Immunologists finally solve the mystery of Gulf War Syndrome

Scientists may have solved a decades-old mystery after discovering the likely cause of a condition that affects up to one in three Gulf War veterans. The discovery offers hope to the hundreds of veterans suffering from Gulf War Syndrome by opening a possible avenue for future therapies and symptom relief.

The Gulf War was an international conflict in 1990 and 1991, sparked by the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in 1990. Nearly one million military personnel from 41 different countries took part in the fighting and were exposed to a range of chemical and biological weapons.

In 1994, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) launched an investigation after receiving numerous reports of unexplained illness from Gulf War veterans. Symptoms included a recurring rash, diarrhea, muscle pain, cognitive problems, and fatigue.

Even 30 years later, many questions about the so-called Gulf War Syndrome remain unanswered, although many scientists agree that it is probably a consequence of exposure to biological and chemical warfare agents as well as other environmental hazards in the war zone.

Now, scientists at Griffiths University have identified for the first time a biological mechanism that could be responsible for the mysterious disease.

In a study published in the journal Plus oneThe research team said molecules involved in transporting calcium into our cells were defective in veterans with Gulf War Syndrome. Calcium plays a crucial role in cellular signaling and helps regulate a number of important functions, including muscle contraction, nerve function and hormone secretion.

“This discovery is a significant step forward in understanding this enigmatic and complex disease,” Sonya Marshall-Gradisnik, study author, professor and director of the National Center for Neuroimmunology and Emerging Diseases at Griffith University, said in a statement.

Previous studies have found clear links between environmental toxins and damage to these calcium-transporting structures, for example from biological and chemical warfare agents.

“The results of our research provide clear scientific evidence that the health problems experienced by Gulf War veterans are directly related to their exposure to certain hazardous substances during their service,” said Marshall-Gradisnik. “Our research clearly shows that cellular structures in the human body are sensitive and vulnerable to these substances, leading to faulty cellular function.”

By better understanding the biochemical basis of the disease, researchers hope to soon be able to develop effective treatments to cure Gulf War Syndrome or at least alleviate its symptoms.

“This breakthrough in understanding the causes of Gulf War Syndrome now gives researchers hope to develop new treatments to improve the future of our veterans,” said Marshall-Gradisnik.

Ian Allwood, a Gulf War veteran and Gulf War Syndrome activist in Australia, said he was deeply grateful for the research. “To be believed means the world to us,” he said in a statement. “This research is changing the lives of Gulf War veterans.”

“For the veterans affected, this is the first step toward identifying a causative factor. This is groundbreaking research that will hopefully open up new treatment avenues for the often debilitating symptoms.”

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