Neuroendocrine Dysfunction in ME/CFS & Long COVID - July 2026

Long COVID and Post-Infectious Syndromes ECHO A Practical Approach to Complex Long COVID & ME/CFS Patient Cases Bateman Horne Center and the University of Utah Health Project ECHO teams join forces once again to provide a case-based learning series illuminating strategies for assessment and management of Long COVID (PASC), ME/CFS, and related comorbid conditions. Patient cases are shared in this session for educational purposes. In some instances, the information does not relate to an individual and instead represents a compilation of disease presentation. In cases involving individual patient information, the patients have authorized the discussion of their case in this setting. This ECHO session focused on neuroendocrine dysfunction in Long COVID and ME/CFS. In this session, Dr. Natalie Thomas, Ph.D. from the University of Melbourne describes research looking into the risk factors for developing Long COVID or ME/CFS, how sex and age influence the symptomatology and risk for developing Long COVID, and how symptoms fluctuate during the menstrual cycle. She also explains the complexities of neuroendocrine research, describes the interaction between hormones and the immune system, and provides a preview of emerging research for Long COVID ME/CFS. Key topics include: Research Methodology Epidemiology of Long COVID Age and Sex Differences Research Immune and Reproductive Interactions Emerging Research Neuroendocrine Dysfunction Time Stamps: 0:00 Introduction 1:45 Neuroendocrine Dysfunction Research 5:36 Epidemiology of ME/CFS & Long COVID 10:23 Age Factors 12:20 Sex Differences and Neuroendocrine Alterations 25:13 Complexities of Neuroendocrine Research 31:12 Immune System Implications 32:35 The Homeostatic Integrated Network 33:51 Steroid Hormones 39:36 Biological Analysis 43:25 Research Summary & Emerging Research 46:58 Summary 48:45 Discussion & Q&A Note to community members: We advise viewers to always speak with their medical care team before making any adjustments or changes to their current care regimen. Bateman Horne Center’s involvement in this program is made possible with the additional support of the Open Medicine Foundation. Download the Clinical Care Guide: https://bit.ly/4jScKFu View the Slide Deck: https://bit.ly/4yIwALB