Gulf War chemical exposures and early signs of Parkinson's disease
Official title: An investigation of the relationship between toxicant exposures during Gulf War deployment and prodromal Parkinson's disease.
Funded at Veterans Affairs Med Ctr San Francisco · NIH-11511690 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at whether deployment-related chemical exposures are linked to early Parkinson's signs in Gulf War veterans.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Veterans Affairs Med Ctr San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2013 |
| Project end | December 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| NIH project number | 5I01CX000798-11 |
| Project ID | NIH-11511690 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are veterans who served in the 1991 Gulf War, particularly those who report deployment-related chemical exposures or ongoing Gulf War illness symptoms.
✕Less likely to help
People who were not deployed to the 1991 Gulf War or who already have a confirmed diagnosis of Parkinson's disease are unlikely to benefit from this specific project.
What this research studies
You would be part of research comparing Gulf War veterans' deployment-related chemical exposures and the kinds of symptoms that often appear before Parkinson's disease. The team uses veterans' self-reported exposure histories and clinical symptom information to look for patterns that match Parkinson's non-motor signs like fatigue, sleep problems, and cognitive changes. Researchers combine these reports with medical records and other clinical data to explore whether exposure history relates to later neurological changes. The goal is to better understand risk among veterans who served in the 1991 Gulf War.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could help identify Gulf War veterans at higher risk for Parkinson's-related problems so they can get earlier monitoring and supportive care.
How similar studies have gone: Some prior studies and preliminary data suggest links between toxicant exposures and Parkinson's-like non-motor symptoms, but direct evidence specifically in Gulf War veterans remains limited.
Where this research is happening
-
Veterans Affairs Med Ctr San Francisco
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chao, Linda L — Veterans Affairs Med Ctr San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Chao, Linda L
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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.