Brain Blood Flow, Neurovascular Control
Conditions
Keywords
MRI, Brain Blood Flow, Sympathetic Nerve Activity, Cardiorespiratory Fitness
Brief summary
Brain blood flow regulation and autonomic dysfunction will be measured in Veterans with and without Gulf War Illness who served in the Gulf War between 1990 and 1992.
Detailed description
Gulf War Illness (GWI) is a multi-symptom illness with unknown etiology. GWI is a leading cause of disability in Gulf War Veterans. Cognitive complaints are a common symptom of GWI, which suggests the brain is involved in the development of this condition. As Veterans age, these cognitive complaints may worsen and be compounded by the aging process. GWI may be a condition of accelerated brain aging. Therefore, there may be long-term consequences of GWI, and the presence of GWI may increase a person's risk for developing Alzheimer's Disease (AD) or other dementias. In comparison to other brain-related diseases such as stroke, relatively little is known about GWI and how this condition impacts the normal age-related changes in the brain. The research aims are: 1. To determine if Veterans with Gulf War Illness demonstrate abnormal brain blood flow regulation and autonomic dysfunction when compared with Veterans without Gulf War Illness. 2. To determine if brain blood flow and autonomic nervous system variables in Veterans are associated with other markers of brain aging that are relevant to cognitive decline.
Interventions
DEVICEMRI
Participants will undergo an MRI scan while participating in a breathing test to measure brain blood flow.
Participants will undergo a TCD scan while participating in a breathing test to measure brain blood flow.
Participants will undergo sympathetic nerve activity testing while participating in a breathing test.
Sponsors
United States Department of Defense
University of Wisconsin, Madison
Study design
Observational model
CASE_CONTROL
Time perspective
PROSPECTIVE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
45 Years to 68 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Deployed to the Persian Gulf between 1990-1992 * Body mass \<300 lbs * Diagnosis of Gulf War Illness based on CMI/CDC and Kansas definitions or No diagnosis of Gulf War Illness
Exclusion criteria
* Current or lifetime evidence of: Type II diabetes, neurological disease, cancer treatment, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, bipolar disorder, psychotic disorders, or mood disorders with psychotic features * Current illicit substance use or partial remission for less than 1 year * Taking multiple sedatives or anticonvulsant medications * Currently pregnant * Absolute contraindications to exercise testing * Contraindications to MRI * Other significant medical conditions at investigator's discretion
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Brain blood flow measured using Transcranial Doppler ultrasound | Baseline | Neurovascular control will be investigated by measuring the change in brain blood flow using a transcranial Doppler ultrasound in response to a breathing test. |
| Brain blood flow measured using MRI | Baseline | Neurovascular control will be investigated by measuring the change in brain blood flow using an MRI in response to a breathing test. |
| Sympathetic nerve activity | Baseline | Neurovascular control will be investigated by measuring the change in sympathetic nerve activity will be measured using microneurography in response to a breathing test. |
Countries
United States
Outcome results
None listed