Assessing Neuroinflammation in GWI Using MRS (NCT04638998) | Clinical Trial Compass
CompletedNot Applicable
Assessing Neuroinflammation in GWI Using MRS
United States49 participantsStarted 2020-12-01
Plain-language summary
The primary aim of this study is to determine if Gulf War Illness (GWI) likely involves neuroinflammation. The investigators hypothesize that GWI involves neuroinflammation. By assessing the five neuroinflammatory outcomes across the brain, the investigators can determine if there are focal or global signs of one or more neuroinflammatory markers in the brains of individuals with GWI. This neuroimaging technique may allow investigators and others to detect cases of GWI neuroinflammation, which would improve treatment decisions as well as the development of new targeted therapies. It is an ideal diagnostic tool because it has low patient risk, is noninvasive, can be used repeatedly in longitudinal studies, provides whole-brain coverage, yields multiple independent markers of inflammation, and can be employed at most hospitals and research neuroimaging suites.
Who can participate
Age range
46 Years – 70 Years
Sex
MALE
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* Between the ages of 46 and 70
* Veterans who meet the Kansas inclusion criteria .The Kansas Inclusion Criteria are a set of the most frequently reported symptoms experienced by Gulf War veterans. This frequency and severity of the symptoms reported by the participant indicate whether the person has Gulf War Illness or not. The Kansas Inclusion Criteria is the gold standard for identifying veterans with GWI in the field. The criteria are attached.
* Present in Persian Gulf between 1990 and August 1991
* Forward deployed (in Iraq or Kuwait)
Exclusion Criteria:
* Usage of experimental medications, opioid analgesics, psychostimulants (except caffeine), or benzodiazepines
* Uncontrolled diabetes, autoimmune disorders, and thyroid disorders.
* Major cardiovascular illness, cancer, or have any contraindications for MRI (including metallic implants or claustrophobia)
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1This trial measured specific brain chemicals like myoinositol, lactate, choline, and N-acetylaspartate using MRS — could you explain what abnormal levels of any of these markers might actually mean for someone with Gulf War Illness, and whether those findings change how my condition might be treated?
2Since this study is now completed, have the results been published yet, and if so, do the findings about neuroinflammation in Gulf War Illness suggest any new treatment directions I should know about?
3This trial used MRS to measure brain temperature alongside chemical markers — is that kind of brain imaging something that would be useful or available for evaluating my own symptoms, or is it mainly a research tool at this point?
4Given that this was a measurement-focused study rather than a treatment trial, does what it found about neuroinflammation give us any reason to consider specific anti-inflammatory approaches for my Gulf War Illness symptoms?
5Are there any follow-up studies building on this neuroinflammation research that might be worth considering, or would you recommend focusing on currently available standard treatments while that research continues?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.