Veen, Délano van der (2025) Retrospective Evaluation of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors and Low-Dose Naltrexone in Post-COVID Neurocognitive Dysfunction (REVIVE). thesis, Medicine.
Full text available on request.Abstract
Post-COVID syndrome (PCS) is characterized by persistent symptoms following a SARS-CoV-2 infection, often including neurocognitive complaints such as brain fog and hypersensitivity to stimuli. Due to a limited availability of treatment options, there has been growing interest in off-label and experimental therapies, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and low-dose naltrexone (LDN). This retrospective cohort study, conducted at the Frisius Medical Center Leeuwarden, aimed to evaluate the effects of SSRIs and LDN on neurocognitive symptoms in patients with PCS. Collected data included baseline characteristics, PCS symptoms, treatment details, and follow-up outcomes. Baseline characteristics and treatment effects were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Of the 40 included patients (37.5% male, mean age 44.9 ± 13.4 years), 30 initially received an SSRI and 10 received LDN. The mean duration between outpatient clinic visits was 96.6 ± 59.5 days. Among those with neurocognitive symptoms treated with an SSRI (n=26) and LDN (n=7), 44.0% and 28.6% reported improvement at the first revision after treatment initiation, respectively. Although few patients reported worsening of symptoms, the majority experienced either no change or improvement. Discontinuation due to side effects or lack of effect occurred in 42.5% of cases. Side effects occurred in both groups but were generally mild. While these findings do not support a radical change in treatment guidelines, they do suggest that SSRIs and LDN may be considered safe and potentially effective treatment options for PCS patients. Additionally, they highlight the need for further research regarding these therapies.
| Item Type: | Thesis (UNSPECIFIED) |
|---|---|
| Supervisor name: | Kuijvenhoven - Varkevisser, Jolanda |
| Faculty: | Medical Sciences |
| Date Deposited: | 18 Feb 2026 14:17 |
| Last Modified: | 18 Feb 2026 14:17 |
| URI: | https://umcg.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/3893 |
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