Expanding the Characterization and Application of Clinical MRI Markers in Gulf War Illness
Abstract
While MRI studies have identified diverse brain differences between GWI cases and controls, the applied use of such findings has been hindered by the fact that most are from a limited number of heterogeneous studies. There still exists relatively little concrete, consistent information, guidelines, or metrics that can be used clinically in assessing veterans with GWI-related brain pathology or for comparing findings across studies. Our overall objective is to develop and validate an evidence-based assessment tool to characterize the types and degree of brain pathology affecting GW Veterans. To do this we will develop a neuroradiologic checklist of potential pathology in GW Veterans; carry out a clinical radiologic assessment of the brains of GW Veterans; use the findings to create a checklist of pathology common to ill veterans, exposures, and symptoms and the validate this checklist in a separate group of veterans. We will also conduct standard research assessments of the MRIs to increase cross validation with the literature. To date we have created the checklist, begun neuroradiologic assessments of the first 100 MRIs of GW Veterans, completed volumetric assessment of the first 100 MRIs of GW Veterans. As the neuroradiologic assessment is not yet complete we have no findings at this time to report.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 22, 2022
- Accession Number
- AD1190443
Entities
People
- Deborah M. Little
Organizations
- University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston