New scan seeks to uncover hidden brain inflammation in long COVID sufferers
NCT ID NCT06920628
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jul 08, 2026 · Updated 2 times
Summary
This study is testing whether a radioactive tracer called 11C-PS13 can detect brain inflammation in people who have long-term neurological symptoms after COVID-19. Researchers will compare PET scans from 60 adults (both healthy volunteers and those with long COVID) to see if the tracer highlights areas of inflammation. The goal is to better understand the biology behind brain fog, headaches, and other post-COVID brain issues.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- 11C-PS13 (a radioactive tracer injected before a PET scan)
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could help identify a biological marker for brain inflammation in long COVID, pointing toward new ways to diagnose or treat these symptoms.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very early Phase 1 study with only 60 participants. It is designed to measure inflammation, not to test a treatment, so it may not lead directly to any therapy.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
National Institutes of Health Clinical Center
RECRUITINGBethesda, Maryland, 20892, United States
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Five years on: how does long COVID evolve?
- Could exercise retrain the heart in long COVID?
- Can brain games and gentle currents lift long COVID brain fog?
- Can brain training zap long COVID brain fog?
- Ear device zaps vagus nerve in bid to quiet long COVID fatigue and brain fog
- Smartphone therapy could ease long COVID's mental toll