The Rising Economic Tide of Long COVID: New Research Offers Hope
Long COVID is no longer a looming health crisis; it’s a significant drag on the US economy. Conservative estimates place the cost of existing cases at up to $6.6 billion (Bartsch et al., 2025). As understanding of this complex condition deepens, so does the potential for targeted interventions and improved treatment protocols.
Unlocking the Biological Mysteries of Long COVID
Recent breakthroughs are shedding light on the underlying mechanisms of Long COVID, paving the way for more effective therapies. Researchers are focusing on identifying who is most susceptible, allowing for proactive strategies to mitigate the disease’s impact.
Lung Regeneration and Peroxisome Function
A research team at the University of Virginia, led by Dr. Jie Sun, has pinpointed a key mechanism behind lung damage in COVID and Long COVID. The team discovered elevated interferon levels disrupt lung macrophage peroxisomes, hindering their ability to neutralize oxidants and repair tissue. Importantly, the FDA-approved drug sodium 4-phenylbutyrate showed promise in reversing these issues and reducing symptoms in a mouse model (Macrophage peroxisomes guide alveolar regeneration and limit SARS-CoV-2 tissue sequelae).
Biomarker Discovery for Breathlessness
Dr. David Price (Cardiff University) and Dr. Marcus Buggert (Karolinska Institute) have identified a unique protein signature in individuals with Long COVID-associated breathlessness. Their findings suggest inflammation and blood clotting may be damaging lung tissues in these patients (Identification of soluble biomarkers that associate with distinct manifestations of long COVID). This opens the door for treatments focused on healing lung tissues and improving breathing.
Genetic Predisposition and the FOXP4 Gene
Genome-wide association studies, analyzing data from two million people, have revealed a genetic link to Long COVID. Researchers Dr. Hanna Ollila (University of Helsinki) and Dr. Hugo Zeberg (Karolinska Institute) found that variants of the FOXP4 gene significantly increase the risk of developing the condition. This suggests certain individuals may be genetically predisposed due to variations impacting lung physiology (Genome-wide association study of Long COVID).
Leveraging ME/CFS Research for Long COVID Solutions
A significant finding is the overlap in treatment responses between ME/CFS and Long COVID. Dr. Ronald Davis (Stanford) and Dr. Wenzhong Xiao (Harvard) surveyed thousands of patients and discovered shared symptoms and comorbidities, with similar treatments proving effective in both groups (Patient-reported treatment outcomes in ME/CFS and Long COVID). This suggests valuable insights from ME/CFS research can be directly applied to Long COVID care.
AI and the Future of Long COVID Diagnosis
The NIH RECOVER Initiative, led by Dr. Emily Pfaff (University of North Carolina), has updated its artificial intelligence algorithm for identifying adults with Long COVID using electronic health records. This improved algorithm is highly sensitive and specific, estimating that approximately one in ten adults with COVID-19 will develop Long COVID (Re-engineering a machine learning phenotype to adapt to the changing COVID-19 landscape).
Solve M.E.’s Role in Advancing Research
Solve M.E. Has directly supported the growth of Long COVID research through programs like the Ramsay Research Grant Program and Catalyst Awards. Past grant recipients include Dr. Akiko Iwasaki (Yale), Dr. Carmen Scheibenbogen (Charité University), and Dr. Rob Wüst (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam). You can learn more about their function and other research initiatives at SolveME.org.
Spotlight on Recent Research
- Dr. Jonas Bergquist: Patient-reported treatment outcomes in ME/CFS and Long Covid (Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 2025)
- Dr. Heather Edgell: Research on inspiratory muscle training (Ramsay Research Grant Project)
- Dr. Akiko Iwasaki: The role of complement in Long Covid pathogenesis (JCI Insight, 2025) and Characterization of Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome in Long Covid (JACC Adv, 2025)
- Mr. Themos Kalafatis: Research using machine learning and text analytics (Ramsay Research Grant Project)
- Dr. Amy Proal and Dr. Michael VanElzakker: Targeting the SARS-CoV-2 reservoir in Long Covid (Lancet Infect Dis, 2025) and Distinguishing features of Long Covid identified through immune profiling (Nature, 2023)
- Dr. Carmen Scheibenbogen: Research on immunoadsorption (Lancet Reg Health Eur, 2024)
- Dr. Jennifer Stone: Research on similarities between ME/CFS and Long COVID (Ramsay Research Grant Project)
- Dr. Aaron Ring: Research on pathological autoantibodies (Ramsay Research Grant Project)
- Dr. Rob Wüst: Research on skeletal muscle pain and post-exertional malaise (Ramsay Research Grant Project)
- Dr. Dana Yelin: Research on enhanced external counterpulsation (Ramsay Research Grant Project)
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the current economic cost of Long COVID? Conservative estimates suggest up to $6.6 billion.
- What role does genetics play in Long COVID? Variants of the FOXP4 gene have been linked to an increased risk of developing the condition.
- How can ME/CFS research help Long COVID patients? There is significant overlap in symptoms and treatment responses, allowing for the application of existing knowledge.
What are your thoughts on the latest Long COVID research? Share your experiences and insights in the comments below!
