As we continue to study the long-term effects of COVID-19, post-infectious complications commonly known as “long COVID” symptoms remain a significant health concern affecting millions of patients, including many Arizona residents.

A clinical research study, conducted by CND Life Sciences and based in Scottsdale, is seeking Arizona residents to participate in research that analyzes important biomarkers in the skin for neurological insights related to long COVID. If you are interested in participating in this important clinical research study, please visit cndlifesciences.com/lccsstudy.  

CND is a leader in cutaneous neurodiagnostics, pioneering innovative science that enables the detection and visualization of abnormal proteins and other pathological markers in the nerves of the skin. Results from CND’s diagnostic testing help clinicians and patients understand potential signs of certain neurological disorders and can assist in the development of new treatments.  

Operating a CLIA-certified and CAP-accredited laboratory in Scottsdale, Arizona, CND launched the Syn-One Test® in 2019 as the world’s first commercially available test to detect, visualize and quantify phosphorylated alpha-synuclein located in cutaneous nerves.

The test, which analyzes small skin biopsies collected from patients in a clinician’s office, improves the diagnostic accuracy of diseases like Parkinson’s disease and related disorders and has the potential to detect other neuropathologies. 

Given the growing number of long COVID patients in Arizona, CND believes it is essential to gain a better understanding of the underlying pathophysiology of these patients, and study how CND’s technology offers a unique opportunity to do so by visualizing the sensory and autonomic nerves through simple skin biopsies. 

Symptoms of long COVID may include fatigue, worsening symptoms after physical or mental exertion, joint pain, gastrointestinal discomfort and a variety of neurological complaints, such as difficulty thinking, sleep disorders, dizziness when standing, feeling pins and needles, loss of smell or taste, depression and anxiety. In rare cases, COVID has been associated with the development of Parkinson’s disease. 

The neurological symptoms of long COVID imply dysfunction in the sensory or autonomic nerves. Small studies have suggested that, upon careful evaluation, some long COVID patients have demonstrable damage to their sensory and autonomic nerves, which can be detected through skin biopsies. 

“COVID-19 has taught us many things, and we believe that we can accelerate medical innovations to treat vulnerable populations of patients if we put the right resources and vigor behind them,” said Dr. Todd Levine, chief medical officer of CND. “This study of long COVID patients is an important investigation to understand how nerves in the skin might provide important pathological answers for patients.” 

With a simple skin biopsy, Arizona residents can help contribute to research on neurological conditions that may be associated with long COVID in an ongoing clinical research study. 

To learn more or to enroll in the study, visit cndlifesciences.com/lccsstudy. 

ClinicalTrials.gov ID NCT07005947