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 illness 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.
For many decades, the underlying cause of the syndrome has been hotly debated by scientists worldwide, with various explanations put forward.
The Gulf War occurred in August 1990 – (Image: IFLSCIENCE)
Proposed causes have ranged from emissions from oil well fires to exposure to depleted uranium, or to PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder), biological and chemical weapons. Some even suggested it might be related 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 suffering from “Gulf War Syndrome” and 508 veterans who were not affected. They ultimately found that those exposed to the nerve agent sarin had a significantly higher likelihood of developing the illness.
To further support their hypothesis, the scientists examined the PON1 gene (a gene that encodes a protein), which plays a crucial role in breaking down neurotransmission in the body. They discovered that veterans with less effective variants of the PON1 gene were more likely to be affected by the illness. The weaker the variant, the more prevalent the syndrome.
The lead researcher, Dr. Robert Haley, a professor of internal medicine and director of the epidemiology department at UT Southwestern, told the science news site IFLScience: “There is no risk factor other than the causal evidence of sarin gas impacting Gulf War Syndrome.”
Sarin is a man-made chemical that is odorless, colorless, and tasteless. Due to its effectiveness as a nerve agent, it has been used as a chemical weapon.
A notorious incident in 1995 in Japan, when the Aum Shinrikyo cult released sarin gas in the Tokyo subway system, resulted in 13 deaths, over 6,000 injuries, and long-lasting consequences. Six members of the doomsday cult were sentenced to death by the court.
This latest research will help provide deeper insights into the circumstances of veterans from the Gulf War. Many of them continue to suffer from the illness to this day without receiving assistance.
Dr. Haley explained: “There are still over 100,000 Gulf War veterans who are not receiving 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 neighboring oil-rich Kuwait to settle the country’s debts from the Iran-Iraq War. This move was met with international condemnation, ultimately leading the United States, the United Kingdom, and other countries to launch a military conflict against Iraq. |
