Recent research indicates that individuals with long Covid who experience fatigue show reduced activity in three areas of their nervous system: specific cortical circuits, the autonomic nervous system, and muscle abnormalities.
Specific cortical circuits display reduced activity, resulting in delayed responses in particular regions of the brain, while an imbalance in the autonomic nervous system affects involuntary bodily functions such as blood pressure and breathing rate, potentially leading to numerous effects on various body processes.
Furthermore, muscle abnormalities observed in individuals with post-COVID fatigue indicate that their muscle fibers tire more easily following physical activity than those without this condition.
The journal Brain Communications has published research conducted at Newcastle University, UK, which shows that fatigue is a prevalent symptom of long Covid.
Although most individuals who contract Covid recover quickly without severe illness, some continue to experience long-term issues even after their recovery, despite having had only mild symptoms initially.
According to Demetris Soteropoulos, Senior Lecturer at Newcastle University and leader of the research team, the abnormalities observed in objective test results indicate that long Covid fatigue is a measurable condition. These tests could aid in comprehending how nervous system changes contribute to fatigue over time.
A battery of neurophysiological and behavioral tests was performed by the researchers on individuals suffering from post-Covid fatigue, and the results were compared to those of individuals without fatigue.
The study involved 37 volunteers with post-Covid fatigue who underwent non-invasive tests. Their outcomes were then compared to those of 52 control participants who were matched for age and sex and underwent the same set of tests. The battery of 33 tests included transcranial magnetic stimulation, electrocardiogram, and startle reaction time test.
Anne Baker, the co-author of the study and research associate, noted that individuals with long Covid often face criticism or skepticism regarding their symptoms. By offering an objective measure, the research could help medical professionals provide continued support to those affected.
