Towards a Better Understanding of the Neurological Effects of Infection-Associated Chronic Illnesses (R01 - Clinical Trial Optional)

The "Towards a Better Understanding of the Neurological Effects of Infection-Associated Chronic Illnesses" funding opportunity, offered by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), aims to support research investigating the neurological and mental health manifestations of chronic illnesses that may be triggered by infections. This initiative focuses on conditions such as post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (Neuro-PASC), post-treatment Lyme Disease, myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), and other post-infectious syndromes. The funding opportunity encourages research on common mechanisms across these conditions or specific studies on individual illnesses.

Research projects funded under this opportunity should explore mechanistic pathways underlying these conditions, including inflammation, microvascular dysfunction, immune responses, or mitochondrial and metabolic dysfunction. Preclinical and clinical studies that delve into the neuropathophysiology of these post-infectious chronic illnesses, as well as mechanistic clinical trials aimed at understanding therapeutic targets, are within the scope of this funding. The initiative encourages interdisciplinary approaches and leveraging resources like biospecimen repositories and cell lines to enhance the research.

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) and the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) are particularly interested in studies that advance knowledge of brain and nervous system responses to these chronic illnesses. For NINDS, focus areas include brain microvascular dysfunction, neuroinflammation, immune dysregulation, and metabolic issues related to infection-induced illnesses. NIMH seeks to understand how infections lead to new or worsening mental health conditions, such as cognitive deficits, anxiety, or mood disorders, especially in the post-infection phase.

Eligible applicants include higher education institutions, nonprofit organizations, and for-profit entities, as well as local, state, and tribal governments. Foreign institutions and components are also eligible to apply. The program encourages the inclusion of populations affected by health disparities, particularly those disproportionately impacted by infection-associated chronic illnesses.

Applications must propose a mechanistic study, and the budget for each project is limited to under $500,000 in direct costs annually. The maximum project period is five years, and applications will be accepted starting in January 2025, with deadlines occurring throughout the year. Applicants are advised to consult with program officials to ensure their projects align with the initiative’s goals.

This funding opportunity supports efforts to better understand, prevent, and treat the neurological and mental health impacts of infection-related chronic conditions, ultimately improving patient outcomes in these understudied areas.