Professor David Putrino is a physiotherapist with a PhD in Neuroscience. He is currently the Director of Rehabilitation Innovation for the Mount Sinai Health System, and a Professor in the Department of Rehabilitation and Human Performance at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Professor Putrino recently opened the Mount Sinai Cohen Center for Recovery from Complex Chronic Illness in New York also known as (CoRE) and serves as CoRE’s Family Director and is also a member of PolyBio’s Long COVID Research Consortium.Today's episode is the second in a two part series looking at research into potential treatments for Long COVID.REFERENCES1 Polybio Article - A clinical trial of repurposed HIV antivirals in Long COVID2 Patterson BK, Yogendra R, Guevara-Coto J, Mora-Rodriguez RA, Osgood E, Bream J, Parikh P, Kreimer M, Jeffers D, Rutland C, Kaplan G. Case series: maraviroc and pravastatin as a therapeutic option to treat long COVID/Post-acute sequelae of COVID (PASC). Frontiers in Medicine. 2023 Feb 8;10:1122529.3 Polybio Article - Long COVID low-dose rapamycin clinical trial4 Polybio Article - Lumbrokinase Long COVID & ME/CFS clinical trial
Professor David Putrino is a physiotherapist with a PhD in Neuroscience. He is currently the Director of Rehabilitation Innovation for the Mount Sinai Health System, and a Professor in the Department of Rehabilitation and Human Performance at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Professor Putrino recently opened the Mount Sinai Cohen Center for Recovery from Complex Chronic Illness in New York also known as (CoRE) and serves as CoRE’s Family Director and is also a member of PolyBio’s Long COVID Research Consortium.Today we talk about the pathophysiology of Long COVID in the context of describing research into targeted treatments for the disease.REFERENCES1 Proal AD, VanElzakkerMB, Aleman S, Bach K, Boribong BP, Buggert M, Cherry S, Chertow DS, Davies HE, Dupont CL, Deeks SG. SARS-CoV-2 reservoir in post-acute sequelae of COVID-19(PASC). Nature Immunology. 2023 Oct;24(10):1616-27.2 Klein J, Wood J,Jaycox JR, Dhodapkar RM, Lu P, Gehlhausen JR, Tabachnikova A, Greene K, Tabacof L, Malik AA, Silva Monteiro V. Distinguishing features of Long COVID identified through immune profiling. Nature. 2023 Nov 2;623(7985):139-48.3 Long COVID low-dose Rapamycin clinical trial4 Lumbrokinase LongCOVID & ME/CFS clinical trial5 Silva J, Takahashi T, Wood J, Lu P, Tabachnikova A, Gehlhausen JR, Greene K,Bhattacharjee B, Monteiro VS, Lucas C, Dhodapkar RM. Sex differences insymptomatology and immune profiles of Long COVID. medRxiv. 2024 Mar 2:2024-02.6 VanElzakker MB, Bues HF, Brusaferri L, Kim M, Saadi D, Ratai EM, Dougherty DD, Loggia ML. Neuroinflammation in post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC) as assessed by [11C] PBR28 PET correlates with vascular disease measures. Brain, Behavior, and Immunity.7 Fernández-CastañedaA, Lu P, Geraghty AC, Song E, Lee MH, Wood J, O’Dea MR, Dutton S, Shamardani K, Nwangwu K, Mancusi R. Mild respiratory COVID can cause multi-lineage neural cell and myelin dysregulation. Cell. 2022 Jul 7;185(14):2452-68.
