VCS Praises Recent Gulf War Illness Actions, Calls on VA to Do More

 

Dear Friends,

I was glad to have an opportunity to make a short verbal presentation to the Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans’ Illnesses (RAC-GWVI) last week. 

Due to the meeting running a bit late, I shortened my comments. Here are my notes from what I wanted to say. 

To summarize, Veterans for Common Sense (VCS) is pleased that:

1. The RAC continues holding public meetings; and we strongly support the continuation of the RAC.

2. The CDMRP scientific research is realizing highly promising results, as shown by the new Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program-sponsored research by Dr. Beatrice Golomb shared with the RAC.  VCS strongly supports the CDMRP.

3. VA issued a new set of Gulf War reports.  VCS shared our suggestions to improve the Gulf War Veterans Information System (GWVIS) reports (now called the pre-9/11 phase of the war).  The RAC submitted a far more detailed list of suggested improvements, and VCS supports the RAC's proposal.  Please thank the RAC members for their diligence on this.  With robust, accurate, and timely reports, VA can develop and implement far better policies for our veterans.

In other matters, VCS still supports the urgent need to either rescind or amend Presidential Review Directive 5.  That's the 1998 White House policy that promotes the use of public relations ("risk communications") to deflect concerns about post-war illnesses.  In our view, science should be used first, not propaganda and spin.  The issue of ending or amending PRD5 is important because DoD and VA use the same public relations tactics to claim the toxic pollution from Iraq War burn pits and the radiation from three Japanese nuclear power plant meltdowns are harmless.

VCS also hopes the RAC will continue to do outreach, issuing more press releases and performing more public events so our veterans and the public are aware of the situation facing us. The RAC is the positive exception to VA's rule of perpetuating the myth the Gulf War was fast, cheap, and low-casualty.  The facts now show the Gulf War has lasted nearly 21 years (turning into the Iraq War in 2003).  The financial costs for research, healthcare and disability benefits are in the billions per year and expected to reach a total of $1 trillion over 40 years.  And, sadly, there are 250,000 ill from the 1991 phase of the war without treatments or answers.  Making the situation worse is the fact there are 650,000 more VA patients from the Iraq / Afghanistan war flooding into VA competing for resources.

We want to commend the RAC, as anything the RAC does is an improvement over VA's many years of inaction by most VA leaders.  VCS remains disappointed that VA does such a poor job informing Gulf War veterans about research, healthcare, and benefits. 

Thank you again for the opportunity to submit a longer statement for the record.  I hope you had a pleasant Fourth of July.

Best,

Paul

Paul Sullivan
Executive Director
Veterans for Common Sense
www.VeteransForCommonSense.org

Kucinich Amendment Increases Gulf War Illness Budget by 25 Percent

(91outcomes.com)  Through the leadership efforts of Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio), today's House floor votes increased the CDMRP Gulf War Illness treatment-focused research budget by 25 percent, as we were seeking. We hope that the final vote will preserve the acclaimed Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program ("CDMRP"), which primarily Tea Party members of the House want to eliminate, claiming it's duplicative of NIH funding.  While it is true that some of the CMDRP subjects are the same as those researched by NIH, such as some of the cancer programs, the funded research is primarily high-risk, high-gain and would not otherwise be funded. This is particularly true for programs like GWI, which VA also researches.    However, VA only funds VA employees, meaning the treatment-focused CDMRP studies would never be funded by VA.   Additionally, most if not all of VA's GWI research is "investigator-initiated" and to date has lacked strategic focus. The proof is in the outcomes, with the first and only successful GWI treatment so far having been funded through the CDMRP and not VA. CDMRP has had just $31 million in appropriations for GWI; VA and DoD combined have spent over $400 million without finding a single treatment to help GWI patients. According to the Institute of Medicine (IOM) -- VA's gold standard -- 250,000 of the 696,842 veterans of the 1991 Gulf War, or more than one in three, suffer from chronic multi-symptom illness not explained by any physical or psychiatric disorder. [Personal note: The battle for CDMRP funding continues next in the Senate, where I'll be next week hoping to help in the broader efforts to fully restore or increase all CDMRP funding and increase GWI funding to at least $25 million, the level recommended by the IOM.] --Anthony Hardie, Madison, Wis. ======== Kucinich Continues Long-Term Fight for Gulf War Illnesses Research Funding

