Glutamate Receptor and Kynurenine Pathway Functioning in the Pathobiology of Gulf War Illness

Abstract

The purpose of this project was to examine kynurenine pathway and neuroglia functioning using biomarkers obtained from cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in 1990-1991 Gulf War veterans with (n=46) and without (n=23) GWI. The second purpose of the project which was not initiated because of COVID-19 related institutional closure and restrictions on human research was to examine NMDAR-associated neural excitatory state defined as increased glutamatergic receptor sensitivity by testing the effect of a single infusion of 0.5 mg/kg of NMDAR antagonist ketamine on gamma band EEG (for NMDAR target engagement), other EEG markers, and on symptoms of Gulf War Illness in 19 cases. Outcomes provide evidence of an expected neural excitatory and proinflammatory state in cases that could predispose to neuronal damage via NMDAR hyperactivation through kynurenine pathway activation and will provide evidence in humans of possible effects of temporarily blocking NMDAR with a subanesthetic dose (0.5 mg/kg) of ketamine.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 2023
Accession Number
AD1208677

Entities

People

  • Marijn Lijffijt

Organizations

  • Baylor College of Medicine

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Alzheimer Disease
  • Brain Injuries
  • Cells
  • Chemistry
  • Department Of Veterans Affairs
  • Diseases
  • Factor Analysis
  • Health Services
  • Heterocyclic Acids
  • Linear Regression Analysis
  • Medical Personnel
  • Neurodegeneration
  • Neuroglia
  • Persian Gulf Syndrome
  • Psychiatry
  • Regression Analysis
  • Traumatic Stress Disorder

Fields of Study

  • Medicine

Readers

  • Gulf War Illness and Chronic Multisymptom Illness in Veterans.
  • Neuroscience