University of Denver Spring/Summer 2023

RESEARCH Groundbreaking study finds links between long COVID and brain injury

So far, the lab has preliminary data for 48 of the study’s participants, collected through a yearly visit in which partic ipants complete a cognitive assessment and a detailed ques tionnaire and have their blood drawn to check biomarkers. The findings may change over the five-year study as more participants are recruited, but, Linseman and Grossberg say, the preliminary data is clear: Those with a history of COVID-19 and TBI reported more severe long COVID symptoms, a higher symptom burden and more frequent symptoms, even if it’s been decades since their brain injury. When the study began, the scientists anticipated that older people with a history of concussions would report the worst long COVID symptoms. So far in their findings, the opposite is true. That leads Linseman to think that the immune system and neuroinflammation are contributing to the symptomology. “The biggest difference between older and younger people is that younger people have a more robust immune system,” he says. If the Linseman/Grossberg hypothesis is correct, and there’s a neuroinflammatory pathway that’s upended by COVID and TBI, researchers can start to explore potential treatments, particularly one that inhibits the inflammatory pathway.

For one in five Americans who experienced COVID-19, the disease never went away. The symptoms of long COVID— brain fog, fatigue, headaches, chest pain, even digestive problems—affect thousands every day. But University of Denver researchers have uncovered similarities between long COVID and traumatic brain injury (TBI)—findings that offer hope for better treatments. Last year, Daniel Linseman, a professor in the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics who runs the Linseman Laboratory, and Allison Grossberg, a fourth-year doctoral student in the cellular and molecular biology program, began studying the symptoms of individuals in three cat egories: those with a history of TBI but not COVID; those who have had COVID but no TBI history; and those with a history of both. Linseman and Grossberg wanted to determine whether individuals in the last group have worsened long-term neurological and psychological symptoms, increased inflam mation, or an increased risk of neurodegenerative disease and/or autoimmunity. “We’ve known for a while that brain injury produces a strong inflammatory response,” says Grossberg, who is leading the study. “Why would this be any different for infection?” The Grand Canyon offers one of the most pristine night skies in the United States. This spring, astronomy professor Jennifer Hoffman will have the opportunity to conduct research and share her discipline as the Astronomer in Residence at Grand Canyon National Park. During the six-week residency, Hoffman will live and work at the historic Verkamp’s artist residence at the canyon’s South Rim. In her research, Hoffman creates 3D computational simulations of massive binary stars and supernovae. During her residency, she will work on “animating” the simulations, making them move in time instead of producing a static picture. In addition, she will interact with park visitors through activities and presentations. Hoffman believes that science is for everyone. She plans to share her experience with the DU community through a video diary providing glimpses of life on the South Rim. “I think the sky is an underappreciated natural re source. Most people don’t pay much attention to it except when they happen to notice the moon or when something

Professor to study the night sky as the Grand Canyon’s Astronomer in Residence LOOKING UP

big happens like a solar eclipse. But the sky is always there and always changing,” Hoffman says. “My research focuses on short-term changes in faraway astrophysical objects like su pernovae, but the movements of the sun, moon, stars and planets are easy for a casual observer to detect,” she adds. “Becoming more aware of

these motions can help us be more in touch with our sur roundings, feel connected with the ancient people who first tracked changes in the sky and see ourselves as part of our cosmic neighborhood.” Hoffman is the Womble Chair of Astronomy in DU’s Department of Physics and Astronomy. She also directs DU's historic Chamberlin Observatory.

SPRING/SUMMER 2023 • UNIVERSITY of DENVER MAGAZINE | 9