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Study of FLUDEOXYGLUCOSE (18F) PET Imaging of Brain Metabolism in Patients with Persistent Post‑COVID Syndrome

Verified siteRegistered drugNo placebo
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What is this trial about?

A plain-language summary of the goals, design and what participants do

The study focuses on individuals who continue to experience health problems after a COVID-19 infection, known as post-COVID syndrome. To investigate these lingering issues, a small amount of a special imaging substance called Fludeoxyglucose (18F) is injected into a vein. This substance helps create pictures of how brain cells are using energy.

The purpose of the research is to compare brain activity and structure, as well as immune‑related blood findings, between people with ongoing symptoms and those who have recovered fully. Participants will have a brief blood draw, undergo a scan that measures cellular energy use using PET, and receive a detailed brain scan with MRI that shows both structure and function. After the imaging sessions, individuals will complete questionnaires about the presence and severity of their symptoms. The study follows a straightforward schedule of these visits over several weeks, without any additional experimental treatments.

The research process

The trial runs in 4 steps – from screening to follow-up. Each step says what happens and what the team monitors.

  1. Step 1

    Initial study visit

    Arrive at the study site on the scheduled date and check in with the study staff.

    Complete the initial questionnaires that ask about current symptoms and medical history.

    Provide a blood sample that will be used to measure immune‑related blood parameters.

  2. Step 2

    Magnetic resonance imaging (mri) scan

    Enter the mri suite and lie on the scanning table while the machine creates detailed pictures of the brain.

    The procedure does not involve any medication and typically lasts about 30 to 45 minutes.

  3. Step 3

    <b>fludeoxyglucose (18f)</b> injection and pet scan

    Receive an intravenous injection of fludeoxyglucose (18f) at a dose of 198 mbq (megabecquerel).

    The injection is followed immediately by a dynamic pet scan that records the brain’s cellular metabolism over a set period.

    The entire scanning session usually takes about one hour.

  4. Step 4

    Post‑scan questionnaires

    Complete additional questionnaires that assess the presence and severity of post‑covid symptoms after the imaging procedures.

    These questionnaires help the study compare symptom levels with the imaging and blood test results.

Who can join the trial?

5 criteria

  • You must have had a mild case of COVID‑19 that was proven by one of the following tests: a lab test called PCR (which looks for the virus’s genetic material), a blood test called serology (which checks for antibodies), a chest scan called CT that received a CO‑RADS score of 4 or 5 (meaning the scan looks typical for COVID‑19), a rapid antigen test, or you had typical COVID‑19 symptoms and someone you lived with tested positive by PCR within two weeks before or after you got sick.
  • It must be at least one year since you were first diagnosed with COVID‑19.
  • If you have ongoing post‑COVID problems, you need to have a high level of fatigue (a score of 35 or more on the fatigue part of the Checklist Individual Strength questionnaire) and/or trouble concentrating (a score of 18 or more on the concentration part of the same questionnaire). People without ongoing complaints must have low scores (fatigue less than 35 and concentration less than 18).
  • You must be between 30 and 65 years old.
  • You need to be able to understand and speak Dutch well enough to follow the study procedures.

Who cannot join the trial?

4 criteria

  • Unable to stay still during the scan because of claustrophobia (fear of being in a small, enclosed space), severe back pain, or trypanophobia (fear of needles).
  • Women who could become pregnant (childbearing potential) and are not permanently unable to have children (surgically sterile) must either avoid sexual activity or use reliable birth control, and must confirm in writing that they are not pregnant or breastfeeding at the screening and on the day of the scan.
  • Has a known mental health condition (psychiatric), physical illness (somatic) or brain‑degenerative disease (neurodegenerative) that could explain the current symptoms.
  • Is currently taking medicines that reduce inflammation and pain (anti‑inflammatory drugs).
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Verified sites

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  • Amsterdam UMC

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    The NetherlandsAmsterdam, The Netherlands

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Investigated drugs

Fludeoxyglucose (18F) is a special radioactive tracer that is injected into a vein. It travels through the bloodstream and is taken up by brain cells that are using energy. By scanning the brain with a PET scanner after the injection, doctors can see how active different brain areas are. In this study, the tracer helps researchers compare the brain’s cellular metabolism between people who have ongoing symptoms after COVID‑19 and those who do not. This information may reveal whether inflammation or other changes in brain activity are linked to post‑COVID complaints.

What is already known about the treatment

Fludeoxyglucose (18F) - It is given as a sterile solution that is injected into a vein, where the radioactive glucose‑like molecule travels to active cells in the brain and emits signals that a PET scanner can capture. The tracer is an approved diagnostic radiopharmaceutical and is well described in medical literature for brain imaging studies. It is mainly used to look at how brain cells use energy, helping doctors see inflammation or other changes in conditions such as post‑COVID syndrome. At the molecular level it behaves like normal glucose, entering cells through glucose transporters and then emitting positrons that are detected by the PET camera; it is classified as a PET imaging agent (radiopharmaceutical).

Investigated diseases

Post COVID-19 condition - Post COVID-19 condition is a collection of new, returning, or ongoing health problems that appear after the acute phase of SARS‑CoV‑2 infection has resolved. Symptoms may begin within weeks after the infection or develop gradually over time. The condition can involve fatigue, brain fog, shortness of breath, and other bodily complaints that can change in intensity. It typically persists for weeks to months, and some individuals notice improvement while others experience fluctuating patterns. The course of the condition varies between people, with some reporting gradual reduction of symptoms and others experiencing prolonged periods of discomfort.
Trial detailsLast updated 7 Oct 2026
Age18+ yearsPhasePhase IIITrial ID2025-522349-23-00Estimated enrolment65 patientsSponsorAmsterdam UMC Stichting

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