Neurological disease risks among 1990–1991 Gulf War and era veterans
Neurological Disease Among 1990-1991 Gulf War and Era Veterans in a Large National Cohort: Onset, Patterns of Occurrence and Association with Deployment Characteristics
This project checks for patterns and timing of neurological diseases like ALS, Parkinson’s, and brain cancer in veterans who served during the 1990–1991 Gulf War.
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 ID | NIH-11206921 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you are a Gulf War–era veteran, researchers will use a large nationwide group of veterans (built from VA and other records) to track when and how neurological conditions appear after service. They will compare veterans who deployed to the Gulf with those who did not and link medical diagnoses to deployment details and possible environmental or chemical exposures. The team will combine military deployment records, VA medical records, cancer registries, and other administrative data to identify disease onset, patterns, and possible exposure associations. Results will focus on adult neurological conditions such as ALS, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, migraines, brain tumors, and dementia.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are U.S. veterans who served during 1990–1991 Gulf War deployment and who have VA or military medical records that can be linked for research.
Not a fit: People who did not serve in the 1990–1991 era or who lack accessible military or medical records are unlikely to be included or benefit directly from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could clarify whether Gulf War service or specific deployment exposures raise the risk or cause earlier onset of serious neurological diseases, informing monitoring, care, and benefit decisions for veterans.
How similar studies have performed: Previous smaller studies have produced mixed or inconclusive findings about links between Gulf War service and neurological disease, so this larger national cohort approach is intended to provide clearer evidence.
Where this research is happening
Houston, United States
- 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 below.