Associated Disorders
The following 30+ complex chronic conditions share striking similarities in symptoms (like severe fatigue, brain fog, mood changes, anxiety, depression, and sleep issues), comorbidities, and even responses to certain treatments. Studying these conditions in clusters is key to breaking down research silos, enabling more accurate diagnosis, accelerating patient-centered research, and ultimately driving better standards of care. Click below to expand the full list.
1. Infection-Associated Chronic Conditions (IACC)
IACCs are debilitating chronic inflammatory conditions characterized by systemic and neuroinflammation.
- Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS)
- Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome (or Chronic Lyme)
- Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS)
- Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorder associated with Streptococcal Infection (PANDAS)
- Long COVID
- POTS
- Other IACCIs
2. Systemic Autoimmune and Immune-Mediated Conditions
Individuals suffering from the following chronic inflammatory conditions are at increased risk of developing neuropsychiatric conditions or other conditions associated with chronic inflammation.
- Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS)
- Celiac, Crohn’s & Ulcerative Colitis
- Autoimmune Forms of Arthritis
- Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
- Ankylosing Spondylitis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Psoriatic arthritis
- Autoimmune Encephalitis
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
- Myasthenia Gravis
- Sjögren’s Disease
- Lupus (All Types)
- Endometriosis
- Narcolepsy
- Psoriasis
3. Neurological, Neuropsychiatric, & Behavioral Conditions Associated with Neuroinflammation
Emerging research suggests that a subset of neurological and psychiatric conditions is associated with unresolved chronic inflammation that can impact mood and behavior.
- Eating Disorders (Anorexia, Bulimia, ARFID)
- Autism with Acute Regression
- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
- Tourette’s & Tic Disorders
- OCD & Anxiety Disorders
- Major Depression
- Bipolar Disorder
- Migraines
- PTSD
4. Common Comorbidities Associated with Complex Chronic Conditions
Individuals suffering from infection-associated chronic conditions, systemic autoimmune, and immune-mediated conditions are at increased risk of having the following comorbidities, including but not limited to the following:
- Fibromyalgia
- Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS)
- Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS)
IACCs are debilitating chronic inflammatory conditions characterized by chronic systemic inflammation and neuroinflammation.
- Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS)
- Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome (or Chronic Lyme)
- Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS)
- Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorder associated with Streptococcal Infection (PANDAS)
- Long COVID
- Post-infectious POTS
- Other IACCIs
Individuals suffering from the following chronic inflammatory conditions are at increased risk of developing neuropsychiatric conditions or other conditions associated with chronic inflammation.
- Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS)
- Celiac, Crohn’s & Ulcerative Colitis
- Autoimmune Forms of Arthritis
- Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
- Ankylosing Spondylitis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Psoriatic arthritis
- Autoimmune Encephalitis
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
- Myasthenia Gravis
- Sjögren’s Disease
- Lupus (All Types)
- Endometriosis
- Narcolepsy
- Psoriasis
Emerging research suggests that a subset of neurological and psychiatric conditions is associated with unresolved chronic inflammation that can impact mood and behavior.
- Eating Disorders (Anorexia, Bulimia, ARFID)
- Autism with Acute Regression
- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
- Tourette’s & Tic Disorders
- OCD & Anxiety Disorders
- Major Depression
- Bipolar Disorder
- Migraines
- PTSD
Individuals suffering from infection-associated chronic conditions, systemic autoimmune, and immune-mediated conditions are at increased risk of having the following comorbidities, including but not limited to the following:
- Fibromyalgia
- Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS)
- Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS)
Infection and Brain Inflammation
One theory underlying chronic brain inflammation is when the body’s response to infection leads to sustained cytokine release. (Cytokines are small proteins that control activity of the immune system.)
This leads to the production of distress signals that damage the endothelial cells forming the blood brain barrier (BBB). When immune cells migrate across the BBB, brain tissue becomes vulnerable to further damage from inflammatory processes.
Infection Associated Chronic Conditions (IACCs) are chronic medical conditions that are initially triggered by an infection (including viruses and allergies). Some examples of infections associated with chronic brain inflammation and altered immune system function are:
- Streptococcal bacteria (Sydenham chorea, Pediatric Autoimmune) Neuropsychiatric Syndrome Associated with Streptococcus- PANDAS)
- Ebstein-Barr Virus & Mononucleosis (multiple sclerosis, chronic fatigue)
- Tick bite (Lyme disease)
- COVID-19 (brain fog, Long COVID, post Covid psychosis)
- urinary tract infection (UTI) (delirium)
- dental bacteria (including an abscessed tooth), periodontal disease, and gingivitis (Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, depression, OCD, PANS)
- Viral or bacterial infections (ME/CFS, POTS, Narcolepsy, PANS)
Common Comorbidities
Chronic brain inflammation is associated with a wide range of disorders. Some of these are neurobehavioral, but many affect the whole body too. Even the disorders with mostly neurobehavioral symptoms vary a lot depending on which areas of the brain are affected. Scientists are now trying to understand the role of inflammation in these illnesses, but more research is needed.
Mental Health Disorders
Neurobehavioral mental health disorders such as depression, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), depression, and some eating disorders.
PANDAS/PANS
Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections (PANDAS) and Pediatric Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS)
ME/CFS
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) is a complex, chronic condition that is characterized by severe fatigue and can impact the whole body.
Autoimmune Diseases
Some autoimmune diseases include rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, Sjogren’s, autoimmune encephalitis, inflammatory bowel disease.
Neurological Conditions
Including postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), tic disorders, ADHD, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and multiple sclerosis.
Long COVID
Long COVID or long-haul COVID is a group of health problems persisting or developing after an initial period of COVID-19 infection.
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Patient Stories
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