It’s now well-documented that myalgic encephalomyelitis, or chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), arises most often from a viral infection. Symptoms of ME/CFS manifest in the brain: neuroinflammation, disrupted homeostasis, mental fog, poor sleep, and poor stress reaction. Long COVID appears to produce the same symptoms in many people, and it’s believed that inflammation in the brain is also at the root. How these symptoms develop from the virus remains unclear, however, and is the subject of a new theory.*

Brain-body connection

Led by Emeritus Professor Warren Tate, Ph.D. of Otago University, a research team from New Zealand and Australia has devised a model that explains how the brain-body connection can cause and perpetuate post-viral diseases. 

In ME/CFS, viruses and other highly stressful events trigger an inflammatory immune response throughout the body that is irregular and ongoing, leading patients to experience periods of recovery and relapse. 

The researchers’ theory is that, after the initial event, affected cells migrate to the brain through either nerve and blood vessel pathways or a defective blood-brain barrier. This causes chronic neuroinflammation and persistent disease, with ongoing recovery-relapse cycles.

Patients relapse and continue to suffer, the researchers propose, likely because of a unique signal that cycles back and forth between the brain and the body.

Post-viral syndromes physically-based

Tate writes that “there should no longer be any debate and doubt about the fact that post viral fatigue syndromes like ME/CFS are biologically based, and involve much disturbed physiology.” ME/CFS and Long COVID are “very closely related,” and it’s clear that Long COVID stems from the original infection, he says.

The team’s work highlights a group of people who are vulnerable to such syndromes after a severe stress, like COVID-19. Instead of a temporary immune response to clear the infection and promote immunity, the physical fallout becomes a chronic situation.

Important implications

The team says the model is important for guiding researchers along the long research road that lies ahead. It will allow scientists to generate the best evidence-based knowledge of these post-viral illnesses, as well as the best treatment methods for clinicians. 

It’s also important for acknowledging sufferers of ME/CFS and Long COVID. “Patients need appropriate affirmation of their biological-based illness,” Tate says, “and help to mitigate the distressing symptoms of these…life-changing syndromes which are difficult for the patients to manage by themselves.”

*University of Otago. (2022, July 13). New research provides insight into long COVID and ME. MDLinx. https://www.mdlinx.com/news/new-research-provides-insight-into-long-covid-and-me/2KyWAWufPWS18CAdqJQgdt