Fatigue, shortness of breath, concentration problems: More and more people are suffering from Long Covid. A research team from Erlangen wants to improve diagnosis and therapy for this – with the help of AI.
Erlangen – One in ten people suffers from symptoms such as breathing difficulties, insomnia, taste disorders and fatigue for months after a corona * infection. At least that is the result of a German study by Science Direct . According to the RKI*, around 76 percent of adults who had to be treated as inpatients in the clinic for corona disease still have one or more symptoms six months after being discharged. A neurologist from Essen recently revealed * how often Corona has long-term consequences. Recognizing Long Covid at all is still not easy. Possible therapies are also not yet sufficiently established. The Erlangen research project “disCOVer” wants to work on exactly this and relies on the help of artificial intelligence.
Corona: Erlangen research project – artificial intelligence should help with long-Covid diagnosis
The research team from Erlangen* headed by Dr. Bettina Hohberger wants to achieve two goals with the study, as can be seen from the hospital’s announcement. On the one hand, they want to develop a method to enable a quick diagnosis of Long Covid, which can then be used in medical practices throughout Bavaria. On the other hand, the focus is on treatment options for those affected. In order to be able to take part in the study, those interested must fill out a questionnaire and send it to the research team at the University Hospital of Erlangen.
In the first part of the study, the properties in the blood are measured using a newly developed device. The aim here is to be able to prove that something is pathological in the body, Hohberger explains to the BR. “That we can say, okay, if it’s in the blood or if it’s in the vascular density, that we can then say: That gets the diagnosis Long Covid.” This is where artificial intelligence comes into play. An algorithm in the device supports diagnosis.
Different treatment options in Long Covid patients
As part of the study, the researchers are also developing various treatment options for people with long-term covid. Based on the symptoms and the evaluation of the algorithm, the study participants are assigned to one of three groups. Depending on the group, different treatment methods are available. A booster vaccination* helps some patients because they “have ongoing T-cell activity”. Rehabilitation is recommended for organ damage, according to the report. In the third group, functional autoantibodies trigger autoimmune reactions. To prevent this, those affected are given a drug that neutralizes the autoantibodies.
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Bavaria supports research project with one million euros
The Bavarian Ministry of Health supports the research project with more than one million euros. According to BR information, Health Minister Klaus Holetschek (CSU) said when presenting the project: “This is a beacon, I have high expectations.” It is very important that the diagnosis of the disease is optimized and then forms of therapy are developed precisely would, according to Holetschek. The research team will provide information about the status of the project at regular intervals. *Merkur.de/bayern is an offer from IPPEN.MEDIA
List of rubrics: © Christin Klose/dpa
