Gulf War Illness (GWI) affects an estimated 25-32% of the over 700,000 coalition troops deployed to the Persian Gulf as part of the First Gulf War. GWI causes a range of pain, fatigue, gastrointestinal, skin, neurologic, and respiratory symptoms. New treatments to reduce GWI-associated morbidity are critically needed. Research suggests a role for the gastrointestinal microbiome in mediating health, including through impacting metabolism and immunity. The disruption of this microbiome plays a role in multiple diseases, and preliminary data suggest that Veterans with GWI have altered gut microbiota. The investigators will evaluate the effectiveness of a dietary fiber prebiotic supplement intervention on improving the quality of life of Veterans with GWI.
Who can participate
Age range
50 Years – 85 Years
Sex
ALL
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
. Ability to provide informed written consent
. Willing to comply with all study procedures and be available for the duration of the study (including providing stool samples)
. Meeting the modified Kansas GWI case definition\* with gut symptoms endorsed
. Deployed to Persian Gulf during Operations Desert Storm or Desert Shield56.Aged 50-85 years old
Exclusion criteria
. A Known SARS-CoV-2 infection in the last 60 days and/or with a diagnosis of post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC, sometimes called long COVID) defined as COVID-19 symptoms lasting for greater than 6 months.
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 is testing a resistant potato starch supplement to see if it changes gut bacteria and metabolites in people with Gulf War Illness — given what's known about my specific GI and other symptoms, does this gut-microbiome approach make sense as something worth exploring for me?
2Since this is a Phase 2 trial, it's still in relatively early stages of testing — what does that mean for what we know and don't yet know about whether resistant potato starch is safe and effective for Gulf War Illness?
3The trial is measuring changes in gut microbiome composition and short-chain fatty acids, not directly measuring symptom relief — how should I think about whether those lab measurements would actually translate into feeling better?
4Are there any standard treatments or dietary approaches for Gulf War Illness that I should try first before considering enrolling in a research study like this one?
5This trial appears to involve dietary supplementation over a study period — what kind of time commitment, testing, or sample collection would likely be involved, and is that realistic given my current health and schedule?
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.
What they're measuring
1
Changes from baseline to the end of the study period in the composition of the gut microbiome
Timeframe: 2 years
2
Changes from baseline to the end of the study period in the concentration of short-chain fatty acids and other metabolites identified in the gut microbiome