What causes fatigue in long COVID and in healthy people
Official title: Neurobiological Mechanisms of Fatigue in Health and after COVID-19
Funded at University of Florida · NIH-11134652 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at how the brain and muscles create different kinds of fatigue in people with long COVID and in people without COVID.
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 | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $249,000 |
| NIH project number | 4R00NS133961-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11134652 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with a history of COVID-19 who continue to experience significant, persistent fatigue (PASC) are the primary candidates, with healthy volunteers enrolled for comparison.
✕Less likely to help
People whose fatigue is due to causes not addressed in this project (for example isolated sleep disorders, metabolic causes, or those unable to perform the in-person effort tasks) may not get direct benefit.
What this research studies
The team uses a new "fatigue paradigm" to measure three parts of fatigue: feeling of weariness, the sense of effort after exertion, and willingness to do effortful tasks, in both healthy volunteers and people with post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC). They combine neuromuscular tests, decision-making tasks from neuroeconomics, and computational modeling to produce objective, quantitative measures rather than relying only on self-report. The K99 phase experiments will be run through Dr. Vikram Chib's Neuroeconomic Laboratory at the Kennedy Krieger Institute/Johns Hopkins, led by a University of Florida investigator. The aim is to identify distinct brain and body signatures for each fatigue feature that could explain why fatigue varies across individuals and illnesses.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could enable clearer tests to classify types of fatigue and point to more targeted treatments for long COVID and other chronic conditions.
How similar studies have gone: Some prior studies have linked brain and muscle signals to fatigue, but combining neuromuscular, neuroeconomic, and computational approaches to separate multiple fatigue features is a novel and still experimental approach.
Where this research is happening
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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.
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Understanding fatigue in COVID-19 and beyond
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.
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Improving fatigue and muscle function in older adults recovering from COVID-19 through diet.
This study is looking at how a healthy diet full of anti-inflammatory foods can help older adults who are dealing with lingering symptoms after COVID-19, like tiredness and muscle weakness, to feel better and regain their strength over 16 weeks.
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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.
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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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Structural factors linking minimum wage, COVID-19, and community violence
A long-term study will explore whether higher minimum wages and pandemic-related economic factors are connected to changes in violence in US communities.
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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.