Veterans' Healthy Living, Fall 2013
Operation Thank You Salutes Our Veterans
What is Gulf War Illness?
At this time, Gulf War Illness, also known as Gulf War Syndrome, cannot be clearly defined because the root cause is unknown, and the unexplained chronic symptoms emerge differently among 1990-1991 Gulf War Veterans.
Dr. Christopher Brady, Director of Scientific Operations, VA Gulf War Veterans’ Illnesses Biorepository, explains. "The clusters of symptoms present differently across Veterans, and that’s part of the complexity of understanding the disease. For example, some folks may have muscular problems, whereas others may have problems with attention, memory, and thinking. That is one reason we are now 22 years down the road and still trying to figure out what exactly is going on with these Veterans," he said.
What is VA doing to help solve the mystery of Gulf War Illness?
The Gulf War Veterans’ Illnesses Biorepository (GWVIB) brain bank is seeking Veterans of the 1990-1991 Gulf War who would like to participate in research about conditions affecting Gulf War Veterans. Veterans enrolled in the GWVIB complete surveys about their health every six months, and upon their death, donate their brain and other body tissue for future Gulf War Veterans’ Illnesses research.
Should you wait until you are older or experiencing health complications to enroll?
No! "We want Gulf War Veterans to enroll as soon as possible so we can give them regular health questionnaires," said Brady. "Then, upon their death, when they donate their brain and other tissue, it will be immensely valuable because we have all of their health history while they were living and will be able to analyze how those conditions may affect the brain. It’s a living study even though the end point is after the Veteran’s death."
Is the GWVIB seeking only Veterans who are experiencing problematic symptoms?
This is another misconception! Brady says that healthy Veterans, from the same Gulf War era, regardless of whether or not they were deployed to the Gulf, are needed so that researchers can study varied factors. "If two Gulf War Veterans were in the same place, in the same company, and one becomes ill but the other one doesn’t, then comparing one Veteran to another will help us understand why one is ill and the other is not. Participation by healthy Veterans is equally important."
How can you take part in this research and help make a difference in the future?
Initially, enrollment for this groundbreaking pilot program has been low. The continuation of this program and research will be determined by the interest and enrollment of Gulf War Veterans. Without Veterans willing to participate, this program simply is not possible and may not continue.
If you are interested in learning more or have additional questions, please call the Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses Biorepository toll free at 1-855-561-7827.
Additional information about this study can be found at http://www.research.va.gov/programs/tissue_banking/gwvib/.