Kucinich Amendment Increases CDMRP Gulf War Illness Treatment Research Budget by 25% Washington D.C. (July 6, 2011) – Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) today continued his his long-term commitment to funding research into the cause and cure of Gulf War Illness by offering an amendment to the Defense Appropriations Act, H.R. 2219, which will increase the amount of money available to the Gulf War Illnesses Research Program by 25% over last year’s level to $10 million. Congressman Kucinich took to the floor today to urge support for the amendment. See the video here. The amendment passed today by a vote of 253 to 167 and will be included in the underlying bill. “Today, along with the support my colleague, Representative Michaud, I am offering this amendment to help an estimated 250,000 ailing veterans of the first Gulf War-- over one-third of those who served. It will bring the modest budget for the Gulf War Illnesses Research Program within the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program (CDMRP) in line with that of its peer programs, to $10 million. “Too many veterans of the first Gulf War suffer from persistent symptoms such as chronic headache, widespread pain, cognitive difficulties, unexplained fatigue, gastrointestinal problems, respiratory symptoms, and other abnormalities that are not explained by traditional medical or psychiatric diagnoses.  Research shows that as these brave soldiers age, they are at double the risk for ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease as their non-deployed peers. There may also be connections to Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease. Sadly, there are no known treatments for the lifelong pain these veterans endure. “In a new landmark report, the Institute of Medicine has recognized that, and called for a major national research effort to identify treatments.  The scientific community has responded with a dramatic increase in the quality and quantity of proposals that are submitted to the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program, otherwise known as CDMRP.  “In the FY 12 Defense Appropriations bill, CDMRP programs with direct relevance to current forces received a 25% increase.  The research conducted by the Gulf War Veterans Illnesses Research Program is vital not only for ill Gulf War veterans, but also for other military forces.  “As summarized by the IOM committee chair on the topic, Dr. Stephen Hauser, Gulf War illnesses research is ‘vital to the health and effectiveness of current and future military forces, in addition to Gulf War veterans.’   “Most encouraging, CDMRP-funded researchers have completed the first successful pilot study of a medication to treat one of the major symptoms of Gulf War illness.  Just last month, a report was released on the first successful medication program study in the history of Gulf War illness research.  The study showed that the low-cost supplement, Coenzyme Q10, produced significant improvement in one of the most serious symptoms of Gulf War illness, fatigue with exertion, as well as improvements in nearly every other symptom.  It is not a cure, and the study needs be replicated in a larger group, but the result is extremely encouraging. The next step is for clinical trials, which will only be funded by the CDMRP. “The amendment’s offset comes from the Pentagon Channel, which is costly. It is over $29 million in the past 3 fiscal years. It is redundant; there are 8 other armed forces network television services providing news, entertainment, lifestyle, documentary and religious programming to service members and their families across the globe and it does not provide a vital service.  This research is critical to our troops in the field now as well as those that will be fighting in the future. “According to the VA’s Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans’ Illnesses, the known causes of GWI are from exposures incurred in Iraq, like certain pesticides, or are from exposures incurred before deployment, like pyridostigmine bromide, a drug taken as an antidote to the nerve gas, Sarin.  There is also some evidence for a link between GWI and exposure to low-level exposure to nerve agents, close proximity to oil well fires, receipt of multiple vaccines, and combinations of Gulf War exposures.  “Current forces in Iraq and Afghanistan can still incur each of these exposures. That is why the Chair of the IOM Committee report on Gulf War Illnesses said that ‘This IOM report makes findings and recommendations vital to the health and effectiveness of current and future U.S. military forces, in addition to Gulf War veterans.’ “This is a time for us to say thank you to those who served; to say that we understand the suffering that Gulf War veterans have had with this illness and that we are dedicated to finding higher levels of research to make sure that we can relieve their suffering.

Military Times Article Claiming TRICARE Increase Funds CDMRP is Factually Inaccurate

The email below is in response to a factually inaccurate Military Times article that stated the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP) were being funded through raised TRICARE rates.

The U.S. House Appropriations Committee clarified that assertion is false.

The email is from Mark Vieth, who represents two rare disease organizations and has taken a leading role in lashing together a broad coalition of CDMRP support groups.

--Anthony Hardie, Madison, Wis.

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Dear Friends, 

Many of you may have seen an article published in Army Times or Navy Times that suggested that the CDMRPs are funded through reductions in the TRICARE budget.  

