Vagus Nerve Stimulation as a Treatment Strategy for Gulf War Illness

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to determine if vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) will be an effective therapeutic strategy for Gulf War Illness (GWI). GWI refers to a chronic complex of symptoms observed in afflicted personnel. GWI symptoms include cognitive impairments (memory and concentration problems), headaches, migraines, widespread pain, fatigue, gastrointestinal and respiratory issues, as well as other unexplained abnormalities that do not fit into classical medical diagnostic criteria. There are extensive clinical and experimental data showing that VNS treatment exerts beneficial effects in many of the aforementioned symptom domains associated with GWI. We are in the process of testing the efficacy of VNS treatment on behavioral, cognitive, inflammatory, neuroinflammatory and neuroanatomical outcome measures. We have had our manuscript on altered nociceptive sensitivity accepted for publication. We have also demonstrated changes in hippocampal astrocytes, hippocampal neurogenesis, and changes to cognitive function that rely on intact hippocampal neurogenesis.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Oct 01, 2018
Accession Number
AD1062529

Entities

People

  • Lee A. Sharpiro

Organizations

  • Texas A&M University

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Astrocytes
  • Brain
  • Cells
  • Cognitive Impairment
  • Electric Stimulation Therapy
  • Experimental Data
  • Medical Personnel
  • Nerves
  • Neurogenesis
  • Neurons
  • Neurosciences
  • Pain
  • Persian Gulf Syndrome
  • Sensitivity
  • Statistical Analysis
  • Students
  • Vagus Nerve

Fields of Study

  • Medicine
  • Psychology

Readers

  • Gulf War Illness and Chronic Multisymptom Illness in Veterans.
  • Neurotrauma and Rehabilitation Medicine.
  • Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and Cognitive Aging in the Guam and Border Populations Affected by Alzheimer's Disease and Tau-Associated Dementias.