Actively Recruiting
Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation and Brain Imaging for Gulf War Syndrome
Led by Emory University · Updated on 2026-04-22
130
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
205 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
E
Emory University
Lead Sponsor
C
Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
The main goal of the proposed study is to critically evaluate a nonpharmacological and readily available therapy, cranial electrical stimulation (CES) using Alpha-Stim™, and to discover the brain function mechanisms underlying Gulf War Illness-related Headache and Pain (GWI-HAP) and treatment response to CES. For this objective, the investigators will employ an adaptive trial design as well as a neuroimaging technique using MRI, which has become the pre-eminent technique for assessing the integrity of brain function, connectivity, and organization in healthy brain and pathology.
CONDITIONS
Official Title
Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation and Brain Imaging for Gulf War Syndrome
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Male or female aged 40 to 80 years old
- Meet Gulf War Illness criteria based on CDC and Kansas standards
- CDC criteria: symptoms in at least 2 categories (fatigue; mood and cognition; musculoskeletal) lasting 6 months or more
- Kansas criteria: symptoms in at least 3 of 6 domains since 1990 without exclusionary diagnoses
- Report consistent daily pain of 4 or higher on the Defense and Veterans Pain Rating Scale for more than 90 days before enrollment
- Have intact skin free of infection at the electrode placement site (earlobe)
- Willing and able to understand and participate in the consent process
- Be right-handed for consistency in brain structure and function
You will not qualify if you...
- Currently pregnant
- History of drug abuse or severe uncontrolled psychiatric illness (schizophrenia or major depressive disorder with suicidal thoughts)
- Skin conditions like psoriasis vulgaris that increase infection risk at electrode sites
- Starting new medications or treatments for symptoms during the study
- Severe anxiety, claustrophobia, or inability to lie still during MRI scans without sedation
- Implanted electrical devices incompatible with MRI (e.g., vagal stimulator, pacemaker, spinal pain pump)
- History of seizures or neurological conditions affecting brain structure
- Allergy to metals used in CES electrodes
- Diagnosed autoimmune diseases that explain pain symptoms better than Gulf War Illness
AI-Screening
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Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Emory Clinic
Atlanta, Georgia, United States, 30307
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
K
Katherine Egan, RN, CCRC
CONTACT
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
TREATMENT
Number of Arms
3
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