Actively Recruiting
Mechanisms of Persistent Fatigue (MAP-FAT): A Prospective Observational Cohort Study of Persistent Fatigue Following Epstein-Barr Virus Infection in Adolescents and Young Adults
Led by University Hospital, Akershus · Updated on 2026-05-22
300
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
N/A
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Persistent fatigue (PF) is a widespread symptom that causes disability and lowers quality of life across different countries and cultures. It often follows acute infections, such as Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection, and is a key feature of conditions like Long COVID. This research aims to better understand the complex interactions between brain activity, the immune system, and the autonomic nervous system in PF, which are not well studied yet. The multinational MAP-FAT project focuses on these brain-body relationships to clarify what drives persistent fatigue. The study will follow 150 individuals with recent EBV infection and 150 healthy controls who do not have EBV infection. Over six months, participants will undergo clinical assessments, complete questionnaires, and have brain scans using multimodal MRI. Researchers will also measure autonomic nervous system activity, perform detailed immune system profiling, and conduct behavioral experiments. Some experiments will include drug injections to observe how changes in autonomic activity affect brain function and immune response. Participants will be closely monitored for six months with repeated evaluations of fatigue symptoms, brain connectivity, and immune markers. The primary outcome measured is a difference in autonomic sympathetic activity at six months. Secondary outcomes include brain connectivity in specific regions and fatigue questionnaire scores. This observational study involves no treatment, and participants will be tracked to understand the causes and mechanisms behind persistent fatigue following EBV infection.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Mechanisms of Persistent Fatigue
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Laboratory-confirmed Epstein-Barr virus infection
- First symptoms started more than 3 weeks and less than 6 weeks ago
- Age between 16 and 39 years
You will not qualify if you...
- Any co-morbid condition including mental illness (seasonal allergy or asthma allowed if no symptoms)
- Use of pharmaceuticals except hormonal contraception, paracetamol, or ibuprofen
- Concurrent demanding life event causing fatigue
- Disability affecting daily living
- Regular smoking
- Use of illicit drugs
- Pregnancy
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (in-person)
Duration - At baseline and up to 6 months
Participants with acute Epstein-Barr virus infection and healthy controls undergo assessments to evaluate fatigue and related biomarkers.
Multiple visits including baseline and follow-up assessments up to 6 months
Duration - 6 months
Participants are observed over a six-month period to monitor persistent fatigue and related outcomes.
Follow-up visits scheduled during this period
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Akershus University Hospital
Lørenskog, Norway, N-1478
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
V
Vegard Bruun Bratholm Wyller
How is the study designed?
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Masking
N/A
Allocation
N/A
Model
N/A
Primary Purpose
N/A
Number of Arms
2
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