Long COVID clinical trials in Nashville

The term post-acute COVID-19 syndrome or Long COVID is a disabling syndrome that persists beyond the 3-month convalescence period after COVID-19 infections. This syndrome affects mostly women (\~80%), present with chronic tachycardia and Orthostatic intolerance symptoms without any identifiable cause. In addition, non-specific symptoms such as fatigue, headache, and "brain fog", commonly described in POTS patients are also present in this novel condition, recently named post-COVID-19 tachycardia syndrome, POTS variant. Reduced Vagal activity and unresolved inflammation is post-COVID-19 POTS is hypothesized as the cause of Long COVID

Long COVID is defined by a range of symptoms affecting multiple organs that persist for more than three months following an acute SARS-CoV-2 infection. Approximately 7% of individuals who recover from SARS-Cov-2 infection develop Long COVID. Long COVID Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (LCPOTS) symptoms include fatigue, exercise intolerance, orthostatic intolerance, syncope, and heightened orthostatic tachycardia. Research has found that decreased parasympathetic activity in LCPOTS increases the production of highly immunogenic neoantigens Isolevuglandins (IsoLG-adducts). IsoLG-adducts induce formation of circulating monocyte/T cell complexes(doublets) leading to the persistent and unresolved immune response that continues after the initial infection. The purpose of the this research, is to study the effects of 2-hydroxybenzylamine (2-HOBA), an Iso-LG-adduct scavenger, its effects in immune markers and compare it with Placebo

Parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) is part of the body's autonomic nervous system(PNS) protects body against inflammation. Study shows that reduced PNS function activity is associated with persistent inflammation. Preliminary data from the studies shows, that post-COVID-19 POTS patients have reduced parasympathetic (PNS) function. Given that the PNS protects against inflammation, this clinical trial aims to prove that post-COVID-19 POTS is caused by reduced PNS activity, which in turn, contributes to persistent inflammation, orthostatic intolerance, and OI symptoms. The study will evaluate immune cell activation in post-COVID-19 POTS and patients with history of COVID-19 infection without sequelae and correlate this with the degree of decreased PNS activity.

The overarching goal of this study is to determine if baricitinib, as compared to placebo, will improve neurocognitive function, along with measures of physical function, quality of life, post-exertional malaise, effect of breathlessness on daily activities, post-COVID-19 symptom burden, and biomarkers of inflammation and viral measures, in participants with Long COVID.