Gulf War Syndrome News and Research

RSS

Gulf war illness – one or two diseases?

A study of veterans who have Gulf war syndrome shows that moderate exercise can bring about a spectrum of brain imaging abnormalities, which fall into one of two groups. This could mean that this is a more complicated illness than was first thought. The study was published on December 12, 2019, in the journal Brain Communications.

12 Dec 2019

Griffith research sheds new light on cause of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

New research findings may shed new light on the potential cause of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME).

12 May 2015

VA to probe deaths of 18 veterans to see if delay in care played a role

Acting Secretary Sloan Gibson announces 18 more veterans kept off an appointment list have died. The department is expected to release more details Monday as officials appear before Congress.

10 Jun 2014

Two definitions of CMI symptoms should guide research and treatment of Gulf War veterans

Two existing definitions of chronic multisymptom illness (CMI) -- one by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and another from a study of Kansas Gulf War veterans -- should be used by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to guide research and treatment of Gulf War veterans, says a new report from the Institute of Medicine.

13 Mar 2014

Parasympathetic dysfunction underpins Gulf War Syndrome

Gulf War veterans with self-reported symptoms of autonomic dysfunction have objective evidence of underlying damage to central and peripheral cholinergic function, a study shows.

4 Dec 2012

Researchers identify abnormal hippocampal blood flow in veterans with Gulf War illness

Blood flow abnormalities found in the brains of veterans with Gulf War illness have persisted 20 years after the war, and in some cases have gotten worse, according to a new study published online in the journal Radiology.

14 Sep 2011

'Aspartame danger' myths

Heard the one about how aspartame single-handedly caused the Gulf War syndrome? In recent years, outlandish allegations – often spread via the Internet by individuals who have little scientific or medical expertise – have tried to link the low-calorie sweetener to every ailment ranging from Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinson's disease to cancer and weight gain. However, the overwhelming body of scientific evidence via more than three decades of research and over 200 studies demonstrate that aspartame is safe.

3 Sep 2010

Deconstruction of biomedical research on pain will improve diagnosis, treatment of chronic pain sufferers

Is the science of diagnosing pain causing a number of pain sufferers to defend their honor? Research out of the University of Cincinnati is examining the diagnosis of pain that evades scientific testing, and the additional emotional suffering that can result for the patient.

17 Aug 2010

Potential hazards of H1N1 vaccine and seasonal flu shot not disclosed, say protesters

As millions of Americans remain concerned about government-recommended flu shots, dozens of citizens dressed in full haz-mat suits will gather Wednesday, October 21, at the entrance to the Centers For Disease Control (CDC) to greet arriving members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.

20 Oct 2009

Latest optical and laser technology in medicine displayed at FiO meeting

From scopes that help premature babies breathe to techniques for imaging live neurons and beating hearts as they develop, the latest optical and laser technology being deployed in medicine and the biosciences will be on display at the Optical Society's (OSA) Annual Meeting, Frontiers in Optics (FiO), which takes place Oct. 11-15 at the Fairmont San Jose Hotel and the Sainte Claire Hotel in San Jose, Calif.

1 Oct 2009

UT Southwestern regrets VA's unilateral decision to not renew the Gulf War research contract

We regret the VA's unilateral decision to not renew the contract supporting vital research focused on veterans suffering from Gulf War syndrome being carried out by UT Southwestern investigators and their collaborators elsewhere.

27 Aug 2009

Gulf War veterans display abnormal brain response to specific chemicals

A new study by UT Southwestern Medical Center researchers is the first to pinpoint damage inside the brains of veterans suffering from Gulf War syndrome - a finding that links the illness to chemical exposures and may lead to diagnostic tests and treatments.

22 Mar 2009

Deep brain mapping to pinpoint specific are of brain associated with Gulf War syndrome

Researchers at Southern Methodist University in Dallas are pioneering the use of spatial statistical modeling to analyze brain scan data from Persian Gulf War veterans, aiming to pinpoint specific areas of the their brains affected by Gulf War Syndrome.

19 Nov 2008

Gulf War Syndrome more prevalent in first Persian Gulf War veterans

Comparing veterans deployed in the first Persian Gulf War and veterans deployed elsewhere at the same time has revealed veterans who served in the Persian Gulf have nearly twice the prevalence of chronic multi-symptom illness (CMI), a cluster of symptoms similar to a set of conditions often called Gulf War Syndrome.

5 Jan 2006

Research shows specific damage to nervous system in veterans with Gulf War syndrome

UT Southwestern researchers report that damage to the parasympathetic nervous system may account for nearly half of the typical symptoms - including gallbladder disease, unrefreshing sleep, depression, joint pain, chronic diarrhea and sexual dysfunction - that afflict those with Gulf War syndrome. Their findings will be published in the October issue of the American Journal of Medicine and are currently available online.

27 Sep 2004

1 in every 20 UK servicemen who served in the first Gulf war believes that they have Gulf war Syndrome

A study of UK Gulf war servicemen, the largest to date, shows that forces deployed to the first Gulf War report more ill health than veterans who did not serve there. The study is published today in BMC Public Health.

13 Jul 2004

Extension of vaccination programs against anthrax to include U.S. forces in the Pacific Commands including Korea

William Winkenwerder, Jr., MD, assistant secretary of defense for health affairs has announced the extension of the vaccination programs against anthrax to include U.S. forces in the Pacific Commands including Korea.

4 Jul 2004