There are striking parallels between the two syndromes – and scientists hope the link could help to unravel the mysteries of both.
Midway through 2023, the neurologist Ioannis Mavroudis was working his way through the latest backlog of cases when he was struck by a revelation.
"I work with athletes, and I’ve seen many professional rugby players with this," says Mavroudis. "Like Long Covid, some end up suffering with it for many years." But for Herbert Renz-Polster, a researcher at the University of Heidelberg, who has spent many years trying to understand a parallel disease, Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, also known as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome , this connection came as no surprise."A very significant portion of ME/CFS patients have abnormalities in how the head is supported," says Renz-Polster.
In recent years, research has also revealed that the brainstem is particularly vulnerable to various neurotropic viruses, ones capable of accessing the brain. Studies have shown that thehave even found the virus' RNA and proteins in this part of the brain. It is also thought to be particularly sensitive to damage from the excessive immune activation which can be triggered by infections.
Renz-Polster is particularly intrigued by the potential of psychedelic drugs such as ibogaine, psilocybin and ketamine, which modulate the default mode network, a group of brain regions including the brainstem.
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