Professor Nancy Klimas is interviewed about the mechanisms behind how a nebulised medication caused a remarkable recovery from symptoms of ME/CFS and Long COVID in a small group of individuals and her objective to gain the ability to extend this research into a larger population of people with the hope of finding a viable treatment for these diseases.REFERENCES1 Gil A, Hoag GE, Salerno JP, Hornig M, Klimas N, Selin LK. Identification of CD8 T-cell dysfunction associated with symptoms in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) and Long COVID and treatment with a nebulized antioxidant/anti-pathogen agent a restropective case series.2 Long COVID the Answers Episode 6:“PEM, Long COVID & It’s Management featuring Professor Todd Davenport”3 Appelman B, Charlton BT, Goulding RP, Kerkhoff TJ, Breedveld EA, Noort W, Offringa C,Bloemers FW, van Weeghel M, Schomakers BV, Coelho P., Wüst Rob.C Muscle abnormalitiesworsen after post-exertional malaise in long COVID. Nature communications. 2024Jan 4;15(1):1-54 Oldham WM, Lewis GD, Opotowsky AR, Waxman AB, Systrom DM. Unexplained exertional dyspnea caused by low ventricular filling pressures: results from clinical invasive cardiopulmonary exercise testing. Pulm Circ. 2016 Mar;6(1):55-62. 5 Joseph P, Arevalo C, Oliveira RKF, Faria-Urbina M, Felsenstein D, Oaklander AL, Systrom DM. Insights From Invasive Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing of Patients With Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Chest. 2021 Aug;160(2):642-651. 6 Singh I, Joseph P, Heerdt PM, Cullinan M, Lutchmansingh DD, Gulati M, Possick JD, Systrom DM, Waxman AB. Persistent Exertional Intolerance After COVID-19: Insights From Invasive Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing. Chest. 2022 Jan;161(1):54-63. 7 Joseph P, Pari R, Miller S, Warren A, Stovall MC, Squires J, Chang CJ, Xiao W, Waxman AB, Systrom DM. Neurovascular Dysregulation and Acute Exercise Intolerance in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial of Pyridostigmine. Chest. 2022 Nov;162(5):1116-1126. 8 Open Medicine Foundation: Dr. David Systrom Discusses OMF's LIFT Clinical Trial
Dr David Lyons Kaufman is interviewed about Mast Cell Activation Syndrome. Dr Kaufman is a working member of the U.S. Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) Clinical Coalition and part of the Guideline Committee. He is a founder and practising physician of the Center for Complex Diseases based in Seattle and California, USA which has a focus on patients suffering from Complex Chronic Disease such as Mast Cell Activation Syndrome ME/CFS & Long COVID.REFERENCEAfrin LB, Ackerley MB, Bluestein LS, Brewer JH, Brook JB, Buchanan AD, Cuni JR, Davey WP, Dempsey TT, Dorff SR, Dubravec MS. Diagnosis of mast cell activation syndrome: a global “consensus-2”. Diagnosis. 2021 May 1;8(2):137-52.
Gina Assaf & Letícia Soares are interviewed about the work they do as part of the Patient-Led Research Collaborative. In this episode we do a deep dive into their latest publication.REFERENCES1 Soares L, Assaf G, McCorkell L, Davis H, Cohen A, Moen J, Shoemaker L, Liu L, Lewis D, Robles R, McWilliams C. Long COVID and associated outcomes following COVID-19 reinfections: Insights from an InternationalPatient-Led Survey.
Dr Funmi Okunola MD interviews Professor Nancy Klimas MD about her research into the use of Monoclonal Antibodies as a possible treatment for Long COVID. We have an exciting and exclusive breaking news item in this episode!REFERENCES1 Scheppke KA, Pepe PE, Jui J, Crowe RP, Scheppke EK, Klimas NG, Marty AM. Remission of severe forms of long COVID following monoclonal antibody (MCA) infusions: a report of signal index cases and call for targeted research. The American Journal of Emergency Medicine. 2024 Jan 1;75:122-7.2 Zuo W, He D, Liang C, Du S, Hua Z, Nie Q, Zhou X, Yang M, Tan H, Xu J, Yu Y. The persistence of SARS-CoV-2 in tissues and its association with long COVID symptoms: a cross-sectional cohort study in China. The Lancet Infectious Diseases. 2024 Apr 22.3 Hope & Help for Fatigue and Chronic Illness - The Institute For Neuro-Immune Medicine Podcast4 Appelman B, Charlton BT, Goulding RP, Kerkhoff TJ, Breedveld EA, Noort W, Offringa C,Bloemers FW, van Weeghel M, Schomakers BV, Coelho P., Wüst Rob.C Muscle abnormalitiesworsen after post-exertional malaise in long COVID. Nature communications. 2024Jan 4;15(1):1-5
Three members of the Patient-Led Research Collaborative - Lisa McCorkell, Gina Assaf & Letícia Soares are interviewed by Dr Funmi Okunola about the organisation and the work it does.REFERENCES1 The Patient-Led Research Collaborative Website2 The Patient-Led Research Collaborative Donation Page3 Portela MC et al. 2024. Protocol for an ambidirectional cohort study on long COVID and the healthcare needs, use and barriers to access health services in a large city in Southeast Brazi. lBMJ Open 14:e086656.4 Caldas B et al. 2024. Promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion in surveys: insights from a patient-engaged study to assess long COVID health-care needs in Brazil. Journal of Clinical Epidemiology, 173: 111423
Dr Richard Baron MD - Immediate Past President and CEO, American Board of Internal Medicine and ABIM Foundation talks about how social media was used in a positive fashion by healthcare professionals to conduct a successful COVID vaccination program during the height of the pandemic.This podcast was recorded earlier in 2024 prior to Dr Baron's leaving his post as President and CEO of the American Board of Internal Medicine in September 2024REFERENCE Lalani HS, DiResta R, Baron RJ, Scales D. Addressing viral medical rumors and false or misleading information. Annals of Internal Medicine.2023 Aug;176(8):1113-20.