I asked Brooke Boyer on the House Appropriations Committee if there was any validity to this, and I wanted to share her response below:

“This article is not factually correct. 

 "Every mark in our bill is done on an individual basis; one mark that decreases funds does not have anything to do with a mark that increases funds elsewhere.  Furthermore, the $330 million that was reduced is FY12 money in the budget request, not FY11 money. 

 "TRICARE funding is operation and maintenance funding, which is only available for one year.  The Committee believes that the budget request overestimates the amount of TRICARE funding necessary in FY12, hence the reduction.”

Mark D. Vieth, Senior Vice PresidentCavarocchi Ruscio Dennis AssociatesWashington, DC

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The flawed information in the Military Times article appears to have been based on the following Senate hearing testimony:

Rick Jones, National Association for Uniformed Services - “And after hearing, for more than a year, that Secretary of Defense and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs say that rising costs retiree health care was crippling our nation's national security, we read that the House Appropriations Committee intends to use $330 million of unexecuted money in the TRICARE health program for funding additional congressionally-directed medical research programs, many of which are outside traditional battlefield medicine, and/or duplicate subjects covered by the National Institute of Health. It's not appropriate.  Our folks might be outraged when they hear this, that their health care (inaudible) pay more for the monies going for additional research in areas unrelated to military”

  

CDMRP-Funded Study Finds the First Treatment for Gulf War Illness Symptoms

A new Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program (CDMRP) study has found the first successful treatment for some aspects of Gulf War Illness (GWI), a neurological disease with immunological dysfunction resulting in an array of chronic, debilitating symptoms that affects more than one in three veterans of the 1991 Gulf War.

The finding comes on the heels of highly flawed Washington Post and Military Times (Army Times, Marine Corps Times, etc.) articles suggesting the tiny CDMRP is duplicative and is taking needed DoD funding from elsewhere.

For GWI, research funding is available through two sources, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the CDMRP.  VA funding is restricted to VA employees.  CDMRP funding is available to any qualified researchers, including in academia or the public or private sectors, through a highly competetive, peer-reviewed process that includes "consumer reviewers" at every stage of the review process. ("Consumer reviewers" are individuals who are personally affected by the disease or disorder being studied.)

The study, led by Dr. Beatrice Golomb of the University of California-San Diego, has found that use of Coenzyme Q10, a powerful anti-oxidant, alleviates some of the most commonly reported symptoms of Gulf War Illness, including headaches, inability to focus, and fatigue after exertion.

The study found that some participants also had reduced chronic diarrhea and improved blood pressure levels.

The treatment uses liquid gel caps of the ubiquinone form of CoQ10 (not "ubiquinol") at 100mg and 300mg daily doses.  Taking the CoQ10 too late in the day, especially at higher doses, may have negatively impacted sleep quality.

The study found that pain relief was greater at the higher dosage.   Dr. Golomb said her study used CoQ10 produced by Jarrow Formulas.

The treatment was targeted at, and appears to have positively impacted the mitochondrial dysfunction believed to be a resultant component of GWI. In 2010, the Institute of Medicine estimated that 250,000 of the 696,842 veterans of the 1991 Gulf War are affected by this chronic multi-symptom illness.

The CDMRP was first funded for GWI in FY2006, and Dr. Golomb's study was among that first group that was funded.  

Read today's Page 4 USA Today news story about the new CDMRP-funded study:

• Anti-oxidants ease Gulf War Syndrome, study finds - USATODAY.com

Gel cap CoQ10 is available at highly discounted prices online at www.swansonvitamins.com.   Dr. Golomb also recommends Carlson brand cod liver oil.


-Anthony Hardie, Madison, Wis.

CDMRP Survives House Approp’s Committee– but Many Programs Including GWI, ALS, MS Would be Cut by 20 Percent

 

(www.91outcomes.com) -- The full House Appropriations Committee met today to markup the FY12 Defense Appropriations bill.  

Despite many rumors that the acclaimed Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program (CDMRP) would be eliminated, there were no CDMRP-related amendments during today’s markup.  It is certainly possible that all the Hill advocacy by dozens of health organizations over the last several weeks made the difference in preventing that.

