Key result
Proxy cerebral perfusion during NASA Lean Tests associates with autonomic function in infection-associated chronic illnesses.
Why the study?
The study was conducted to explore potential biomarkers explaining how infection-associated chronic illnesses affect some patients but not others, and the different ways they do so.
Observational
The MAESTRO study aims to identify biomarkers, such as proxy cerebral perfusion measured via an earpiece, to better understand autonomic dysfunction in infection-associated chronic illnesses like Long COVID and Long Lyme.
Association with hypermobility sequelae in post-Lyme chronic illness is hypothesis-generating; leaves open predisposition mechanisms and requires prospective validation.
Introduction The Mucosal And systEmic Signatures Triggered by Responses to infectious Organisms (MAESTRO) Study aims to explore potential biomarkers to explain how infection-associated chronic illnesses (IACI) affect some patients but not others, and the different ways in which they do so. This information can guide further research into diagnosing, treating, and preventing IACIs. Methods The IACIs of focus are the long-lasting symptoms following acute infections of Borrelia burgdorferi and SARS-CoV-2, Long Lyme and Long COVID, respectively. Each participant contributes self-reported symptoms, surveys, tests for autonomic dysfunction, vital signs, reaction time tests, neurocognitive tests including eyetracking and electroencephalography (EEG) assessments, and various biological samples including blood, urine, sweat, throat swab, saliva, vaginal swab, and rectal swab. Throughout a study visit, an earpiece, Lumia, is used to measure blood flow to the brain and heart rate. Results During a NASA Lean Test, variations in proxy cerebral perfusion are compared to changes in traditional vital signs (blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen saturation) and observed physical signs and symptoms (blood pooling, lightheadedness, etc). Conclusion Analyses of these data may indicate a potential connection between autonomic function and proxy cerebral perfusion throughout various activities. Funding Source Fairbairn, NIH NIAID RO1 AI 178713-01, MLSC, Manton Topic Categories Neuroimmunology (NEUR)
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Dixon et al. (2026) conducted an observational in Infection-associated chronic illnesses (Long Lyme and Long COVID). Infection-associated chronic illnesses was evaluated on Variations in proxy cerebral perfusion during a NASA Lean Test. Analyses of proxy cerebral perfusion during a NASA Lean Test may indicate a potential connection with autonomic function in patients with infection-associated chronic illnesses.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: