Medical imaging has shown similarities between the brains of patients with long COVID and those with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Brisbane researchers used the world’s strongest MRI scanner, with an ultra-high field strength of 7-tesla — one of two in Australia — to see whether the conditions mirrored the same effects on brain structure.

Lead author, research fellow Dr Kiran Thapaliya (PhD) said scans showed the brainstem was significantly larger in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome patients and long COVID patients, compared with those who did not have the same ailments.

“It also showed similar volumes of the brainstem in patients which could be the reason long COVID patients exhibit all common core symptoms of [myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome],” Dr Thapaliya said.