Magnetic resonance and rapid brain stimulation for Long COVID cognitive and mood symptoms

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This is a randomized, sham-controlled Phase 2 trial delivering accelerated intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) to individualized brain targets in people with neuro-PASC. Participants receive multiple daily outpatient iTBS sessions over a course of treatment with a blinded phase followed by open-label sessions. Symptom surveys, cognitive tests, and MRI scans (including measures of brain choline as a marker of inflammation) are collected at baseline, mid-treatment, and end-of-treatment. Investigators will compare symptom change between active and sham groups and correlate clinical improvements with imaging measures.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

1. aged 18-80
2. a documented diagnosis of PASC with evidence of ongoing symptoms as demonstrated by score of 12 on the NIH RECOVER Symptom List
3. have "brain fog" or cognitive difficulties as one of the ongoing symptoms
4. are fluent in English
5. if taking psychotropic medications, have been on stable doses for the past month.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. a prior history of other neurological disease, or any history of seizures, so as to reduce risk of exacerbation of epilepsy or other neurological symptoms;
2. history of a psychotic disorder, such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, so as to reduce risk of psychiatric decompensation
3. history of ongoing substance/alcohol dependence, to reduce confounding effects on diagnosis and brain imaging
4. presence of any implanted electrical device (e.g., pacemaker), to reduce risk of device malfunction from rTMS
5. recent medical hospitalization (within four weeks), to reduce risk of medical decompensation during the study
6. any condition that would prevent the subject from completing the protocol
7. appointment of a legal representative, to avoid coercion of a vulnerable population
8. any ongoing litigation related to medical diagnosis, or disability, to prevent interference with legal proceedings
9. any contraindication to MRI
10. membership in an identified vulnerable population, including minors, pregnant women, and prisoners, so as to prevent coercion.

Where it's running

• University of New Mexico Health Science Center
  Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Davin Quinn, MD — University of New Mexico
• Study coordinator: Crystal Garcia
• Email: crabaca@salud.unm.edu
• Phone: 505-272-9552

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.