Mount Sinai Launches Cohen Center for Recovery From Complex Chronic Illnesses

The Mount Sinai Health System has unveiled the Cohen Center for Recovery From Complex Chronic Illnesses (CoRE), a pioneering facility dedicated to addressing the pressing healthcare needs of individuals with infection-associated chronic conditions (IACC). Located at The Mount Sinai Hospital on Manhattan's Upper East Side, this $10 million state-of-the-art center combines cutting-edge clinical care, innovative research, and advanced diagnostic capabilities to provide holistic treatment for patients with conditions such as long COVID, myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), tick-borne illnesses like Lyme disease, and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS).

Meeting the Needs of a Growing Population

Millions of people worldwide develop debilitating symptoms after surviving acute viral or bacterial infections. These infection-associated chronic conditions manifest as complex, long-lasting health challenges. The Cohen Center is at the forefront of addressing these needs by offering evidence-based medicine and personalized care, emphasizing both symptom management and the identification of root causes.

“Our mission is to establish CoRE as a global leader in understanding and treating complex chronic illnesses,” said Dr. David Putrino, Nash Family Director of CoRE. “We are committed to using rapid, action-oriented research and clinical innovations to provide solutions for patients who urgently need them.”

Conditions Treated at CoRE

CoRE was initially designed to specialize in treating long COVID. Its scope has since expanded to include Long Covid, ME/CFS, Tick Borne Illnesses, and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome:

• Long COVID: Chronic symptoms following SARS-CoV-2 infection, including fatigue, brain fog, and autonomic dysfunction.
• ME/CFS: A condition often triggered by viral infections, characterized by profound fatigue, post-exertional malaise, and cognitive difficulties.
• Tick-Borne and Vector-Borne Illnesses: Persistent symptoms arising after bacterial infections such as Lyme disease.
• Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS): A connective tissue disorder frequently associated with long COVID, ME/CFS, and tick-borne illnesses.

These conditions share overlapping biological features, such as immune dysfunction, autonomic nervous system dysregulation, and vascular instability. By addressing these shared mechanisms, CoRE provides a unified approach to treatment.

Advanced Diagnostics and Testing for Dysautonomia, Lyme, and other Neuroimmune conditions

Every patient at CoRE undergoes comprehensive assessments to evaluate various aspects of their health. Key testing areas include:

• Metabolic and hormonal regulation
• Immune function and viral activity
• Vascular and endothelial function
• Autonomic nervous system health
• Cognitive function
• Tick-borne and vector-borne pathogen screening

The facility’s autonomic testing clinic features advanced tools such as tilt-table testing, continuous blood pressure monitoring, and sudomotor testing. These tests provide insights into autonomic nervous system performance, a critical factor for many patients with IACC.

Personalized Rehabilitation Programs

CoRE’s rehabilitation programs are designed to address the unique challenges faced by each patient. Available therapies include:

• Autonomic Rehabilitation: Specialized physical therapy to improve autonomic nervous system function.
• VR/AR Therapy: Virtual and augmented reality tools for chronic pain management.
• Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation: Techniques to alleviate cognitive impairments and chronic pain.
• Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation: Advanced care for hypermobile joint disorders associated with EDS.
• Breathwork and Electrophysical Interventions: Tailored treatments for improving overall physiological health.

Cutting-Edge Research and Clinical Trials for Long Covid, ME/CFS, EDS and More

With support from donors like the Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation and partnerships with organizations such as the PolyBio Research Foundation, CoRE is advancing clinical research to uncover novel therapies. Current research initiatives include:

• Antiviral treatments for persistent infections linked to long COVID.
• Lumbrokinase therapy, aimed at dissolving microclots believed to exacerbate symptoms in ME/CFS and long COVID.

These studies aim to refine diagnostic protocols and develop groundbreaking treatments to improve patient outcomes.

Healing-Centered Design

The Cohen Center’s facility has been designed with patient well-being in mind, utilizing biophilic design principles to create a calming environment. Features such as natural light, soft color palettes, and infection prevention measures—including HEPA filters and germicidal UV light—help reduce environmental stressors and enhance recovery.

A Model for Comprehensive Chronic Care

In addition to its clinical and research capabilities, CoRE offers support services such as:

• Remote patient monitoring and telehealth
• Neuropsychology and psychology support
• Peer support networks
• Patient care navigators and dedicated social workers

These services ensure that patients receive continuous, coordinated care tailored to their unique needs.

Setting The New Standard for Complex Chronic Illnesses

The Cohen Center for Recovery From Complex Chronic Illnesses serves as a model for institutions worldwide, demonstrating the power of integrated clinical care and research to transform the lives of individuals with chronic illnesses. By addressing the root causes of IACC and developing innovative treatment strategies, CoRE is paving the way for a brighter future for millions of patients.

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Additional information:

Mount Sinai and the Cohen center are not affiliated with The EDS Clinic.
For appointments at Mount Sinai or more information, contact CoRE at (212) 241-7658 or core@mountsinai.org.
The Cohen Center is located at 5 East 98th Street, New York, NY 10029.

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References

1. The Cohen Center for Recovery From Complex Chronic Illnesses
2. Mount Sinai Opens State-of-the-Art Center for Patients With Complex Conditions Including Lyme Disease and Long COVID

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