Magnetic Resonance Analysis of Neural Inflammatory Factors and External Stimulation for Long COVID
This study is looking into whether a type of brain stimulation called accelerated intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) can help people with Long COVID who experience symptoms like brain fog, depression, and anxiety. iTBS is a non-invasive (doesn't involve surgery) treatment that uses magnetic fields. Researchers want to see if iTBS can reduce these symptoms and if it changes certain inflammatory chemicals in the brain, specifically choline. You might be able to join if you are 18-80 years old, have a documented Long COVID diagnosis with ongoing symptoms including brain fog, and are fluent in English. The study aims to enroll 60 participants.
- Study design
- This is a randomized, sham-controlled trial, meaning some participants will receive the active iTBS and others a placebo (sham) treatment. There will be 60 participants in total.
- What's involved
- Participants will receive iTBS treatment 5 times a day for 10 days, totaling 25 blinded sessions followed by 25 open-label sessions. Symptoms, mood, anxiety, cognition, and quality of life will be assessed from the start of the study to the end of treatment.
- Compensation
- Not stated in the trial record.
- Follow-up
- The primary goals of the study are measured from the start of the study to the end of treatment at 2 weeks.
AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.
Magnetic Resonance Analysis of Neural Inflammatory Factors and External Stimulation
At a glance
Conditions
NCT06940609
Where you'd take part
This study runs at 1 site. They're the same protocol — you choose where, and that choice sets who your contact draft is addressed to.
University of New Mexico Health Science Center
Albuquerque, New Mexicostudy coordinator listed
Recruiting
Sites open and close at different times, so the status above is per site — it can differ from the study's overall status.
Study leadership
- Davin Quinn, MD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · University of New Mexico
Who to contact
Opens a ready-to-send draft in your own email app — review before sending.
What this trial measures
- Aim 1From baseline to end of treatment at 2 weeks
Demonstrate that accelerated iTBS is effective and feasible for reducing neuro-PASC symptoms. Change in the score in the "Cognitive Function/Brain Fog Symptoms" score from the PACS: Post-acute COVID-19 Syndrome Questionnaire, where low scores are more severe symptoms compared to higher scores. Scale 1-Severly Unable to 4-Able. Higher scores show improvement in symptoms.
- Aim 2From baseline to end of treatment at 2 weeks
Identify neurometabolic and structural features associated with outcomes in MANIFEST. ADCcho in the thalamus measured using dMRS. The apparent diffusion coefficient of choline (ADCcho) is a measure of activity of microglia, higher values indicate higher levels of microglia. Decreased ADCcho means less microglia activation, and less inflammation.