Scientists at the University of Texas Southwestern (USA) have unveiled the mystery behind the cause of “Gulf War Syndrome,” putting an end to decades of debate surrounding this illness.
“Gulf War Syndrome” or “Gulf War Illness” (GWI) is a chronic multi-symptom condition affecting hundreds of thousands of American veterans who fought in the bloody Gulf War of 1990.
Symptoms can vary, including fatigue, muscle pain, “brain fog,” memory issues, cognitive problems, insomnia, rashes, and diarrhea.
However, for many decades, the underlying cause of the syndrome has been fiercely debated by scientists around the world, with various explanations proposed.
The Gulf War took place in August 1990 – (Image: IFLSCIENCE)
Proposed causes have included emissions from oil well fires, exposure to depleted uranium, PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder), and biological or chemical weapons. Some have even suggested it could be linked to a vaccine administered to soldiers.
According to research published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives, scientists at the University of Texas (UT) Southwestern studied 508 veterans with “Gulf War Syndrome” and 508 veterans without the illness. They ultimately discovered that those exposed to the nerve agent sarin were significantly more likely to develop the condition.
To further support their hypothesis, the scientists investigated the PON1 gene (which encodes a protein), crucial for breaking down neurotoxins in the body. They found that veterans with less effective variants of the PON1 gene were more likely to become ill. The weaker the variant, the more prevalent the syndrome.
The lead researcher, Dr. Robert Haley, a professor of medicine and director of the epidemiology department at UT Southwestern, told the science news outlet IFLScience: “There is no risk factor that surpasses the causal evidence of sarin gas impacting Gulf War Syndrome.”
Sarin is a man-made chemical, colorless, odorless, and tasteless. Due to its potency as a neurotoxin, it has been used as a chemical weapon.
A notorious case in 1995 in Japan saw the Aum Shinrikyo cult release sarin in the Tokyo subway system. This act resulted in the deaths of 13 people, injuring over 6,000, with long-lasting effects to this day. Six members of the cult received death sentences.
This latest research will help provide deeper insights into the circumstances faced by Gulf War veterans. Many of them continue to suffer from the illness today without support.
Dr. Haley explained: “There are still over 100,000 Gulf War veterans who have not received help for this illness. Our hope is that these findings will drive the search for better treatment methods.”
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The Gulf War began in August 1990 after Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein invaded the oil-rich neighbor Kuwait, in order to settle the country’s debts from the Iran-Iraq War. This move was met with international condemnation, ultimately leading to a military conflict against Iraq launched by the United States, the United Kingdom, and other nations. |