Chimére Sweeney, an award winning , former middle school teacher, writer, film producer, speaker, and long COVID advocate, is interviewed about her Long COVID story. This is the second of two episodes.
Chimére Sweeney, an award winning , former middle school teacher, writer, film producer, speaker, and long COVID advocate, is interviewed about her Long COVID story. This is the first of two episodes.REFERENCES"Could You Hug Me Longer, Please? Reclaiming Touch and Intimacy as a Black Woman with Long COVID". published online in SheKnows February 2023.
Professor Erica Spatz MD talks to Dr Funmi Okunola MD about the effects of Long COVID on the heart. Professor Spatz is a cardiologist and clinical investigator at the Centre for Outcomes Research and Evaluation. She is the Associate Professor of Cardiology and Associate Professor of Epidemiology at Yale School of Medicine in the USA and is the Director of the Preventative Cardiovascular Health Program. REFERENCES1.Shah SM, Odanovic N, Kunnirickal S, Feher A, Pfau SE, Spatz ES. Chest pain and coronary endothelial dysfunction after recovery from COVID‐19: A case series. Clinical Case Reports. 2022 Apr;10(4):e05612.2.HilserJR, Spencer NJ, Afshari K, Gilliland FD, Hu H, Deb A, Lusis AJ, Wilson Tang WH, Hartiala JA, Hazen SL, Allayee H. COVID-19 Is a Coronary Artery Disease Risk Equivalent and Exhibits a Genetic Interaction With ABO Blood Type. Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology. 2024 Nov;44(11):2321-33.
Professor Ric Arseneau MD is a clinical professor at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada, and a specialist in Internal Medicine with expertise in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/ CFS), Fibromyalgia and Long COVID. Dr Funmi Okunola MD talks to Professor Arseneau MD about ME/CFS, Long COVID and the diagnosis and management of Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS).REFERENCES:1.Definition of Dysautonomia2.Dr Ric Arseneau Homepage3.POTS - NASA Lean Test4 YouTube Video of Physiotherapy Management of Dysautonomia/POTS by Trineta Mohan Bhojwani
Professor Michelle Harkins MD is Professor of Medicine at the School of Medicine at the University of New Mexico and Division Chief Of Pulmonary Critical Care in the United States of America is interviewed by Dr Funmi Okunola MD about breathing difficulties with Long COVID.REFERENCES1 Breathing Difficulty in Long COVID - Long COVID the Answers Website2. . Evans R, Pick A, Lardner R, Masey V, Smith N, Greenhalgh T. Breathing difficulties after covid-19: a guide for primary care. bmj. 2023 Jun 14;381.
This interview is part of our neurological Long COVID section of the series. Professor Thida Thant MD is an award-winning consultation liaison psychiatrist and Director of the Psychiatric Consultation for the Medically Complex Clinic at the University of Colorado, where she provides rehabilitation for Long COVID survivors. She is one of the few psychiatrists we have found who is taking a lead in the rehabilitation of people with complex chronic disease.References1 Psychiatric Consultation for the Medically Complex Program at the University of Colorado2 APA Resource Document on Neuropsychiatric Symptoms of Subacute & Chronic Long COVID
Professor Ric Arseneau MD is a clinical professor at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada, and a specialist in internal medicine with expertise in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/ CFS), Fibromyalgia and Long COVID. He is interviewed today about ME/CFS by Dr Funmi Okunola MD.REFERENCES1. Walitt B, Singh K, LaMunion SR, Hallett M, Jacobson S, Chen K, Enose-Akahata Y, Apps R, Barb JJ, Bedard P, Brychta RJ. Deep phenotyping of post-infectious myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome. Nature Communications. 2024 Feb 21;15(1):907.2 Project ECHO at the University of New Mexico3 Dr Ric Arseneau Website4. ME TV 5 "Family & Friends" - ME TV Video6 2003 Canadian Consensus Criteria for ME/CFS7 2016 Definition for Fibromyalgia (FM)8 Vahratian A, Lin JM, Bertolli J, Unger ER. Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome in adults: United States, 2021–2022. US Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics; 2023 Dec 1.9 "Chronic Fatigue Syndrome More Common than Previous Estimates" - Medical News Dec 202310 Hickie I, Davenport T, Wakefield D, Vollmer-Conna U, Cameron B, Vernon SD, Reeves WC, Lloyd A. Post-infective and chronic fatigue syndromes precipitated by viral and non-viral pathogens: prospective cohort study.Bmj. 2006 Sep 14;333(7568):575.
Dr Amy Proal, Microbiologist, President and Chief Scientific Officer of Polybio discusses Long COVID in the context of other viral illnesses that lead to Chronic Post Viral Illness. This is part 2 of a 2 part series.REFERENCES1. Polybio2. Proal AD, VanElzakker MB. Long COVID or post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC): an overview of biological factors that may contribute to persistent symptoms. Frontiers in microbiology. 2021 Jun 23;12:698169.
Dr Amy Proal, Microbiologist, President and Chief Scientific Officer of Polybio discusses Long COVID in the context of other viral illnesses that lead to Chronic Post Viral Illness. This is part 1 of a 2 part series.REFERENCESPolybioProal AD, VanElzakker MB. Long COVID or post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC): an overview of biological factors that may contribute to persistent symptoms. Frontiers in microbiology. 2021 Jun 23;12:698169.
Professor James Jackson PsyD is a licensed neuropsychologist and internationally renowned expert on Long Covid and its effects on cognitive and mental health functioning. He is a research professor of Medicine and Psychiatry at Vanderbilt, University School of Medicine Consortium in Nashville, Tennessee in the USA. He is interviewed by Dr Funmi Okunola about the psychological management of mental illness in Long COVID.References1. “Clearing the Fog from Surviving to Thriving with Long COVID – A Practical Guide”.2. The Long COVID Handbook by Gez Medinger & Professor Danny Altmann3.Dindo L, Van Liew JR, Arch JJ. Acceptance and commitment therapy: a transdiagnostic behavioral intervention for mental health and medical conditions. Neurotherapeutics. 2017 Jul 1;14(3):546-53.4.REVERSE LC - Randomized trial Evaluating Baricitinib on pERSistent nEurologic and Cardiopulmonary Symptoms of Long COVID5."Live Like You Were Dying" - lyrics6.Field Of Dreams -Movie7.GAD-78.The Hospital Anxiety & Depression Scale9.The Impact of Events Scale Revised10.Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist
Professor James Jackson PsyD is a licensed neuropsychologist and internationally renowned expert on Long Covid and its effects on cognitive and mental health functioning. He is a research professor of Medicine and Psychiatry at Vanderbilt, University School of Medicine Consortium in Nashville, Tennessee in the USA. He is interviewed by Dr Funmi Okunola about the nature and rehabilitation of Brain Fog in Long COVID.He is also author of “Clearing the Fog from Surviving to Thriving with Long COVID – A Practical Guide”.REFERENCES1. “Clearing the Fog from Surviving to Thriving with Long COVID – A Practical Guide”.2. The Long COVID Handbook by Gez Medinger & Professor Danny Altmann3. MoCa Test4. Mini Mental State Exam
THIS PODCAST WAS RECORDED ON THE 17th JANUARY 2024Professor David Cutler, the Otto Eckstein Professor of Applied Economics at Harvard University in the U.S.A., research associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research and a member of the National Academy of Medicine in the USA talks about the economic cost of Long COVID.REFERENCES1 Otto Eckstein2 Cutler DM, Summers LH. The COVID-19 pandemic and the $16 trillion virus. Jama. 2020Oct 20;324(15):1495-6.3 Cutler DM. The economic cost of long COVID: an update. Publish Online July. 2022.