Status:

RECRUITING

Clinical Evaluation of Montelukast in Veterans With Gulf War Illness

Lead Sponsor:

Baylor College of Medicine

Collaborating Sponsors:

Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center

Texas A&M University

Conditions:

Gulf War Syndrome

Eligibility:

All Genders

50-70 years

Phase:

PHASE1

Brief Summary

The study addresses the pre-clinical promise of Montelukast (MLK) for improving brain function in veterans with Gulf War Illness (GWI). MLK, a US Food and Drug administration (FDA)-approved drug for a...

Detailed Description

Background: Approximately 30% of Gulf War Veterans (1990-1991) suffer from Gulf War Illness (GWI), a chronic condition characterized by disabling symptoms in multiple domains. Animal models and human ...

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion

  • Gulf War Veterans of the U.S. military deployed on military orders to the Persian Gulf Region between August 2, 1990, and December 31, 1991
  • Diagnosed with GWI according to the CDC and modified Kansas criteria as recommended by the Institute of Medicine (IOM), that is, endorse multiple or moderate-to-severe symptoms, with symptom onset during or after deployment to the Persian Gulf region in 1990-1991, persisting for six months or longer, in at least 3 of 6 domains:
  • fatigue/sleep disturbances
  • neurological/cognitive/mood symptoms
  • somatic pain
  • gastrointestinal problems
  • respiratory symptoms
  • skin symptoms
  • Self-reported cognitive dysfunction based on a T-score of 40 or less on the PROMIS v2.0 Cognitive Function 8a short form
  • Be able to:
  • provide written consent and be able to communicate with the research team in verbal and written English
  • attend the two in-person study encounters
  • have reliable telephone service for the eight weekly telephone encounters

Exclusion

  • Diagnosed by a physician with any chronic condition that may explain their profile of symptoms or prevent their ability to accurately report them including:
  • chronic autoimmune conditions
  • systemic inflammatory conditions
  • cancer not in remission at least 5 years
  • congestive heart failure
  • anemia
  • multiple sclerosis
  • amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
  • poorly controlled diabetes
  • post-chemo or radiation syndromes
  • sickle cell anemia
  • symptomatic Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)
  • chronic liver disease
  • chemical insufficiency
  • morbid obesity (body mass index (BMI) \>= 40)
  • human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
  • alcohol/substance use disorder/stimulant/opioid/other depressant misuse in the past year
  • major mental health condition (e.g., psychosis, suicidal ideations, major depressive disorder) that interferes with their ability to accurately report symptoms
  • hospitalized or undergoing invasive procedures in the past 12 months due to exacerbations of any chronic conditions (such as diabetes, coronary artery disease, hypertension, or emphysema)
  • elevated liver enzymes (2.5 times upper limit of normal) at baseline visit
  • estimated glomerular filtration rate less than 60 ml/min/1.73 sqm at baseline visit
  • hemoglobin less than 10 g/L at baseline visit
  • evidence of poorly controlled chronic conditions listed above, or others that may mimic GWI as per the PI, either by self-report, Veterans Health Administration (VHA) electronic health record information review, laboratory testing or physical examination
  • Changes in medications for chronic conditions in the 3 months preceding enrollment (based on self-report)
  • Suicidal ideation based on their responses on the Columbia Suicide Risk Inventory
  • Prescribed or taking Montelukast in the past 6 months for any reason
  • Taking 2 or more medications with moderate interactions with Montelukast
  • Pregnancy or intention to become pregnant
  • Active homicidal ideation
  • COVID-19 illness (confirmed or suspected) without recovery to pre-COVID health status

Key Trial Info

Start Date :

August 15 2025

Trial Type :

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation :

ESTIMATED

End Date :

August 1 2028

Estimated Enrollment :

80 Patients enrolled

Trial Details

Trial ID

NCT05992311

Start Date

August 15 2025

End Date

August 1 2028

Last Update

August 20 2025

Active Locations (1)

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Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center

Houston, Texas, United States, 77030