Neurostimulation for COVID Brain Symptoms - Study Begins
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Featured MUSC News Article: Link Here
Dr. Badran News Interview Discussing Study: Link Here
Overview:
New studies show that COVID can affect patients during two distinct phases of the disease process: the acute stage, characterized by fever, heart or lung problems, and the post-COVID phase, in which neuropsychiatric symptoms, like fatigue, anxiety and depression, can occur.
NeuroCOVID, as the second phase is called, is characterized by one or a combination of symptoms like vertigo, loss of smell, headaches, fatigue and irritability as well as anxiety and depression. One in five COVID patients will develop these symptoms – a much higher rate than in patients with the flu or a lung infection.
This finding drew the attention of Mark George, M.D., a world expert in brain stimulation and depression and professor of psychiatry, radiology and neuroscience; Bashar Badran, Ph.D., a leading researcher in the field of vagus nerve stimulation therapy and assistant professor in the College of Medicine; and Steve Kautz, Ph.D., professor and director of the Center of Biomedical Research Excellence in Stroke Recovery (COBRE).
The trio of researchers works closely together with the National Center for Neuromodulation for Rehabilitation Research and the stroke recovery COBRE, both housed at the MUSC College of Health Professions, studying brain stimulation.
George, Badran, and Kautz received funding from the National Institutes of Health-funded Delaware Clinical and Translational Research Program to address neuroCOVID symptoms in patients. Their study, set to begin in late November, will use a revolutionary noninvasive technique to stimulate the vagus nerve and reduce inflammation in 20 participants who report having neuroCOVID symptoms.
By reducing inflammation, which is known to cause a host of problems in the body, the team hopes some or all of the symptoms that participants are experiencing will subside.