Epidemiological and Clinical Evidence for Residual Organophosphate Neurotoxicity
Abstract
We sought evidence to support or refute the proposal that Gulf War (GW) veterans who served in the Kuwaiti Theater of Operations (KTO) have nervous-system deficits consistent with prior exposure to organophosphoms chemicals (sarin and insecticides). Focus was placed on Desert Storm veterans present within a 50-km radius of Khamisiyah, Coalition-Occupied Iraq, who may have been exposed to sarin/cyclosarin during the first two weeks of March 1991 (Study Group). Comparison groups included other Desert Storm veterans with no known potential exposure to nerve agents and non- deployed GW-era veterans (negative controls). Veterans were given a computer-assisted telephone interview (CATI) to assess symptoms and exposures. Subjects completing the telephone interview were recmited for neurobehavioral testing (Level I). Level I employed a computerized neurobehavioral test battery. Level II testing comprised a focused clinical neuromuscular and neurophysiological examination designed to detect any hallmarks of organophosphate-associated persistent central nervous system (CNS) damage. The utilization of a cross-sectional survey of GW veterans with different exposure profiles, followed by a 2-level clinical examination, was designed to allow us to determine whether GW veterans who served in the KTO have nervous-system changes consistent with prior exposure to organophosphate chemicals.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2001
- Accession Number
- ADA410490
Entities
People
- Peter S Spencer
Organizations
- Oregon Health & Science University