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Study Reveals Impaired Brain Signals in Long COVID, ME/CFS

2/2/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Research led by Maira Inderyas at Griffith University finds impaired brain communication in Long COVID and myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome during demanding tasks.
Healthy brains strengthen neural connections under fatigue, while patients show disrupted signals between key brain regions.
The study used 7 Tesla MRI technology to identify these differences.
The study finds ME/CFS increases brainstem connectivity and Long COVID alters hippocampus–prefrontal connections, suggesting biological markers.

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Story summary

Research led by Maira Inderyas at Griffith University finds impaired brain communication in Long COVID and myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome during demanding tasks.
Healthy brains strengthen neural connections under fatigue, while patients show disrupted signals between key brain regions.
The study used 7 Tesla MRI technology to identify these differences.
The study finds ME/CFS increases brainstem connectivity and Long COVID alters hippocampus–prefrontal connections, suggesting biological markers.