Breathing problems after deployment to Iraq or Afghanistan
Post-Deployment Respiratory Syndrome in Veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan
This project looks at why some Iraq and Afghanistan veterans have long-term breathing problems and seeks easier, less risky ways to diagnose them.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Veterans Health Administration NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Nashville, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11110291 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If I join, researchers will follow veterans who developed unexplained shortness of breath after deployment to Iraq or Afghanistan and collect clinical information and lung test results over time. They will review lung tissue from biopsies to look for patterns of immune activity and signs of constrictive bronchiolitis and compare those findings with veterans' reported exposures during deployment. The team will use imaging, breathing tests, and tissue analyses to try to link specific inhalational exposures to the lung changes seen on biopsy. The goal is to learn how the condition evolves and whether non‑surgical tests can be developed to reduce the need for risky lung biopsies.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are U.S. veterans who deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan and have unexplained exertional shortness of breath or other persistent respiratory symptoms despite prior evaluations.
Not a fit: Patients whose breathing problems are already explained by a clear diagnosis such as well‑controlled asthma, heart failure, or other non‑deployment causes may not benefit from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to safer, non‑invasive ways to diagnose deployment‑related lung disease and clearer guidance on exposures that cause lasting harm.
How similar studies have performed: A prior case series found constrictive bronchiolitis on surgical biopsy in many affected veterans, but there has been no large follow‑up or validated non‑invasive diagnostic test yet.
Where this research is happening
Nashville, United States
- Veterans Health Administration — Nashville, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Richmond, Bradley Winston — Veterans Health Administration
- Study coordinator: Richmond, Bradley Winston
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.