People with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) and Long COVID experience a disruption to their brain connectivity during a mentally demanding task.

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The new Griffith University research, published in Journal of Translational Medicine, used ultra-high field MRI technology to investigate the significant reduction in brain connectivity in specific parts of the brain.

Professor Sonya Marshall-Gradisnik from Griffith’s National Centre for Neuroimmunology and Emerging Diseases said there were common symptoms experienced by people with ME/CFS or Long COVID with this study focusing on neurological features.

“The symptoms include cognitive difficulties, such as memory problems, difficulties with attention and concentration, and slowed thinking,” Professor Marshall-Gradisnik said.

Cognitive test

Lead author and PhD candidate Maira Inderyas said the study saw participants undertake a cognitive test while inside the MRI machine to gauge their brain activity.

“The task, called a Stroop task, was displayed to the participants on a screen during the scan, and required participants to ignore conflicting information and focus on the correct response, which places high demands on the brain’s executive function and inhibitory control,” Ms Inderyas said.

“The set up allowed us to precisely measure which areas of the brain were activated while the patient was performing a mentally demanding task.

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Source: Griffith University

Altered brain connection found in people with ME/CFS and Long COVID

“The scans show changes in the brain regions which may contribute to cognitive difficulties such as memory problems, difficulty concentrating, and slower thinking.”

Neurological impacts

The research supported what many people with ME/CFS and Long COVID experience which was that cognitive effort was not just tiring but could have real neurological impacts, and adequate rest was not optional but essential.

READ MORE: COVID-19 leaves a lasting mark on the human brain

READ MORE: Gut microbiome may predict “invisible” chronic fatigue syndrome and long COVID

The ultra-high field MRI used in the study was one of only two available in Australia.

The research was funded by ME Research UK and the Stafford Fox Medical Research Foundation.

The paper ‘Distinct functional connectivity patterns in myalgic encephalomyelitis and Long COVID patients during cognitive fatigue: a 7 Tesla task-fMRI study’ has been published in the Journal of Translational Medicine.

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