Boston, MA

Boston hospital enrolls patients for Long COVID study: ‘Hopefully we can get some answers’

Published

1 year ago

August 1, 2023

Boston hospital enrolls patients for Long COVID study: ‘Hopefully we can get some answers’

As millions of people across the country continue to suffer from long COVID, a Boston hospital is launching phase 2 clinical trials to test potential treatments for the debilitating condition.

Brigham and Women’s Hospital is the first site to enroll and begin phase 2 clinical trials for the National Institutes of Health “Researching COVID to Enhance Recovery” (RECOVER) Initiative.

The phase 2 clinical trials will evaluate at least four potential treatments for long COVID, with additional clinical trials to test seven more treatments in the coming months. Treatments will include drugs, biologics, medical devices and other therapies.

“Long COVID is a real bear, and a lot of our patients are suffering from this complicated condition,” Lindsey Baden, VP of clinical research at the Brigham, told the Herald on Tuesday.

“We’re hoping we can enroll this quickly,” Baden added. “Hopefully we can get some answers, so we know how to treat our patients better.”

RECOVER is a large, nationwide research program designed to understand, treat and prevent long COVID, which is marked by long-term symptoms following a COVID infection.

These clinical trials are focusing on viral persistence and cognitive dysfunction.

RECOVER-VITAL will study viral persistence, which could occur if the virus stays in the body and causes the immune system to not function properly or causes damage to organs. The first intervention will test a longer dose regimen of the antiviral Paxlovid than is used for treating acute COVID to see if it improves the symptoms of patients with long COVID.

RECOVER-NEURO will examine interventions for cognitive dysfunction related to long COVID, including brain fog, memory problems, as well as difficulty with attention, thinking clearly, and problem-solving. Interventions under this protocol will include a series of web-based brain training programs that have been used to improve cognitive function and help brain activity and blood flow.

“Over the past year, efforts have largely been focused on observational studies to understand the symptoms of long COVID and associated underlying pathobiology. We are now pleased to begin the next phase in this process and launch clinical trials to treat patients with significant symptoms associated with long COVID,” Baden said.

The Brigham is looking to enroll dozens of patients for the clinical trials. Brigham and Women’s Hospital will be partnering with local communities to raise awareness about long COVID and offer opportunities to participate in the RECOVER clinical trials.

Those interested in learning more about enrolling in the RECOVER clinical trial should visit www.recovercovid.org.

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Boston, MA

Snowy weather causes gridlock traffic at Logan Airport in Boston

Published

5 hours ago

December 22, 2024

Press Room

Snowy weather causes gridlock traffic at Logan Airport in Boston

BOSTON – Holiday travel is in full swing with Christmas just days away and travelers at Logan Airport in Boston spent the day dealing with delays from snowy weather.

Delays nationwide

There was gridlock traffic at Logan as travelers embark on their holiday excursions. Donna Ragucci just flew into New England from Florida.

“I am so excited, I get to see my sister and we are going on the trolley today and North End,” Ragucci said.

AAA said snowy weather conditions on Friday led to delays, spinouts and disruptions with flights.

“Overall, we’ve seen a pretty strong volume, which is what we forecasted, a record number of people traveling this year,” said AAA Northeast spokesperson Mark Schieldrop. “There was a storm system that affected a good swath of the country, so Chicago and Boston are two major hub airports, so anytime you have delays or cancellations in one part of the country, we often see a little bit of a domino effect.”

Kevin Walker said this is his first and last time traveling for the holidays.

“Well, we got here yesterday morning and our flight was canceled right when we got here,” said Walker.

AAA said more than 119 million people will travel during from now and Jan. 2. While most flights are on time at Logan there are several delays and cancellations leading to holiday angst.

“Hasn’t been great, my first flight was cancelled and now I guess I didn’t make the cut off for this flight, so now they can’t check the bag but yeah, it’s alright. I got a JetBlue flight tomorrow,” traveler Abbey Reynolds said.

“It’s different because I’m driving this year, so we got the dog coming with us, so I just hope the flight goes OK for the two kiddos and we meet them on the other end,” said a Brookline man heading to North Carolina with his family.

Coping with travel stress

Paul Pierre is heading back to Columbus, Ohio and has his own philosophy when it comes to traveling.

“Don’t let the small stuff upset you. You just go through the airport and you do your best and be kind and you’ll get through it,” Pierre said.

“I’m a therapist, so I practice meditation, go to the gym,” said Ragucci.

“It is what it is, like, I’m not going to get that bent out of shape over it,” said Reynolds.

Paul Burton

Paul Burton is a general assignment reporter for WBZ-TV News.

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Boston, MA

Next Weather: WBZ Mid-Morning Update For December 22

Published

13 hours ago

December 22, 2024

Press Room

Next Weather: WBZ Mid-Morning Update For December 22 – CBS Boston

Watch CBS News

Jacob Wycoff has your latest weather forecast.

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Boston, MA

Orlando hosts Boston following Tatum’s 43-point game

Published

21 hours ago

December 22, 2024

Press Room

Orlando hosts Boston following Tatum’s 43-point game

Associated Press

Boston Celtics (22-6, second in the Eastern Conference) vs. Orlando Magic (18-12, fourth in the Eastern Conference)

Orlando, Florida; Monday, 7 p.m. EST

BOTTOM LINE: Boston visits the Orlando Magic after Jayson Tatum scored 43 points in the Celtics’ 123-98 victory over the Chicago Bulls.

The Magic are 14-7 against Eastern Conference opponents. Orlando is fifth in the Eastern Conference with 10.9 offensive rebounds per game led by Goga Bitadze averaging 2.9.

The Celtics are 20-4 against Eastern Conference opponents. Boston ranks sixth in the Eastern Conference with 10.8 offensive rebounds per game led by Luke Kornet averaging 2.0.

The Magic are shooting 45.2% from the field this season, 0.5 percentage points lower than the 45.7% the Celtics allow to opponents. The Celtics are shooting 45.7% from the field, 0.6% lower than the 46.3% the Magic’s opponents have shot this season.

TOP PERFORMERS: Franz Wagner is averaging 24.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, 5.7 assists and 1.7 steals for the Magic.

Tatum is averaging 28.8 points, 9.3 rebounds and 5.7 assists for the Celtics.

LAST 10 GAMES: Magic: 5-5, averaging 106.4 points, 42.0 rebounds, 22.3 assists, 9.4 steals and 7.6 blocks per game while shooting 46.2% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 106.0 points per game.

Celtics: 7-3, averaging 118.5 points, 49.7 rebounds, 25.7 assists, 7.5 steals and 5.8 blocks per game while shooting 44.8% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 109.7 points.

INJURIES: Magic: Paolo Banchero: out (oblique), Franz Wagner: out (oblique), Jalen Suggs: day to day (ankle), Gary Harris: day to day (hamstring), Moritz Wagner: day to day (knee).

Celtics: Sam Hauser: day to day (back).

___

The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

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