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Research Team Secures $1.5 Million for Groundbreaking Study on Neurological Disorders Associated with Long COVID
- Dr. Jianyang Du, an associate professor at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, received $1.5 million from the National Institute of Mental Health for a research study on neurological disorders caused by long COVID-19.
- Dr. Du's investigation focuses on the cellular and molecular mechanisms that lead to neurological disorders associated with long COVID.
- Dr. Du's team will use specially developed mouse models to mimic SARS-CoV-2 infection and to study neural behavior changes during the infection.
- Preliminary findings from Dr. Du's lab demonstrate the presence of genetic material of the virus in the brains of infected mice just four days after the infection, signifying a direct interaction between the virus and the brain.
- The study aims to understand the immune mechanisms involved in the disruption of normal neuronal activity and how it leads to cognitive and psychological disturbances.
- The research also aims to address the health disparities exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic by creating effective interventions that cater to not just the biologically afflicted but also socioeconomically disadvantaged populations.
- The urgent need for this research lies in the fact that long COVID is a disorder that transcends biochemical symptoms and influences mental health and cognitive clarity.
- Dr. Du's project could open up pathways for equitable healthcare solutions and could create better health outcomes.
- This research represents a beacon of hope in an uncertain landscape dominated by the shadows of the pandemic, symbolizing the resilience of scientific inquiry.
- As Dr. Du's research unfolds, the scientific community and the public alike will watch closely, and this study could ultimately pave the way for greater mental and neurological wellness.
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