Clarifying the Role Played by Microglia and Astrocyte Activation in Veterans with Gulf War Illness Using Positron Emission Tomography (PET)

Abstract

The study objective is to assess whether veterans with GWI will show evidence of a chronic inflammatory process as measured by increased levels of astrocyte and microglial activation. We will determine the regionally specific pattern of astrocyte activation in 20 GW veterans.We will determine if there is regional independence of the astrocyte activation from microglial activation and we will assess the utility of using FDG PET as a marker for activated astrocytes. We have now obtained all appropriate IRB approvals and begun subject recruitment. This study is taking place at Mass General Brigham Hospital and Boston University School of Medicine. We have a subcontract in place between these institutions for this study. We have contacted 22 participants from the BBRAIN study to gage their interest in this call-back study. Seven veterans were found eligible and four participants have been consented and enrolled in the study. We will continue to contact BBRAIN study participants for recruitment efforts and will be collecting data from them once they are consented.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Oct 01, 2023
Accession Number
AD1223158

Entities

People

  • Kimberly Sullivan

Organizations

  • Boston University Medical Campus

Tags

Readers

  • Clinical Trial Research.
  • Gulf War Illness and Chronic Multisymptom Illness in Veterans.
  • Neuroscience