The role of the carotid chemoreflex in long COVID
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Understanding the mechanistic role of the carotid chemoreflex in patients with long COVID and unexplained breathing difficulties
IRAS ID
348370
Contact name
Angus Nightingale
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Bristol
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
Long-COVID is a condition in which people continue to have health problems for many months or years after a COVID-19 infection. It is a big health and economic problem in the UK, affecting nearly 2 million people and costing £8 billion each year. Of these, 71% reported having symptoms for >1 year, 51% >2 years, and 31% for at least 3 years, a prevalence which is worryingly similar to that of March 2023, indicating that incidence is not declining over time. Increasing evidence points to an ongoing, multi-system disorder involving the brain and the carotid body. The carotid body, a small organ in the carotid arteries, monitors oxygen levels in the blood and keeps tight control over breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure. This organ has a high distribution of angiotensin converting enzyme 2, the enzyme by which coronavirus enters cells. The carotid body is hypersensitive in individuals with long-COVID, which may drive symptoms such as breathlessness, inappropriate increases in heart rate, and inability to tolerate exercise. We aim to determine whether temporary inactivation of the carotid bodies improves breathing at rest and during exercise in people with long-COVID. We will monitor whether hyperventilation at rest is reduced, and breathing efficiency during exercise is improved, when the carotid bodies are inactivated. We will achieve these aims by recruiting 54 participants into 2 groups; group 1 is patients with long-COVID, group 2 is age-matched healthy controls who previously tested positive for COVID, but symptoms lasted less than 4 weeks. Our study will determine whether the carotid body is a target for future therapeutic treatment for patients with long-COVID and unexplained breathing difficulties.
REC name
London - Fulham Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
24/LO/0917
Date of REC Opinion
21 Jan 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion