Understanding fatigue in people recovering from COVID-19
Official title: Neural Mechanisms of Fatigue in Post-Acute Sequela of SARS-CoV-2
Funded at Hugo W. Moser Res Inst Kennedy Krieger · NIH-11023203 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how COVID-19 might affect your nervous system and cause ongoing fatigue after recovery, and it's for anyone who has been feeling unusually tired after their COVID-19 illness.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Hugo W. Moser Res Inst Kennedy Krieger NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2025 |
| Project end | December 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $654,367 |
| NIH project number | 1R01NS140610-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11023203 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who have experienced COVID-19 and are suffering from persistent fatigue or other neurological symptoms.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not had COVID-19 or do not experience fatigue as a symptom may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how COVID-19 affects the nervous system, particularly focusing on the persistent fatigue experienced by some individuals after recovery, known as Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 Infection (PASC). The study aims to explore the relationship between blood-brain barrier (BBB) dysfunction and feelings of fatigue through a combination of human participant experiments, neuroimaging, and computational modeling. By examining how COVID-19 may alter brain function and effort perception, the research seeks to uncover the underlying neural mechanisms contributing to fatigue in these patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better understanding and treatment options for fatigue in individuals recovering from COVID-19.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific relationship between BBB dysfunction and fatigue in PASC is novel, related research has shown that neuroinflammation plays a significant role in fatigue in other neurological disorders.
Where this research is happening
-
Hugo W. Moser Res Inst Kennedy Krieger
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chib, Vikram S — Hugo W. Moser Res Inst Kennedy Krieger
- Study coordinator: Chib, Vikram S
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Why Long COVID makes people feel physically tired
This project looks at whether people with Long COVID have leakier blood vessels in the brain that make physical effort feel harder.
-
Understanding fatigue in veterans after COVID-19 infection
This study is looking at how veterans feel tired and worn out after having COVID-19, and it’s exploring whether doing exercise at home can help them feel better both physically and mentally.
-
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.
-
How COVID-19 infection and genes may influence memory and dementia risk
This study looks at how getting COVID-19 and a person’s genes together affect the chance of developing memory problems and Alzheimer’s disease later in life.
-
DESCANSO: A friendly CBT plan to ease depression, sleep problems, and fatigue in Latino cancer patients
A Spanish-speaking CBT program called DESCANSO is being tested to help Latino cancer patients feel less tired, sleep better, and happier.
-
Understanding flu and COVID-19 vaccine responses in people and in the lab
Researchers at Stanford explore how flu and COVID-19 vaccines work in people and in lab tests to improve protection for adults.
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.