Researchers Identify Altered Brain Connectivity in ME/CFS and Long COVID

New research from Griffith University has identified changes in how the brain communicates during mental effort in people living with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) and Long COVID.

Using ultra-high field MRI technology, researchers found a significant reduction in connectivity between specific brain regions when participants performed a cognitively demanding task. These findings help shed light on the neurological basis of symptoms commonly reported by people with both conditions.

The study focused on the shared neurological symptoms of ME/CFS and Long COVID, including difficulties with memory, concentration, attention, and slower processing speed.

Professor Sonya Marshall-Gradisnik from Griffith University’s National Centre for Neuroimmunology and Emerging Diseases explained that these cognitive symptoms are a major concern for patients and were a central focus of the research.

Lead author and PhD candidate Maira Inderyas described how participants completed a cognitive challenge while undergoing brain scans. During the MRI, participants performed a task known as the Stroop test, which requires individuals to filter out conflicting information and respond accurately—placing high demands on executive function and mental control.

This approach allowed researchers to closely observe which areas of the brain were activated during sustained cognitive effort. The scans revealed changes in brain regions linked to attention, memory, and information processing, offering insight into why mental tasks can feel especially difficult for people with ME/CFS and Long COVID.

Importantly, the findings reinforce what many patients already experience firsthand: mental exertion is not simply tiring—it can have measurable neurological effects. The research highlights that rest is not a luxury for people with these conditions, but a critical part of managing symptoms.

The study used a 7-Tesla ultra-high field MRI scanner, one of only two available in Australia, enabling exceptionally detailed imaging of brain activity.

The full study, titled “Distinct functional connectivity patterns in myalgic encephalomyelitis and Long COVID patients during cognitive fatigue: a 7 Tesla task-fMRI study,” has been published in the Journal of Translational Medicine.