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Magnetic Resonance Analysis of Neural Inflammatory Factors and External Stimulation

Magnetic Resonance Analysis of Neural Inflammatory Factors and External Stimulation (MANIFEST)

Who can join

Ages 18 to 80 · All sexes

Inclusion Criteria:

1. aged 18-80
2. a documented diagnosis of PASC with evidence of ongoing symptoms as demonstrated by score of 12 on the NIH RECOVER Symptom List
3. have "brain fog" or cognitive difficulties as one of the ongoing symptoms
4. are fluent in English
5. if taking psychotropic medications, have been on stable doses for the past month.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. a prior history of other neurological disease, or any history of seizures, so as to reduce risk of exacerbation of epilepsy or other neurological symptoms;
2. history of a psychotic disorder, such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, so as to reduce risk of psychiatric decompensation
3. history of ongoing substance/alcohol dependence, to reduce confounding effects on diagnosis and brain imaging
4. presence of any implanted electrical device (e.g., pacemaker), to reduce risk of device malfunction from rTMS
5. recent medical hospitalization (within four weeks), to reduce risk of medical decompensation during the study
6. any condition that would prevent the subject from completing the protocol
7. appointment of a legal representative, to avoid coercion of a vulnerable population
8. any ongoing litigation related to medical diagnosis, or disability, to prevent interference with legal proceedings
9. any contraindication to MRI
10. membership in an identified vulnerable population, including minors, pregnant women, and prisoners, so as to prevent coercion.

About the study

The goal of this clinical trial is to test whether a type of rapid outpatient brain stimulation that uses magnetic fields, called accelerated intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS), can treat symptoms such as brain fog, depression, and anxiety in patients with Long COVID. The main questions it aims to answer are:

* Is iTBS effective and feasible for reducing Long COVID symptoms? We will measure these symptoms using the Symptom Burden Questionnaire. * Are there changes in inflammatory brain chemicals associated with treatment with iTBS? We will be looking at levels of choline in the brain, which is thought to be related to inflammation.

Researchers will compare sham versus active forms of iTBS to see if the active group has greater improvement in symptoms.

Participants will complete symptom surveys, cognitive tests, and magnetic resonance imaging scans at the beginning, middle, and end of treatment.

What is being tested

• accelerated intermittent theta burst stimulation (device)

Sponsor: University of New Mexico · Participants: 60 · Started: Jul 7, 2025

Contact the study team

• Crystal Garcia · Phone: 505-272-9552

Official record on ClinicalTrials.gov — NCT06940609

Locations in the U.S.

Conditions

• Post-COVID Conditions (Long COVID)

From ClinicalTrials.gov, data retrieved Sep 30, 2026. Each study sets its own eligibility; the study team decides who can join.