Using Coenzyme Q10 to help veterans with Gulf War illness

Coenzyme Q10 for Gulf War Illness: A Replication Study

Phase 3 Interventional University of California, San Diego · NCT06515184

This study is testing if a special form of coenzyme Q10 can help veterans with Gulf War illness feel better and improve their quality of life.

Quick facts

PhasePhase 3
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment192 (estimated)
Ages50 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorUniversity of California, San Diego Academic / other
Locations1 site (La Jolla, California)
Trial IDNCT06515184 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a high-quality preparation of coenzyme Q10 (ubiquinone) in improving symptoms, functionality, and quality of life for veterans suffering from Gulf War illness. Participants will receive either the active supplement or a placebo in a randomized manner. The study will include veterans who meet specific deployment and symptom criteria and will involve remote participation for assessments. Blood draws will be conducted at local facilities to monitor health outcomes throughout the study.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are veterans who meet CDC and Kansas criteria for Gulf War illness and have rated their health prior to deployment as 'very good' or 'excellent'.

Not a fit: Patients currently participating in another clinical trial or those with ongoing adverse effects from previous medications may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could provide a new treatment option to alleviate symptoms and improve the quality of life for veterans with Gulf War illness.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have indicated potential benefits of coenzyme Q10 in various conditions, but this specific application for Gulf War illness is being explored in this replication study.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Meets both CDC and Kansas deployment and symptom inclusion criteria.
* Does not have a disqualifying condition.
* Able to travel to a local Quest facility for study blood draws.
* Adequate internet access to allow ZoomPro visit participation and remote survey completion.
* Health prior to the Gulf War rated as "very good" or "excellent" (to exclude persons who may have had other health conditions with different mechanisms as the cause of their symptoms).
* Willing to defer initiation of discretionary treatments or supplements during the expected course of study participation.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Participating in another clinical trial.
* Still-evolving adverse effects following another medication or health condition, such as covid or fluoroquinolone use.
* On Coumadin/ warfarin.
* Unable to participate for the required duration of the study.

Where this trial is running

La Jolla, California

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Gulf War SyndromePersian Gulf SyndromeMitochondrial Disorder, Respiratory Chain
Last reviewed 2026-06-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.