In the News

12 January, 2024

Tryp Therapeutics Explores Psilocybin's Potential In New Trials To Treat IBS And Fibromyalgia

ZINGER KEY POINTS:

• First Phase 1 study on IV-infused psilocin TRP-8803 received Australian regulatory approval.
• Two Phase 2 studies will determine the precursor's potential in treating fibromyalgia and irritable bowel syndrome.

12 January, 2024

The Patient Journey Of Fibromyalgia In Latin America

To explore the patient journey of people with fibromyalgia (FM) in Latin American countries in order to identify problems in health care and other areas that may be resolvable.

11 January, 2024

Long Covid: Sheffield Woman Housebound For A Year

A Sheffield woman with long Covid has not left her house in a year since first contracting the virus. Fran Haddock, 33, said she had been forced to leave her job as a veterinary surgeon because she was constantly "utterly exhausted". She caught coronavirus in November 2022 and it developed into severe chronic fatigue syndrome.

11 January, 2024

A New Study Helps Explain Muscular Symptoms Of Long Covid

A new research publication in the respected journal Nature Communications (Appelman et al., "Muscle abnormalities worsen after postexertional malaise in long COVID", Nature Communications 15, Article number: 17 (2024)) describes an in-depth set of clinical studies that helps to explain a major long-term effect of COVID19 infection: Persistent muscular weakness, intolerance to exercise, and post-exercise malaise (tiredness and lack of energy). This study not only explains in granular detail the physiological changes many Long Covid sufferers experience, but also validates those sufferers’ experience, as many medical personnel — as well as friends and family — may not understand that what Long Covid sufferers are experiencing is real. The study was recognized by the FDA, and assigned Study Number NCT05225688. The study is observational, so no causality was determined, but what the researchers observed was very interesting and informative.

11 January, 2024

Unraveling The Role Of Mitochondrial Dysfunction In Long Covid: New Insights And Implications

As the world continues to grapple with the Covid-19 pandemic, another concern is emerging – Long Covid. This is a condition where Covid-19 patients continue to experience symptoms or develop new ones months after their recovery from the virus. Recent studies are shedding light on this condition, with a particular focus on mitochondrial dysfunction and its role in the persistent fatigue experienced by Long Covid patients.

10 January, 2024

A Discovery In The Muscles Of Long COVID Patients May Explain Exercise Troubles

Hit the gym. Get back in shape. That's what many patients with long COVID are told when they talk of the crushing fatigue that envelops them after even a light bout of physical activity. These symptoms of exhaustion, or post-exertional malaise as it's called, are a hallmark of long COVID and similar complex illnesses like chronic fatigue syndrome or ME/CFS. The idea that exercise can help patients has proven difficult to shake — despite evidence suggesting this isn't merely a case of deconditioning that patients can overcome by pushing through the pain. "I don't think the messaging has been strong enough," says David Putrino, the director of rehabilitation innovation for Mount Sinai Health System. "It is very clear that this is not a typical response to exercise." Now research published this month in Nature Communications gives new weight to this assessment.

10 January, 2024

Post-Exertional Malaise And Symptom Exacerbation: The High Price Of Physical Exertion In Long Covid, ME/CFS

Physical exertion can have a significant impact on individuals with Post-Exertional Malaise (PEM) and Post-Exertional Symptom Exacerbation (PESE). These conditions are often seen in individuals with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS), and Long Covid. The complexities of these conditions, as highlighted by well-known science journalist Ed Yong, underline the need for a greater understanding and support for those affected. This article explores the intersection of physical exertion and chronic health conditions, urging increased awareness and research in this area.

10 January, 2024

Long Covid Patients Have Muscle Damage, Research Finds

Changes in the muscle cells of people battling Long Covid have been found to cause extreme tiredness after bouts of exercise, new research suggests.

09 January, 2024

Characteristics Of Self-Regulation Of The Epidemic Process Of Infection Caused By The Epstein-Barr Virus (Herpesviridae: , HHV-4).

Among the available scientific literature, there are no publications addressing processes of self-regulation in the parasite-host population systems with reference to chronic infections, including the infection caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV infection). The aim of the study is to assess manifestations of the epidemic process of chronic EBV infection through the lens of the basic tenets of the theory of self-regulation of parasitic systems.

09 January, 2024

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Is Safe And Reduces Chronic Fatigue In Patients With Stable Systemic Lupus Erythematosus And Rheumatoid Arthritis

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case series to assess a combined technique of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS - a non-pharmacological and non-invasive brain stimulation) and aerobic exercise in one patient with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and another with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and significant chronic fatigue. We conducted five sessions of tDCS combined with low-intensity treadmill exercise. Fatigue levels were assessed using the Fatigue Severity Scale and the Visual Analog Scale for fatigue before (pre), immediately after five tDCS sessions (post-zero), and after six months (post-6-mo). The level of fatigue decreased, and functionality improved significantly post-zero and remained sustainable post-6-mo in both SLE and RA cases. There was only one mild and transient side effect (headache) specifically in the patient with RA, and no disease reactivation occurred in any of the cases. Our data showed that tDCS combined with aerobic exercise appears to be safe and promising for reducing fatigue and improving functionality in patients with SLE and RA. Randomized studies with larger sample sizes are required to corroborate our findings.