Identifying blood biomarkers for Gulf War Illness
Validating Blood Biomarkers of Brain Immune and Metabolic Dysfunction in Gulf War Illness
This study is trying to find specific blood markers in veterans with Gulf War Illness to see how they relate to memory problems and other brain issues.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Enrollment | 100 (estimated) |
| Ages | 35 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Roskamp Institute Inc. Academic / other |
| Locations | 3 sites (Palo Alto, California and 2 other locations) |
| Trial ID | NCT05736146 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This study aims to identify blood lipids and metabolites that correlate with cognitive decline in veterans suffering from Gulf War Illness (GWI), particularly focusing on those with the APOE ε4 allele. It investigates how dietary, medical, and biological factors influence these blood components and their relationship to brain dysfunction. The research will validate blood biomarker signatures associated with GWI by examining lipid profiles and their connection to neuroinflammation and bioenergetic deficits. The study involves both veterans with GWI and control veterans to establish a comprehensive understanding of the condition.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates include veterans aged 35 and older who served in the 1990-1991 Gulf War and meet specific criteria for Gulf War Illness.
Not a fit: Patients with significant chronic diseases or cancers may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to improved diagnostic tools and targeted treatments for veterans suffering from Gulf War Illness.
How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown promising results in identifying biomarkers related to cognitive decline and neuroinflammation, suggesting this approach may yield valuable insights.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Age 35 years or older. 2. For GWI cases, served in the 1990-1991 Gulf War as active duty, national guard, or reserves and meet criteria for the CDC Chronic Multisymptom Illness (CMI) GWI definition or Kansas GWI definition. 3. For controls, must be a veteran in the same age range as those veterans with GWI as defined above. 4. Ability to understand written and spoken English or availability of a legal representative who can understand written or spoken English. Participants and caregiver/informants must be able to read, write and speak the language in which psychometric tests are provided with visual and auditory acuity (corrected) sufficient to allow for accurate testing. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Diagnosed or being treated by a physician for any of the following (Steele et al, 2000) and deemed clinically significant per the discretion of the PI: 1. Cancer (except for non-melanoma skin cancers) 2. Chronic infectious disease 3. Problems resulting from postwar injuries. 4. Liver disease 5. Lupus 6. Multiple sclerosis 7. Stroke 8. Serious psychiatric condition (those associated with psychosis and/or for which the respondent had been hospitalized since 1991). 9. Dementia or any type of Parkinson's disease (PD). 2. Hospitalized in the last 5 years for alcohol or drug dependence, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). 3. Female subject is either pregnant or nursing.
Where this trial is running
Palo Alto, California and 2 other locations
- Palto Alto Veterans Institute for Research — Palo Alto, California, United States (Recruiting)
- The Roskamp Institute — Sarasota, Florida, United States (Recruiting)
- Boston University — Boston, Massachusetts, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Laila Abdullah, Ph.D. — The Roskamp Institute
- Study coordinator: Dakota Helgager, B.S
- Email: dhelgager@roskampclinic.org
- Phone: (941) - 256 - 8019
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.