However, under the House plan, there would be many changes to the previously successful CDMRP programs.  The final FY12 Defense Appropriations Bill as recommended by the Full Committee included the following:

1.      Several existing CDMRP programs would not be funded at all: most notably the sort of catch-all Peer Reviewed Medical Research Program; Neurofibromatosis; Pain Management; Global Deployment of the Force medical research; Armed Forces Institute of Regenerative Medicine; and SBIR to the core funded RDT&E.

2.      Two programs with the most direct military relevance would see 25% increased funding: Traumatic Brain Injury and Psychological Health (increased from $100m to $125m); Orthopedic (from $24m to $30m).

3.      Three new programs were created: Hemorrhage Control; Restorative Transplantation; and, a Joint Warfighter Medical Research Program -- totaling $75m.

4.      The other 17 programs funded in FY11 would be continued but cut by 20%. Despite the most direct military relevance, these included Spinal Cord Injury, Vision, Gulf War Illness, and Alcohol and Substance Abuse Disorders.

FY11 appropriations first, followed by the FY 12 Full Appropriations Committee Bill Recommended Amounts:

1.      ALS $8,000 -- $6,400
2.      Armed Forces Institute of Regenerative Medicine $4,800 -- -0-
3.      Autism Research $6,400 -- $5,100
4.      Bone Marrow Failure Disease Research Program $4,000 -- $3,200
5.      Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy $4,000 -- $3,200
6.      Global HIV/AIDS Prevention $10,000 -- $8,000
7.      Traumatic Brain Injury and Psychological Health $100,000 -- $125,000
8.      Global Deployment of the Force medical research funding -Department of Defense requested transfer to maintain full funding for the program $125,000 -- -0-
9.      Gulf War Illness Peer-Reviewed Research Program $8,000 -- $6,400
10.     Multiple Sclerosis $4,800 -- $3,200
11.     Peer-Reviewed Alzheimer Research $15,000 -- $12,000
12.     Peer-Reviewed Breast Cancer Research Program $150,000 -- $120,000
13.     Peer-Reviewed Cancer Research Program $16,000 -- $12,800
14.     Peer-Reviewed Lung Cancer Research Program $12,800 -- $10,200
15.     Peer-Reviewed Orthopedic Research Program $24,000 -- $30,000
16.     Peer-Reviewed Ovarian Cancer Research Program $20,000 -- $16,000
17.     Peer Reviewed Vision research in conjunction with the DoD Vision Center of Excellence $4,000 -- $3,200
18.     Peer-Reviewed Prostate Cancer Research Program $80,000 -- $64,000
19.     Peer-Reviewed Spinal Cord Research Program $12,000 -- $9,600
20.     Research in Alcohol and Substance Use Disorders $5,200 -- $4,500
21.     SBIR to the core funded RDT&E $1,200 -- -0-
22.     Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC) $6,400 -- $5,100
23.     Pain Management Task Force Research $4,000 -- -0-
24.     Peer Reviewed Medical Research Program $50,000 -- -0-
25.     Neurofibromatosis Research $16,000 -- -0-

New for FY12:

1.      Hemorrhage Control -- $10,000
2.      Joint Warfighter Medical Research Program -- $50,000
3.      Restorative Transplantation Research Program -- $15,000

**UPDATE from Katie Weyforth Vanlandingham of Van Scoyoc Associates: Neurofibromatosis was funded (located in a different part of the bill than the other programs) and like most of the other CDMRP programs took at 20% cut from FY11. The Peer-reviewed medical research program is usually only funded in the Senate bill (and then ends up in the conference report) because they do not individually fund most of the CDMRP programs in their bill.
--

Anthony Hardie
Madison, Wis.

Gulf War Health Research Meetings to be Held in Wash., DC June 27-28

(91outcomes.com) – The next meeting of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans’ Illnesses (RAC-GWVI) will be held in Washington, DC on June 27-28, 2011 at the VA central office at 811 Vermont Ave., NW. 

Among the presenters are Dr. Nancy Klimas, one of the world’s leading researchers on Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS/ME) and Dr. Lea Steele, past Scientific Director of the RAC-GWVI and the principal author of the groundbreaking 2008 RAC Report demonstrating that GWI is real.  Both Klimas and Steele are among the world’s leading researchers on GWI.

Also presenting is Dr. Beatrice Golomb, a renowned researcher and clinician and the first Scientific Director of the RAC-GWVI, who will be presenting the results of the first positive treatment trial for Gulf War Illness.  The study, funded by the acclaimed Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program (CDMRP), finds that Coenzyme Q10 is effective at the mitochondrial level in helping to relieve some GWI symptoms.

