RESEARCH MISSION
Our mission is to fund and participate in global research to investigate health implications, improve the lived experience and enable recovery.
CO PRODUCTION
We welcome invitations to co -produce quality research where patients are involved from design concept to publication and adhere to the four HRA principles for meaningful involvement of patients and the public in health and social care research.
CONSULTATION
Our team and members of our Youth Advisory Panel provide consultancy for researchers, policy creation and service development to ensure these are purposeful, meaningful and beneficial for families, children and young people.
Publications
Mechanisms
Autoimmuniity
1
Infection triggers autoimmunity as seen for example in Lupus. Here, the induction of autoimmune antibodies to different proteins in the body would be compatible with many of the diverse symptoms described, from microclots to endotheliitis and brain fog.
Endotheliitis
2
This is where the lining of blood vessels becomes inflamed due to abnormal presence of white blood cells in the vessel lining. This in turn prevents oxygen getting into the tissues. The overall effect is to cause various problems with the end organ including heart, lung, kidney and brain.
Abnormal microclots
3
This is where little clots form in the very small blood vessels supplying the end organ such as heart, lung, kidney and brain. This means that blood is unable to deliver oxygen to the tissues efficiently, leading to worsening function in the end organ.
Platelet activation
4
This is a series of responses which allow platelets to react after an injury. Due to abnormal platelet activation SARS-CoV-2 infection can cause problems with the blood flow in small vessels.
The virus remains within the body.
5
The virus persists in certain areas of the body, such as the gut and brain, long after a person becomes infected – this can potentially cause chronic, immune stim- ulation.Infection triggers autoimmunity as seen for example in Lupus. Here, the induction of autoimmune antibodies to different proteins in the body would be compatible with many of the diverse symptoms described, from microclots to endotheliitis and brain fog.
Brain effects
6
Brain effects might be due to SARS-CoV-2 infecting cells within the brain that help support the nerve cells, which can both cause direct damage, as well as triggering inflammatory responses that can interfere with neural function.
Dysregulated immunity
7
The idea that, as in glandular fever, the presence of virus disturbs the regulation of normal immune function.