Gulf War Illness: Exploring the Eye-Brain Connection
Abstract
Overview: The eye can provide a “window” to the brain and has been used to study neurodegenerative (e.g., Alzheimer’s disease) and pain (e.g., fibromyalgia) conditions that have overlapping features with Gulf War Illness (GWI). Specifically, nerve abnormalities and markers of inflammation and oxidative stress can be detected noninvasively in the eye and can provide information on potential underlying mechanisms of disease. This research proposes to study whether metrics non-invasively captured with routinely available eye imaging technology can serve as clinical biomarkers for GWI. What are the potential clinical applications, benefits, and risks for Veterans with GWI? The potential applications of this research are tremendous. Determining which clinical biomarkers align with GWI and symptom clusters can improve disease stratification and set the foundation for future studies that assess targeted therapies, whose effect can be monitored via eye imaging. The risks of participating in the research are minimal given that all imaging technologies utilized are available and routinely performed in eye clinics. What is the projected time it may take to achieve a patient-related outcome? We plan to collect our data over the 3-year period, present at national conferences, and publish our results in a timely manner in high-impact journals. By the end of 3 years, our findings will be transmitted to the research and clinical community with potential for immediate changes in clinical care based on our findings. In addition, this research will set a foundation to study how eye-related clinical biomarkers can be used to develop targeted treatments in GWI and monitor treatment responses. What are the likely contributions of this study in advancing the field of GWI research? This study will examine potential clinical biomarkers in GWI that are easily obtained in the eye clinic and apply them to disease stratification. The idea that the eye can serve as a “window” to the brain has been applied to other neurodegenerative and pain conditions and as such, there is biologic plausibility that important information about GWI can be gleaned by studying inflammation and nerve status, which can be measured non-invasively in the eye.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Mar 10, 2021
- Source ID
- W81XWH2010579
Entities
People
- Anat Galor
Organizations
- Bruce W. Carter VA Medical Center
- United States Army