Investigating neurological diseases in Gulf War veterans from 1990-1991.
Official title: Neurological Disease Among 1990-1991 Gulf War and Era Veterans in a Large National Cohort: Onset, Patterns of Occurrence and Association with Deployment Characteristics
Funded at Michael E Debakey VA Medical Center · NIH-10927697 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at Gulf War veterans to see if their time in service is linked to developing neurological diseases like ALS and Parkinson’s, so we can better understand their long-term health needs.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Michael E Debakey VA Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | October 1, 2024 |
| Project end | September 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| NIH project number | 1I01CX002738-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10927697 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are veterans who served in the Gulf War between 1990 and 1991 and are experiencing neurological symptoms or diseases.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who did not serve in the Gulf War or those without neurological symptoms may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding the risk of developing neurological diseases among veterans who served in the Gulf War from 1990 to 1991. It aims to evaluate a large cohort of approximately 140,000 Gulf War veterans to identify patterns of neurological disease onset and their association with deployment characteristics. The study will examine conditions such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Parkinson’s disease, brain cancer, and other neurological disorders. By analyzing data on exposure to various hazards during deployment, the research seeks to provide insights into the long-term health effects faced by these veterans.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and potentially better management of neurological diseases in Gulf War veterans.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has indicated potential links between military service and increased risk of neurological diseases, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Michael E Debakey VA Medical Center
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: White, Donna Lorraine — Michael E Debakey VA Medical Center
- Study coordinator: White, Donna Lorraine
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.