Brain Fog in Infection-Associated Chronic Illnesses (IACI): novel insights from neurocognitive and molecular profiling of the MAESTRO clinical study 9390

Abstract Description There is a complex interplay between the host’s immune system and pathogens, particularly in the context of Infection-Associated Chronic Illnesses (IACI). These conditions, including those following Lyme disease and COVID-19, represent a growing public health concern with limited diagnostic and therapeutic options. Our Clinical study, MAESTRO, employs a comprehensive approach to profile these catastrophic responses in individuals with IACI from Lyme or COVID by conducting neurological assessments, including eye movement tracking, neurocognitive function testing, incorporated with survey data and deep biological sample profiling for pathogen loads, dysbiosis, genomics, metabolomics, and innovative immune trajectory mapping. The most debilitating and least understood symptom people report in IACI is”brain fog.” Objective measurement and data to support neurocognitive dysfunction are currently lacking. By employing FDA-cleared devices, such as EEG, P300 ERT tests through WAVi, and eye tracking through RightEye, we are capturing objective measurements of brain function. We have found significant differences in multiple neurocognitive measurement unique to IACI. These measurements are being compared to molecular profiling to identify potential biomarkers. We find neuroinflammatory features that are significantly correlated with neurocognitive measurements. Clinical care for individuals with IACI can be improved by providing a more objective assessment of symptoms such as brain fog. Funding Sources NIH 1R01AI178713; MLSC (Massachusetts Life Sciences Center) Bits to Bytes Award Topic Categories Neuroimmunology (NEUR)