Other distinguished presenters include:  Dr. Polly Matzinger of the National Institutes of Health, NIAID; Dr. Gordon Broderick of the University of Alberta, who works closely with Dr. Klimas and Dr. Steele; and, Dr. Scott Panter of the San Francisco VA Medical Center.

VA officials from the Office of Research and Development will also be presenting, including Dr. Timothy O’Leary, Dr. William Goldberg, and
Dr. Joseph Salvatore. 

A committee discussion on the new comprehensive plan for GWI research, which has been developed following a conference with the VA Gulf War Steering Committee, will take up most of the second day of the RAC-GWVI’s meetings.

The tentative RAC-GWVI agenda is as follows.  All meetings are open to the public and public input is both welcome and encouraged during the scheduled public input sessions on both days of the meetings.

The final agenda will be posted at:  http://www.va.gov/RAC-GWVI/Meetings.asp 

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Monday, June 27, 2011

Sonny Montgomery Conference Room, 2nd Floor, U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, Washington, DC

8:00 – 8:30 Informal gathering, coffee

8:30 – 8:35 Welcome, introductory remarks, Mr. Jim Binns, Chairman, RAC-GWVI

8:35 – 9:30 Altered immune functions in Gulf War illness and potential therapies, Dr. Nancy Klimas, Miami VA Medical Center

9:30 -10:30 From Cytokines to Cells to Gene Expression: An Integrative Approach to the Study of Gulf War illness, Dr. Gordon Broderick, University of Alberta

10:30 – 10:45 Break

10:45 – 11:45 The Danger Model of innate immune system activation, Dr. Polly Matzinger, National Institutes of Health, NIAID

11:45 – 12:30 Intranasal administration of toxicants and therapeutics, Dr. Scott Panter, San Francisco VA Medical Center

12:30 - 1:30 Lunch

1:30 – 2:15 Complex factors in the etiology of Gulf War Illness, Dr. Lea Steele, RAC-GWVI

2:15 – 3:00 Co-Enzyme Q10 treatment trial for Gulf War illness, Dr. Beatrice Golomb,  RAC-GWVI

3:00 – 3:45 Gulf War Pre-911 Report overview, Mr. Joseph Salvatore, VA Office of Policy and Planning

3:45 – 4:00 Break

4:00 - 4:30 Federal Advisory Committee Ethics Training, Mr. Jonathan Gurland, VA

4:30 – 5:00 Update of VA Gulf War research funding, Dr. William Goldberg, VA Office of Research and development

5:00 – 5:30 Public comment

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

***PLEASE NOTE DIFFERENT MEETING LOCATION***
Lafayette Building, 811 Vermont Ave., NW, Room 1143, Washington, DC

8:00 – 8:30 Informal gathering, coffee

8:30 - 9:30 Update of VA Gulf War Cooperative  Studies, Dr. Timothy O’Leary, VA Office of Research and development

9:30 – 10:15 Committee Discussion: VA Gulf War Comprehensive Research Strategy, led by Mr. Jim Binns, Chairman, Dr. Roberta White, Scientific Director, RAC-GWVI

10:15 – 10:30 Break

10:30 – 12:00 Committee Discussion (continued): VA Gulf War Comprehensive Research Strategy

12:00 – 12:30 Public comment

12:30 Adjourn

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--Anthony Hardie, Madison, Wis.

GWI and Other CDMRP Funding Fully Intact in Latest Continuing Resolution

 

Today’s news on the Congressional Continuing Resolution is good news for Gulf War  and other veterans and military service members : Gulf War Illness treatment focused research would be continued at $8 million, ALS research would be funded at the same level as GWI, $8 million, and MS research would be funded at $4.8 million.

The following is from the DOD explanatory chart for the latest House Continuing Resolution (CR) for the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP). 

The data is provided courtesy of Gavin Lindberg, Vice President for Legislative Affairs with the Health & Medicine Counsel of Washington (HMCW).

