Total Body PET Imaging: Long COVID Research
- Researchers at the University of California,Davis,in collaboration with UC San Francisco,have initiated a new project to gain a deeper understanding of the underlying mechanisms of long COVID.
- Approximately one in ten individuals who contract COVID-19 experience long COVID, enduring a variety of symptoms for months or even years.
- The study will leverage the unique capabilities of the uEXPLORER, a cutting-edge total-body positron emission tomography (PET) scanner located at UC Davis.
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UC Davis Launches $3.2 Million Study using Total-Body PET Imaging to Investigate Long COVID
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Researchers at the University of California,Davis,in collaboration with UC San Francisco,have initiated a new project to gain a deeper understanding of the underlying mechanisms of long COVID. The study is supported by a four-year, $3.2 million grant from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), a component of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
The uEXPLORER total-body PET scanner at UC Davis will be instrumental in investigating the causes of long COVID symptoms.
Approximately one in ten individuals who contract COVID-19 experience long COVID, enduring a variety of symptoms for months or even years. While the precise origins of these symptoms remain unclear, research suggests a connection to activated immune T cells infiltrating organs and tissues.moreover, damage to the endothelial lining of blood vessels has also been implicated in the development of long COVID.
The Role of the uEXPLORER Total-Body PET Scanner
The study will leverage the unique capabilities of the uEXPLORER, a cutting-edge total-body positron emission tomography (PET) scanner located at UC Davis. Unlike traditional PET scanners that scan the body one section at a time, the uEXPLORER can image the entire body simultaneously, providing a thorough view of biological processes. UC Davis Health news details how this technology will allow researchers to track the movement of immune cells and assess vascular health throughout the body.
Specifically, the researchers will use the uEXPLORER to visualize the distribution of activated T cells and identify areas of inflammation and vascular damage. This will help them understand how these factors contribute to the diverse range of symptoms experienced by long COVID patients.
Understanding the Connection Between Immune Cells and Vascular Damage
The research team hypothesizes that activated T cells may contribute to vascular leakage, perhaps exacerbating long COVID symptoms. When T cells enter tissues, they can release inflammatory molecules that disrupt the integrity of blood vessel walls. This leakage can lead to tissue swelling, impaired oxygen delivery, and organ dysfunction.
The uEXPLORER’s ability to image the entire body simultaneously will allow researchers to assess the interplay between immune cell activity and vascular health in a way that was previously impossible.