Gut microbiome, fiber, and short-chain fatty acids in Veterans with Gulf War Illness
Official title: BCCMA: Targeting Gut-Microbiome in Veterans Deployment related Gastrointestinal and Liver diseases; CMA5- Functional metagenomics in GWI-related gut dysfunction
Funded at Wm S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hosp · NIH-11132615 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project tests whether Veterans with Gulf War Illness who have gut problems have lower levels of helpful gut bacteria and short-chain fatty acids, and whether eating more fiber relates to fewer digestive symptoms.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Wm S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hosp NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Madison, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| NIH project number | 5I01CX002471-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11132615 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are Veterans with Gulf War Illness, especially those experiencing chronic gastrointestinal symptoms who can provide stool samples and dietary information.
✕Less likely to help
People without GWI or without GI symptoms, or those unwilling to provide biological samples or diet/symptom information, are unlikely to benefit directly from participation.
What this research studies
You would be asked to provide stool (and possibly blood) samples and information about your diet and GI symptoms so researchers can measure gut bacteria, their genes using metagenomics, and levels of short-chain fatty acids. The team will compare Veterans with GWI who report gut dysfunction to those without gut symptoms to look for differences in microbes and metabolites. They will also examine whether higher dietary fiber intake is linked to better gut markers and fewer symptoms. The goal is to find biological signs in the gut that could point to new treatment approaches for GWI-related digestive problems.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to specific gut bacteria, metabolites, or dietary changes to help reduce GI symptoms in Veterans with GWI.
How similar studies have gone: Prior research shows the microbiome and short-chain fatty acids affect gut health and early work hints at links in GWI, but applying functional metagenomics to GWI-related gut dysfunction is a relatively new approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Wm S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hosp
Madison, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Safdar, Nasia — Wm S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hosp
- Study coordinator: Safdar, Nasia
Related research
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Understanding how gut bacteria affect gastrointestinal diseases in veterans.
This study is looking at how the bacteria in the gut might affect stomach and liver problems in veterans, especially those with Gulf War Illness, to find new ways to help improve their health and ease symptoms like diarrhea and inflammatory bowel diseases.
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Investigating the gut microbiome's role in gastrointestinal issues among Gulf War veterans
This study is looking at how the bacteria in your gut might influence stomach and liver problems in veterans with Gulf War Illness, and it hopes to find ways to improve your gut health and reduce symptoms by examining your diet and gut bacteria.
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.