Cardiovascular and Neurovascular Regulation in GWI

Autonomic Dysfunction, Brain Blood Flow and Cognitive Decline in Veterans With Gulf War Illness

Brain blood flow regulation and autonomic dysfunction will be measured in Veterans with and without Gulf War Illness who served in the Gulf War between 1990 and 1992.

Gulf War Illness (GWI) is a multi-symptom illness with unknown etiology. GWI is a leading cause of disability in Gulf War Veterans. Cognitive complaints are a common symptom of GWI, which suggests the brain is involved in the development of this condition. As Veterans age, these cognitive complaints may worsen and be compounded by the aging process. GWI may be a condition of "accelerated" brain aging. Therefore, there may be long-term consequences of GWI, and the presence of GWI may increase a person's risk for developing Alzheimer's Disease (AD) or other dementias. In comparison to other brain-related diseases such as stroke, relatively little is known about GWI and how this condition impacts the normal age-related changes in the brain.

The research aims are:

1. To determine if Veterans with Gulf War Illness demonstrate abnormal brain blood flow regulation and autonomic dysfunction when compared with Veterans without Gulf War Illness.
2. To determine if brain blood flow and autonomic nervous system variables in Veterans are associated with other markers of brain aging that are relevant to cognitive decline.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Deployed to the Persian Gulf between 1990-1992
• Body mass <300 lbs
• Diagnosis of Gulf War Illness based on CMI/CDC and Kansas definitions or No diagnosis of Gulf War Illness

Exclusion Criteria:

• Current or lifetime evidence of: Type II diabetes, neurological disease, cancer treatment, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, bipolar disorder, psychotic disorders, or mood disorders with psychotic features
• Current illicit substance use or partial remission for less than 1 year
• Taking multiple sedatives or anticonvulsant medications
• Currently pregnant
• Absolute contraindications to exercise testing
• Contraindications to MRI
• Other significant medical conditions at investigator's discretion