Assessing Neuroinflammation in Gulf War Illness with Whole-Brain Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
Abstract
Scientific objective and rationale: Currently, there are no targeted treatments for Gulf War Illness (GWI). In order to solve that problem, it is essential that researchers discover the cause of GWI. It is similarly important that an objective test be developed that can clearly show why individuals suffer from GWI. While many attempts at developing such a test have been made, none of them have yielded a clinically useful tool. We hypothesize that GWI involves chronic inflammation of the brain. Immune cells in the brain can be sensitized by environmental toxins and other exposures. When sensitized, the immune cells may produce chemicals that cause fatigue, cognitive problems, and other symptoms. Because this activity is occurring in the brain, the inflammation is not detected in standard blood tests. A safe and non-invasive tool is therefore needed to detect brain inflammation. We are using a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) brain scan that allows brain inflammation to be measured without removing any bodily fluid, and without any injections. It is therefore completely non-invasive. The scan measures the concentrations of chemicals throughout the brain and uses that information to create maps of inflammation. The scan can also measure brain temperature, which may be increased during inflammation. We will test this scan on 20 individuals with GWI and 20 healthy individuals to see if individuals with GWI have brain inflammation. Clinical applications and benefits: The purpose of this scan is to determine whether an individual is suffering from brain inflammation. It is important to know if brain inflammation is involved in GWI because standard anti-inflammatory drugs do not reach the brain in sufficient amounts to control brain inflammation. Special treatments may be needed to combat this type of inflammation. Risks: The scan does not pose any risks to most individuals with GWI. However, because all MRI scans use a powerful magnet, some people cannot undergo such a scan. Individuals with certain metallic implants cannot go into the scanner. Individuals with claustrophobia may not feel comfortable in the scanner. Millions of MRI scans are performed each year in the United States without incidence, and no radiation is involved. The scan can therefore be completed even multiple times without a risk of adverse health effects. Projected timeframe: By the end of Year 2 of the award, we will have sufficient information to say whether GWI likely involves brain inflammation. The scan has been developed sufficiently so that it can determine whether any particular person has brain inflammation and exactly where that inflammation is present. The scan may therefore be quickly developed into a useful tool for patients. Because a standard MRI is used, the scan could be adopted across most hospitals and research centers. Scientific contributions: If we find evidence of brain inflammation in GWI, it will suggest that research resources should be directed toward developing anti-inflammatories that can reach the brain. Because the scan can be used repeatedly in a person without added risk, it can also be used to show when a new treatment is working. We believe this project could help explain why individuals with GWI have fatigue and other debilitating symptoms.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Nov 19, 2019
- Source ID
- W81XWH1910725
Entities
People
- Jarred Younger
Organizations
- United States Army
- University of Alabama at Birmingham