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                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Budget Request      Recommendation  (in $1,000’s)

• ALS     ---     +8,000
• Armed Forces Institute of Regenerative Medicine   ---   +4,800
• Autism Research    ---    +6,400
• Bone Marrow Failure Disease Research Program   ---   +4,000
• Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy   ---  +4,000
• Global HIV/AIDS Prevention   ---    +10,000
• Traumatic Brain Injury and Psychological Health     ---    +100,000
• Global Deployment of the Force medical research funding – Department of Defense requested transfer to maintain full funding for the program     ---    +125,000
• Gulf War Illness Peer-Reviewed Research Program    ---   
  +8,000
• Multiple Sclerosis    ---     +4,800
• Peer-Reviewed Alzheimer Research     ---    +15,000
• Peer-Reviewed Breast Cancer Research Program    ---   +150,000
• Peer-Reviewed Cancer Research Program    ---    +16,000
• Peer-Reviewed Lung Cancer Research Program   ---    +12,800
• Peer-Reviewed Orthopedic Research Program    ---   +24,000
• Peer-Reviewed Ovarian Cancer Research Program   ---   +20,000
• Peer Reviewed Vision research in conjunction with the DoD Vision Center of Excellence    ---    +4,000
• Peer-Reviewed Prostate Cancer Research Program   ---    +80,000
• Peer-Reviewed Spinal Cord Research Program   ---   +12,000
• Research in Alcohol and Substance Use Disorders  ---   +5,200
• SBIR to the core funded RDT&E    ---   +1,200
• Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC)   ---   +6,400 
• Pain Management Task Force Research   ---    +4,000
• Peer Reviewed Medical Research Program   ---   +50,000

TOTAL, DEFENSE HEALTH PROGRAM    (in $1,000’s)
Budget Request:  30,935,111    Recommendation:  31,382,198

 

--Anthony Hardie

CDMRP-Funded Mitochondrial Dysfunction GWI Study Recruiting in Atlanta, Ga.

Study Recruitment Material - Mechanisms of Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Gulf War Syndrome
Funding: DOD, GW080138
Principal Investigator: John Shoffner, M.D.

Study Rationale:

Gulf War syndrome (GWS) is associated with increased incidences of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, pain syndromes, muscle complaints that include fatigue and myalgias, as well as other neurological symptoms. Approximately 100,000 individuals of the 700,000 veterans deployed in 19901991 Gulf War have medical complaints consistent with GWS. Clinical manifestations are similar to those identified in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). Abnormalities in the part of the cell known as mitochondria have been delineated in GWS and CFS. We propose that GWS is determined by a complex interaction of variables that impair mitochondrial function that include genetic susceptibility, pre-Gulf War exposures, Gulf War associated exposures, and aging. This study will be the first comprehensive investigation of mitochondrial function in GWS. Our objective is to establish the cause for symptoms in affected veterans, develop testing that can more easily identify GWS, and ultimately develop treatment protocols for GWS.

The mitochondria have many functions that include changing the foods we eat into a usable form of energy known as ATP (adenosine triphosphate). All the cells of our body use this energy to run the biochemical reactions that allow our cells to function properly. Hence, the mitochondria act as tiny power plants inside of every cell. These power plants also utilize about 95% of the oxygen that we breathe. When the energy (ATP) is produced at normal levels, the cells function normally. When the energy (ATP) is reduced, the cells develop a variety of problems (analogous to a city during a brown out where energy dependent functions begin to fail). The central nervous system and muscle are often affected. These diseases can have their onset at any age and can even be triggered by exposure to certain chemicals and drug exposures. Multiple lines of evidence from the literature and from patients studied in our laboratory suggest that the mitochondria are not functioning properly in GWS and in CFS. Hence, detailed investigation of mitochondrial dysfunction in GWS is a priority.

Over the last two decades, our group has been dedicated to working with patients with mitochondrial defects. Over the years, we described many inherited mutations and biochemical defects that impair mitochondrial function. Our proposal is unique in that we integrate a variety of specialized laboratory techniques that characterize mitochondrial function into a comprehensive investigation. Our proposal is designed to characterize mitochondrial function in 50 veterans with GWS using blood and skin cells.

We will be investigating the skin and blood cells by characterizing precisely how mitochondria are working through detailed investigation of mitochondrial enzyme function, of mitochondria within living cells, of mitochondrial proteins, and of mitochondrial genes.

• Please review the consent form for the study for a complete discussion of the study procedures and risks.
• Participation in the study will take approximately 1.5-2.0 hours of your time.
• The procedures performed during this visit are a clinical evaluation by Dr. Shoffner, drawing blood, and a small skin biopsy from the arm.
• Once again the consent form discusses the study and the procedures in detail.
• Dr. Shoffner will answer your questions about the study.

