Brain scans link long COVID fatigue to damage in dopamine-producing neurons

Scientists at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health conducted PET scans on individuals with long COVID and found substantially reduced levels of a marker that reflects dopamine-releasing neuron health throughout the striatum. Lower marker levels in the ventral striatum correlated with loss of motivation, while reductions in the dorsal putamen and caudate putamen were linked to slower movement and memory problems, respectively.

The findings build on earlier work showing heightened brain inflammation in the same regions, indicating that inflammation may damage dopamine neurons. Researchers propose that therapies enhancing dopamine function could alleviate fatigue, low motivation and cognitive issues. A clinical trial in partnership with University Health Network is planned to test dopamine-targeting drugs. The study was funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.