of Fatigue in Health and after COVID-19
Funded at University of Florida · NIH-11400399 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant aims to uncover why fatigue happens in people after COVID-19 and in other conditions, using new brain and body measurements to find clearer targets for treatment.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Florida NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Gainesville, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $249,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R00NS133961-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11400399 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals experiencing fatigue after COVID-19 (PASC) and healthy adults who can participate in brain and behavioral testing.
✕Less likely to help
People with fatigue from non-COVID-19-related conditions not included in the study may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
Fatigue is a major and often disabling symptom that can follow COVID-19. The project will test a novel fatigue framework that combines brain, body, and decision-making measures to separate different aspects of fatigue. It will study people who recovered from COVID-19 and healthy controls to identify neural and behavioral signals associated with weariness, perceived effort, and willingness to expend energy. By comparing groups, the researchers hope to pinpoint mechanisms that could guide future therapies or interventions. The work will be conducted at the Neuroeconomic Laboratory of Johns Hopkins and the University of Florida, leveraging advanced collaborations and computational analysis.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could lead to clearer diagnosis and new treatments for fatigue in PASC and other conditions.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work in fatigue has identified multiple contributing factors, but this project aims to disentangle them with novel methods for clearer targets.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Florida
Gainesville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Casamento Moran, Agostina — University of Florida
- Study coordinator: Casamento Moran, Agostina
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
What causes fatigue in long COVID and in healthy people
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-
Improving fatigue and muscle function in older adults recovering from COVID-19 through diet.
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-
Understanding fatigue in health and after COVID-19
This study is looking at how fatigue affects people recovering from COVID-19, trying to understand what makes them feel tired and how hard they’re willing to work, so we can find better ways to help those who are struggling with this issue.
-
Telehealth exercise program to help rural breast cancer survivors fight fatigue
A telehealth exercise program is being tested to reduce cancer-related fatigue in rural breast cancer survivors.
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A long-term study will explore whether higher minimum wages and pandemic-related economic factors are connected to changes in violence in US communities.
-
COVID-19 healthcare disruptions and heart health inequities in NYC adults with multiple conditions
This project looks at how COVID-19-related gaps in care affected heart health in adults with several chronic conditions in New York City.
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.