Role of Vestibular Hypofunction in Exacerbating Autonomic Dysfunction in Gulf War Illness
Abstract
Gulf War Illness (GWI) is a debilitating condition that affects ~25% of Veterans of the Gulf War. We have found at the War Related Illness & Injury Study Center, Gulf War Veterans commonly report symptoms of nausea (52%) and dizziness (17%), both associated with vestibular (balance system) damage as well as with autonomic impairment, a condition in which nerves that control blood vessels are not working as well and can affect both blood pressure and blood flow. Recent work from our lab and those of others have shown that if your balance system is impaired, it can affect your control of blood pressure and blood flow, including brain blood flow. The goal of this work is to determine if Veterans with GWI that have impaired balance also demonstrate impaired blood pressure and brain blood flow control. In addition, we want to see if improving balance function also results in improved blood pressure and brain blood flow. The purpose of this study is to use mild electrical stimulation to improve balance and brain blood flow in GWI Veterans with verified balance problems. We have previously found that low levels of electrical stimulation, delivered at levels that cannot be felt, can improve balance. This proposal will examine two different questions: (1) Is impaired balance function in Gulf War Illness associated with reduced brain blood flow? (2) Can improving balance function in these Veterans result in improved brain blood flow? The ultimate goal of this work is to improve balance through the use of a mild electrical stimulator that cannot be felt in GWI Veterans suffering with balance problems and see if this improvement in balance function will also improve their brain blood flow and blood pressure. There are currently limited treatments for patients suffering with these issues, and this innovative device used to improve balance and vestibular function in Veterans addresses a significant post-deployment health issue.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Aug 07, 2017
- Source ID
- W81XWH1710549
Entities
People
- Jorge M Serrador
Organizations
- United States Army
- Veterans Biomedical Research Institute