Brain Stimulation for Long COVID
(MANIFEST Trial)
Trial Summary
Will I have to stop taking my current medications?
The trial does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications. However, if you are on psychotropic medications (drugs that affect your mood or mind), you must have been on a stable dose for the past month to participate.
What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Accelerated Intermittent Theta Burst Stimulation for Long COVID?
A case report showed that a 30-year-old woman with anxiety, depression, insomnia, and mild cognitive impairment after COVID-19 improved significantly after receiving accelerated theta-burst stimulation over the prefrontal cortex. This suggests the treatment might help with similar symptoms in Long COVID.12345
Is theta burst stimulation safe for humans?
How does the treatment Accelerated Intermittent Theta Burst Stimulation differ from other treatments for Long COVID?
Accelerated Intermittent Theta Burst Stimulation (iTBS) is unique because it uses magnetic pulses to stimulate specific areas of the brain, potentially improving neuropsychiatric symptoms like anxiety and depression associated with Long COVID. Unlike traditional treatments, it is non-invasive and focuses on altering brain activity directly, which may offer benefits for symptoms that are not well-managed by standard medications.12369
What is the purpose of this trial?
The goal of this clinical trial is to test whether a type of rapid outpatient brain stimulation that uses magnetic fields, called accelerated intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS), can treat symptoms such as brain fog, depression, and anxiety in patients with Long COVID. The main questions it aims to answer are:* Is iTBS effective and feasible for reducing Long COVID symptoms? We will measure these symptoms using the Symptom Burden Questionnaire.* Are there changes in inflammatory brain chemicals associated with treatment with iTBS? We will be looking at levels of choline in the brain, which is thought to be related to inflammation.Researchers will compare sham versus active forms of iTBS to see if the active group has greater improvement in symptoms.Participants will complete symptom surveys, cognitive tests, and magnetic resonance imaging scans at the beginning, middle, and end of treatment.
Research Team
Davin Quinn, MD
Principal Investigator
University of New Mexico
Eligibility Criteria
This trial is for individuals experiencing Long COVID symptoms like brain fog, depression, and anxiety. Participants should be able to complete surveys, cognitive tests, and MRI scans. Specific inclusion or exclusion criteria are not provided.Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
Timeline
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Treatment
Participants receive accelerated iTBS or sham stimulation for 10 days, with 5 sessions per day
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment
Treatment Details
Interventions
- Accelerated Intermittent Theta Burst Stimulation
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
University of New Mexico
Lead Sponsor
The Mind Research Network
Collaborator
United States Department of Defense
Collaborator