New brain scan could reveal hidden signs of long COVID
NCT ID NCT06223971
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tested whether a special PET scan tracer is safe for people with Long COVID. Six adults with a history of COVID-19 (some with ongoing symptoms, some without) received the tracer and MRI scans. The goal was to see if the tracer can highlight brain inflammation differences between those with and without Long COVID symptoms.
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Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Early phase 1
The earliest testing in people: a first look at safety, in a very small group.
- Participants
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6 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Aug 2024
- Finished
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Mar 2026
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 years and older
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Have the ability to understand the requirements of the study, provide written informed consent, understand and provide written authorization for the use and disclosure of Protected Health Information (PHI) \[per Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Privacy Ruling\] and comply with the study procedures. 2. Documented history of COVID infection at least 6 - 12 months before enrollment. 3. Men and women at least 18 years old. 4. Women must have a negative serum pregnancy test and practice an acceptable method of contraception or be of non-childbearing potential (post-menopausal for at least 2 years or who have undergone hysterectomy, oophorectomy or surgical sterilization). 5. Geographic accessibility to the study center and the ability to travel to the clinic for study visits. 6. Agrees to the visit schedule as outlined in the informed consent. 7. Pre-study labs within normal range, or if abnormal, deemed not clinically significant by the site investigator. Exclusion Criteria: 1. History of recent nosocomial infection. 2. History of chronic neurological disorder, such as epilepsy, or structural Central Nervous System (CNS) abnormality such as stroke or arteriovenous malformation. 3. History of head trauma with prolonged loss of consciousness (\>10 minutes) or any neurological condition including stroke, seizure (excluding childhood febrile seizure), or visible structural abnormality on prior MRI. 4. Active or recent (in the past year) substance dependence (drugs-including nicotine, marijuana or alcohol). 5. Receipt of any investigational drug, device or biologic within 30 days of administration of study compound. 6. Use of anti-inflammatory medications, immunosuppressants, or benzodiazepines within 7 days of administration of study compound. 7. Any concomitant medical disease or condition limiting the safety to participate including, but not limited to: * Coagulopathy * Active infection 8. Contraindications to MRI scanning to include pacemakers, metallic implants/prosthesis or prohibitive claustrophobia, etc. 9. Contraindications to PET scanning to include pregnancy, etc. 10. Any medical condition that in the opinion of the study investigators would constitute a safety risk to the subject. 11. Any radiation exposure in the past calendar year that in combination with the radiation exposure from this study would exceed 5 rem. 12. Any history of learning disability or special education (due to the potential to affect performance on neuropsychological testing).
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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
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Johns Hopkins Outpatient Center
Baltimore, Maryland, 21287, United States
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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- Scans reveal hidden damage in COVID Long-Haulers
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- Mind over long COVID: new study tests behavioral relief