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In this episode, hosts Anita Chopra, Andrew Schamess, Aaron Friedberg, and Carissa Lee are joined by Dr. Michal Tal to discuss groundbreaking immunoengineering research that could redefine Long COVID diagnosis. Dr. Tal leads the MAESTRO study, the largest clinical study at MIT, in hopes of improving our understanding of chronic illnesses like Long COVID and Lyme Disease. Through extensive multimodal profiling, her work uncovers hidden cellular and vascular changes, offering patients more objective answers and targeted treatments. She describes how advanced techniques like capillaroscopy and molecular profiling are transforming vague symptoms into measurable data, moving away from stigma towards validated science. The episode concludes with Dr. Tal's reflections on the importance of accessible language and storytelling in research communication.

Read more about Dr. Tal's research here: https://talresearchgroup.mit.edu/

Edited and Produced by Christopher Chiu and Carissa Lee

In this episode of the Long COVID Clinical Podcast, hosts Drs. Anita Chopra, Andrew Schamess, and Aaron Friedberg are joined by Dr. Michael Brode, medical director of the post-COVID-19 program at UT Health Austin, to discuss the complexities of long COVID management in the primary care setting. Dr. Brode explains how systemic inflammation and autoimmunity may contribute to symptoms like brain fog and fatigue. He highlights innovative research, including skin biopsies indicative of nerve damage in many patients, and discusses potential treatments like IVIG. Dr. Brode's insights provide a comprehensive view of long COVID as a systemic neuroimmunological disease, underscoring the need for targeted interventions and the potential for transformative patient outcomes.

Edited and Produced by Christopher Chiu and Carissa Lee

In this episode of the Long COVID Clinical Podcast, hosts Dr. Anita Chopra, Dr. Aaron Friedberg, and Carissa Lee are joined by Dr. Alba Azola, a rehabilitation physician and leading expert on long COVID at Johns Hopkins. Dr. Azola delves into the intricacies of autonomic nervous system dysregulation in long COVID and how it can manifest in diverse symptoms such as brain fog, POTS, and temperature dysregulation. The discussion explores innovative diagnostics and therapies, including blood-brain barrier studies and interventions like venous stenting. The episode offers insights into promising treatments, such as vagal nerve stimulation and IVIGs, and underscores the need for a nuanced, patient-centered approach to research and clinical management.

Edited and Produced by Christopher Chiu and Carissa Lee