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Journal of Medical Case Reports
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Open Access 01-12-2024 | Long-COVID Syndrome | Case report

Circadian re-set repairs long-COVID in a prodromal Parkinson’s parallel: a case series

Authors: Gregory L. Willis, Takuyuki Endo, Saburo Sakoda

Published in: Journal of Medical Case Reports | Issue 1/2024

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Abstract

Background

In this case series, results from daily visual exposure to intense polychromatic light of 2000 to 4000 LUX is presented. Bright light treatment is a standard procedure for treating seasonal affective disorder and prodromal Parkinson’s disease with high success. With the post-encephalitic symptoms of long-COVID closely approximating those of prodromal Parkinson’s disease, we treated insomnia and sleep-related parameters in these patients, including total sleep, number of awakenings, tendency to fall back to sleep, and fatigue, to determine whether mending sleep could improve quality of life.

Case presentation

We present three female and two male Caucasian patients aged 42–70 years with long-COVID that persisted from 12 weeks to 139 weeks after contracting coronavirus disease.

Conclusion

A light presentation protocol was adapted for long-COVID that not only restored sleep in all patients, but also unexpectedly repaired the depression, anxiety, and cognitive changes (brain fog) as well. A robust pattern of recovery commencing 4–5 days after treatment and was maintained for weeks to months without relapse. These preliminary findings represent a novel, minimally invasive approach for managing the most debilitating symptoms of long-COVID, making it an ideal candidate for the drug hypersensitive, post-encephalitic brain. That a compromised circadian mechanism seen in Parkinson’s disease may also underlie post-encephalitic long-COVID implicates a compromised role of the circadian system in these disorders.
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Metadata
Title
Circadian re-set repairs long-COVID in a prodromal Parkinson’s parallel: a case series
Authors
Gregory L. Willis
Takuyuki Endo
Saburo Sakoda
Publication date
01-12-2024

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Keynote series | Spotlight on menopause

Menopause can have a significant impact on the body, with effects ranging beyond the endocrine and reproductive systems. Learn about the broader systemic effects of menopause, so you can help patients in your clinics through the transition.

Launching: Thursday 12th December 2024
 

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Dr. Samar El Khoudary
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