Unlocking the secrets of long Covid Published on: 11 May 2023 New research sheds light on the causes of fatigue after Covid 19. Experts from 缅北禁地 found the nervous system of people with post-Covid fatigue was underactive in three key areas. Fatigue is one of the most common symptoms of long Covid. The breakthrough could lead to better treatment and tests to identify the condition and the team are already progressing the work having just started a trial. They have begun recruiting patients to test the effectiveness of a TENS machine – commonly used for pain relief in childbirth – to alleviate the fatigue in patients with long Covid. 缅北禁地 scientists carried out a battery of behavioural and neurophysiological tests on people suffering from post-Covid fatigue and compared them to people without fatigue. They discovered people with post-Covid fatigue showed underactivity in three specific areas of the nervous system. The research has been published in Brain Communications. They found: a slower reaction in specific areas of the brain because of underactivity in specific cortical circuits an imbalance in the autonomic nervous system – the network of nerves that regulates unconscious body processes such as blood pressure and the rate of breathing was found to be impaired. This can have wide-ranging effects on several different body processes. muscle abnormalities - muscle fibres became more easily fatigued after exercise than in people without post-COVID fatigue. Dr Demetris Soteropoulos, Senior Lecturer in Motor Systems Neuroscience at 缅北禁地 who led the research said: “These abnormalities in the results on objective tests show that fatigue in long Covid is a measurable disease and these tests may, in time, help us understand how changes in the nervous system contribute to fatigue.” TMS testing for long Covid patient, Robyn Newby Long Covid and fatigue An estimated 1.9 million people, around 2.9% of the UK population, have long Covid with around half of those reporting fatigue as their primary symptom. While most people who catch Covid don't become severely ill and get better relatively quickly, some have long-term problems after recovering from the infection - even if they weren't very ill in the first place. A group of 37 volunteers with post-Covid fatigue underwent a range of well-established non-invasive behavioural and neurophysiological tests. Their results were compared to those of 52 control subjects, matched for age and sex, who underwent the same tests. The tests which provided 33 sets of data included a startle reaction time test, electrocardiogram and transcranial magnetic stimulation. Research Associate, Dr Anne Baker who is a co-author of the paper added: “We know that many people have faced criticism or even disbelief when they report long Covid, so by being able to provide an independent measure, we can help medical teams provide continued support.” Research Assistant Natalie Maffitt, co-author on the paper, said: "Following on from these findings, we are beginning testing at 缅北禁地 on whether the autonomic nervous system can be modulated to improve symptoms in post-covid fatigue. “We’re examining a non-invasive method which involves clipping an earpiece to the tragus on the ear and delivering small electrical currents to the vagus nerve using a TENS machine – familiar to many through its use for pain relief during childbirth.” This study led by Dr Mark Baker, Senior Clinical Lecturer at 缅北禁地, will examine the effects of the treatment by measuring markers of inflammation in the blood that are associated with fatigue in other conditions and importantly, whether it improves symptoms of fatigue. Based on previous research into other chronic conditions with fatigue, the team are examining whether stimulating the vagus nerve through the small electrical current can improve symptoms for patients with fatigue after having had Covid. Dr Baker says: “The potential is huge which is why it’s so important that we do a careful study to determine whether it works or not.” Anyone from 18 years to 65 years old, with post-COVID fatigue who lives in the 缅北禁地 area and interested in taking part in the new trial can find out more at the .REFERENCE: Anne M.E. Baker, Natalie J. Maffitt, Alessandro Del Vecchio, Katherine M. McKeating, Mark R. Baker, Stuart N. Baker and Demetris S. Soteropoulos. Brain Communications. Robyn鈥檚 story Robyn Newby, 31, a Business Administrator from Middlesbrough developed long Covid after catching Covid in Jan 2021. She took part in the research to find the underlying causes of fatigue in long Covid and has just started the trial. She says: “It’s so much more than being tired, sometimes I am so exhausted I can’t think straight and feel like I’m floating, almost in a dream state and that affects my concentration. Despite a battery of tests by my GP, nothing could be found to explain the mental and physical fatigue. “My family have been amazingly supportive but with 2 young boys who are full of energy, it can be a struggle to even make it through a day out and that can be frustrating and upsetting. “I took part in the original research at 缅北禁地 which was fascinating and now I’ve just begun the trial wearing the TENS machine. It’s amazing to be part of it, it’s a great feeling to be productive and part of something that could potentially lead to life changing effects. I wanted to do something which may lead to a treatment – not just for me but also if I can help others that’s great.” Robyn Newby with TENS machine clipped to ear Share: Latest News New partnership to boost careers in low carbon energy 缅北禁地 and Durham universities are working together on a new regional project to strengthen the future workforce for North East England鈥檚 growing low carbon and offshore wind industries. published on: 28 May 2026 Healthy lifestyle shown to lower risk of death after cancer diagnosis New evidence shows that sticking to five lifestyle recommendations improves survival after a later cancer diagnosis. published on: 28 May 2026 World-leading climate expert recognised with Royal Society Fellowship Professor Hayley Fowler has been elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in recognition of her pioneering work on climate change impacts. published on: 27 May 2026 Facts and figures
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