How pandemics reshape our brain: Common links and targets between long-haul COVID-19, myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), oxidative stress, and neurodegeneration.

Abstract

Fatiguing syndromes affect millions of patients in the United States and globally, but are grossly underserved in the clinic and in the contemplative design of basic research.Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a complex multisystem metabolic-immune-inflammatory disorder. Although research on this condition is in its infancy, it appears to involve the immune system and central nervous system malfunction, with cellular oxidative stress as a predominant feature.Approximately half of the cases of long-haul coronavirus disease 2019 meet the diagnostic criteria for ME/CFS, burgeoning the number of affected individuals.Recent strides in neurobiology have yet to transfer the understanding of the neurodegenerative aspects, and potential for neuroprotection, of ME/CFS.ME/CFS may represent a useful paradigm and research model for the study of the impact of sustained oxidative stress on the central nervous system and the body at large.