Validating Blood Markers of Brain Immune and Metabolic Problems in Gulf War Illness Studying Veterans Aged 35 and Older with Gulf War Illness or Without Symptoms

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are investigating blood lipids and metabolites linked to cognitive decline in veterans with Gulf War Illness GWI, focusing on those who carry the APOE 4 allele. This observational study aims to understand how dietary, medical, and biological factors affect these blood markers and how they relate to brain bioenergetics deficits and glial activation seen in GWI. The goal is to validate blood biomarker signatures that correlate with central nervous system dysfunction in GWI, improving objective assessment of this complex condition. Participants include Gulf War veterans from 1990-1991, divided into groups based on whether they have GWI symptoms according to Kansas or CDC criteria or do not have GWI symptoms. The study does not involve treatment but collects blood samples and data to analyze lipid and metabolite profiles. Researchers assess how these profiles relate to brain imaging findings and genetic factors like the APOE 4 allele. During the study, participants undergo evaluations including cognitive and symptom assessments, blood draws for lipid and metabolite analysis, and possibly brain imaging to measure bioenergetics and inflammation. The primary outcomes focus on validating blood biomarkers, identifying lipid profiles, and understanding the influence of various factors on these markers related to cognitive decline. The study began in 2022 and will continue through 2026, with careful monitoring of participants health and symptoms throughout.

Validating Gulf War Illness Blood Biomarkers