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Research Staff             

Dr. Deborah Duricka serves as Neuroversion's Clinical Research Scientist. She also holds the rank of Affiliate Assistant Professor of Health Sciences at the WWAMI School Medical Education (University of Alaska Anchorage campus). Dr. Duricka received her Bachelor's of Science in Biochemistry from UCLA and her PhD in Neuroscience from Washington State University. She has been a staff scientist at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, the Huntsman Cancer Institute, Amgen, Proctor and Gamble, and Novartis. Topics of research have included molecular genetics/genomics, pathophysiology of heart disease and metabolic syndromes, the neuroscience of sleep, genetic identification of human pathogens, and the pathophysiology (disordered physiological processes associated with disease) of congenital cytomegalovirus infection. Her range of knowledge is extraordinarily broad as a result. Dr. Duricka has published her work in prestigious scientific journals including Genetics, Journal of Biological Chemistry, Biochemical Journal, Journal of Virology, and Journal of Neuroimmunology. Recent publications are listed at the bottom of this page.

 

Dr. Duricka's current research is focused on Long COVID and ME/CFS (myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome).

According to the 2015 report from the Institute of Medicine (now called the National Academy of Medicine), up to 2.5 million Americans suffer from ME/CFS, mostly undiagnosed due to the lack of medical expertise and resources for the disease.

According to the US Government Accountability Office report (March 2022), approximately 7-23 million Americans (and counting) suffer from Long COVID.

Current Research


Dr. Duricka has been awarded a Ramsay Research Grant from Solve M.E., joining the network of #RamsayResearchers dedicated to ME/CFS. You can find a project summary for the study here.

You can view information about our pilot studies and clinical trials (including recruitment status) here.

How Can I Get Involved in Research?

Interested in joining a clinical trial or pilot study at Neuroversion?
The first step is to be referred to us by your physician for the condition being studied.

Additional opportunities to participate in research are listed below.
 
1) Join Solve Together: This is a dynamic, patient-centered platform that integrates multiple data sources designed to speed up the discovery of treatments and cures. You can create reports for your doctors, sync health-tracking wearables, and discern your distinct symptom and health trends. Solve Together will also enable Solve M.E., a non-profit organization dedicated to making breakthroughs in ME/CFS and Long COVID possible, to connect researchers like Dr. Duricka with individuals interested in participating in clinical research studies. Any U.S. adult can join, whether you have ME/CFS, Long COVID, other post-viral fatigue-related illnesses, or none of these conditions (serving as “Control” participants). Joining is free, voluntary, and participants can opt out anytime. Find more information by clicking on the "Solve M.E." image to the right.

2) Find a study on ClinicalTrials.gov: Legitimate clinical trials are registered on the ClinicalTrials.gov website, a free service of the National Institute of Health (NIH) provided through the National Library of Medicine (NLM).
You can search the website by clicking on the "Find a Study" image to the right.
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What are ME/CFS and Long COVID?

Courtesy of Solve M.E.

Myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), formerly known as chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), is a chronic, complex, neuroimmune disease that profoundly limits the health and productivity of patients and is often triggered by an infection. Long COVID describes a collection of lingering symptoms following COVID-19.

ME/CFS and Long COVID are thought to be related as they both can follow infection and exhibit many of the same prevalent symptoms: crippling fatigue, post-exertional malaise, and cognitive dysfunction. There is no cure for either, nor are there any FDA-approved drugs or treatment so there is a dire need for more research into these disorders.

Neuroversion is grateful to Solve M.E. for their work with the scientific, medical, and pharmaceutical communities, advocacy with government agencies, and alliances with patient groups around the world to lay the foundation for breakthroughs that can improve the lives of millions who suffer from various “long haul” diseases.

Could You Have ME/CFS?

​(Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome)
Courtesy of Centers for Disease Control & Surveillance (CDC)

Recent Publications


Liu LD, Duricka DL. Stellate ganglion block reduces symptoms of Long COVID: A case series. J Neuroimmunol. 2022 Jan 15;362:577784. doi: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2021.577784. Epub 2021 Dec 8. PMID: 34922127; PMCID: PMC8653406.
 

Duricka DL, Liu LD. Stellate Ganglion Block (SGB) improves symptoms of Long COVID/Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 (PASC). Abstract and Invited Presentation with NIH travel award, International Association for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, 2022 Medical & Scientific Conference. Stony Brook NY

 

Liu LD, Duricka DL. Stellate Ganglion Block (SGB) improves symptoms of ME/CFS: a Case Series. Abstract & Invited Presentation, International Association for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, 2022 Medical & Scientific Conference. Stony Brook NY

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Deborah Duricka PhD; David Provenzano, MD; Dhaese, Pierre PhD; Richard North, MD, Lawrence Poree MD PhD. Device Explant Disposition: An Institute of Neuromodulation Survey. Abstract & Invited Presentation, North American Neuromodulation Society 25th Annual Meeting, Orlando FL, 2022

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