Mechanisms of Mitochondrial Defects in Gulf War Syndrome
| Status: | Completed |
|---|---|
| Conditions: | Psychiatric, Gastrointestinal |
| Therapuetic Areas: | Gastroenterology, Psychiatry / Psychology |
| Healthy: | No |
| Age Range: | 18 - Any |
| Updated: | 3/16/2015 |
| Start Date: | May 2009 |
| End Date: | August 2012 |
| Contact: | Julie Decker |
| Email: | jdecker@mnglab.com |
| Phone: | 404-769-5163 |
The purpose of the study is to investigate possible causes for Gulf War Syndrome. Gulf War
Syndrome is associated with increased incidences of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou
Gehrig's Disease), pain syndromes, muscle complaints that include fatigue and myalgias
(muscle pain), as well as other neurological symptoms. Abnormalities in the part of the
cell known as mitochondria have been delineated in Gulf War Syndrome. Mitochondria are the
"power plants" of the body. Mitochondria take the food you eat and break the food down into
a form of energy that the body can use. The investigators propose that Gulf War Syndrome is
determined by a complex interaction of factors that interfere with mitochondrial function.
This study will be the first investigation of mitochondrial function in Gulf War Syndrome.
The investigators objective is to establish the cause for symptoms in affected veterans,
develop testing that can more easily identify Gulf War Syndrome, and ultimately develop
treatment protocols for Gulf War Syndrome.
Syndrome is associated with increased incidences of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou
Gehrig's Disease), pain syndromes, muscle complaints that include fatigue and myalgias
(muscle pain), as well as other neurological symptoms. Abnormalities in the part of the
cell known as mitochondria have been delineated in Gulf War Syndrome. Mitochondria are the
"power plants" of the body. Mitochondria take the food you eat and break the food down into
a form of energy that the body can use. The investigators propose that Gulf War Syndrome is
determined by a complex interaction of factors that interfere with mitochondrial function.
This study will be the first investigation of mitochondrial function in Gulf War Syndrome.
The investigators objective is to establish the cause for symptoms in affected veterans,
develop testing that can more easily identify Gulf War Syndrome, and ultimately develop
treatment protocols for Gulf War Syndrome.
Inclusion Criteria:
- Short-term memory loss or a severe inability to concentrate that affects work, school
or other normal activities
- Muscle Pain, myalgias
- Pain without redness or swelling in a number of joints
- Intense or changing patterns of headaches
- Unrefreshing sleep
- After any exertion, weariness that lasts for more than a day
Exclusion Criteria:
- Organ failure (e.g. emphysema, cirrhosis, cardiac failure, chronic renal failure)
- Chronic infections (e.g. HIV/AIDS, hepatitis B or C)
- Rheumatic and chronic inflammatory diseases (e.g. systemic lupus erythematosis,
Sjogren's syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, chronic
pancreatitis.)
- Major neurologic diseases (e.g. multiple sclerosis, neuromuscular diseases, epilepsy
or other disease requiring ongoing medication that could cause fatigue, stroke, head
injury with residual neurologic deficits)
- Diseases requiring systemic treatment (e.g. organ or bone marrow transplantation;
systemic chemotherapy; radiation of brain, thorax, abdomen, or pelvis)
- Major endocrine diseases (e.g. hypopituitarism, adrenal insufficiency)
- Myocardial infarction, heart failure
- Morbid obesity (body mass index >40)
- Permanent psychiatric exclusions: Lifetime diagnoses of bipolar affective disorders,
schizophrenia or any subtype, delusional disorders of any subtype, dementias of any
subtype, organic brain disorders, and alcohol or substance abuse within 2 years
before onset of the fatiguing illness.
- History of allergic reaction to lidocaine
- History of keloid formation with skin incisions.
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