New Study Finds Brain Changes Linked to Long COVID Fatigue

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Key Takeaway

The study found that long-lasting fatigue after COVID-19 is linked to real structural changes in deep brain areas that help with movement, thinking, and sleep.

What They Found

Almost all patients in the study (47 of 50) had moderate to severe fatigue about 7–9 months after COVID-19, showing this is a common long-term problem for some people. Brain scans showed changes in the thalamus and parts of the basal ganglia (deep brain areas that help control movement, attention, and memory) — for example, these areas were smaller or had altered shape. A specific MRI sign called fractional anisotropy, which is a way of measuring how water moves in brain tissue and can hint at how healthy that tissue is, was different in these patients and matched how bad their fatigue and daytime sleepiness were. These brain changes were linked to trouble with short-term memory and with how much fatigue got in the way of everyday life (measured with a simple Bell score, like a daily functioning rating). Sleep problems and feeling depressed were also tied to worse fatigue, while how sick someone was during their first COVID illness (like whether they were hospitalized) did not predict fatigue severity.

Who Should Care and Why

People with long COVID who have ongoing tiredness should care because the study shows fatigue can come from physical changes in the brain, not just feeling stressed or deconditioned. Caregivers and family can use this information to understand that the person’s tiredness is real and may need medical attention and gentle support, not just pushing through. Doctors and therapists may use these findings to look more closely at sleep, mood, memory, and brain health when treating post-COVID fatigue, similar to checking several parts of a car when it runs poorly. Patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and their care teams may especially notice overlap, since some of the same deep brain areas are involved in fatigue in MS; this could help share ideas about symptom management. Knowing that sleep quality and mood are linked to fatigue gives a clear target: improving sleep and treating depression or anxiety could help reduce how much fatigue affects daily life.

Important Considerations

This was a moderate-size study of 50 post-COVID patients and compared them to healthy people and a separate group with MS, but it does not prove cause and effect — we can’t say the brain changes were definitely caused by COVID. The imaging findings are group-level differences, which means not every person with long COVID will have the same brain scans or the same symptoms. Treatments are not tested here, so any changes to care (like medications or therapies) should be discussed with a doctor and based on further research.

AI-generated summary — for informational purposes only, not medical advice

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Specific Symptoms Living with MS Early Research

Article Topics:

Basal gangliaCOVID-19FatigueNeuroimagingPost-COVID syndromeThalamus

Whether you’ve recently been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) or are seeking to broaden your understanding of this complex, neurodegenerative disease, navigating the latest research can feel overwhelming. Studies published in respected medical journals like EClinicalMedicine often range from early-stage, exploratory work to advanced clinical trials. These evidence-based findings help shape new disease-modifying therapies, guide symptom management techniques, and deepen our knowledge of MS progression.

However, not all research is created equal. Some clinical research studies may have smaller sample sizes, evolving methodologies, or limitations that warrant careful interpretation. For a more comprehensive, accurate understanding, we recommend reviewing the original source material—accessible via the More Details section above—and consulting with healthcare professionals who specialize in MS care.

By presenting a wide range of MS-focused studies—spanning cutting-edge treatments, emerging therapies, and established best practices—we aim to empower patients, caregivers, and clinicians to stay informed and make well-informed decisions when managing Multiple Sclerosis.

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