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MORE INFORMATION

• Study website:  http://www.medicalneurogenetics.com/MMD_in_GWS.asp
• Call:  If you are interested in participation, please call 678-225-0222.
• Consent:  Click here for the consent form.

Promising Gulf War Illness Treatment Study Recruiting Participants in North Carolina

Respected GWI researcher to investigate two promising treatments for GWI with premier DoD-CDMRP funding

91outcomes Editor’s Note:

This Gulf War Illness treatment study is funded by the peer-reviewed, Congressionally Directed, U.S. Department of Defense Gulf War Illness Medical Research Program (CDMRP-GWI), the nation’s premier GWI research program.

Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN), one of the two drugs to be investigated for GWI in this study, has been found to have significant health benefits in patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and several other chronic multi-symptom health conditions.  For more information on LDN, see:  www.lowdosenaltrexone.org.

The study’s Principal Investigator, Dr. William Meggs, is a respected scientist who has served on the Congressionally chartered U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans’ Illnesses (RAC-GWVI) for many years. 

-Anthony Hardie

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GULF WAR ILLNESS STUDY

If you served in the 1991 Gulf War and developed symptoms of Gulf War related illness, you may be eligible to participate in a treatment protocol conducted by Dr. William J. Meggs at the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, in Greenville, North Carolina and sponsored by the Department of Defense.

After a telephone screening interview, participants who qualify and wish to participate will be brought to the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, in Greenville, North Carolina, to undergo an evaluation.

The study will test the benefits of two approved generic drugs, naltrexone and dextromethorphan, in treating the symptoms of Gulf War illnesses. These drugs will be studied because they are beneficial in illnesses similar to Gulf War illnesses, safe, readily available, and reduce inflammation in the brain that may be responsible for some of the symptoms that Gulf War Veterans are having.

If you feel that you may qualify for this study and are interested in participating, please contact Dr. William J. Meggs either by email [ meggsw@ecu.edu, copy to farmera@ecu.edu ], or telephone [252-744-2954].

Gulf War Illness, other CDMRP Programs to Remain Fully Funded this Year under Congressional Funding Bill

House Continuing Resolution contains full funding for Gulf War Illness treatment research, funding for ALS, MS, Lung Cancer, and 21 other key military medical research priorities

Written by Anthony Hardie, 91outcomes.com

(91outcomes.com) – The continuing appropriations (CR) legislation expected to be considered in the U.S. House of Representatives this week contains full funding for the Congressionally Directed, treatment-focused Gulf War Illness Medical Research Program (CDMRP), a move that will be of great relief to the Gulf War veteran community. 

Since the failure of the omnibus appropriations bill at the end of the 112th Congress last December, the Gulf War Illness advocacy community has remained vigilant as current year funding was left as an unwritten promise by Congressional leaders.

As it was funded in the past few years, the Gulf War Illness peer-reviewed treatment-focused research program on which I have served since its initial funding in 2006 would be funded under the House bill at $8 million.  Our program vision statement directs that funded research must help to improve the health and lives of those suffering from Gulf War Illness. 

Led by Chairman Jim Binns, the Congressionally chartered Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans’ Illnesses (RAC-GWVI) on which I serve recommended, sought creation of, and has been instrumental in the funding for the CDMRP program for peer-reviewed Gulf War Illness treatment research.

The House CR would also provide an $8 million appropriation for ALS research funding, a substantial increase over last year.  ALS has been found in epidemic-level rates in veterans of the 1991 Gulf War and is a presumptive condition for service-connection for any U.S. veteran.

ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a rapidly degenerative neurological condition that usually claims the lives of its victims in as short as 18 months after initial diagnosis.  Heavily engaged in advocacy efforts, the ALS Association’s mission is is to lead the fight to treat and cure ALS through global research and nationwide advocacy while also empowering people with Lou Gehrig’s Disease and their families to live fuller lives by providing them with compassionate care and support.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) funding is also included in the House version of the CR, at $4.8 million.  MS is believed by Gulf War veterans to also be highly prevalent among veterans of the 1991 Gulf War.   The National MS Society, heavily involved in advocating for this funding, is a collective of passionate individuals who want to do something about MS now—to move together toward a world free of multiple sclerosis.

MS is a presumptive condition for VA service-connection if it’s diagnosed within seven years of discharge from active duty. 

Under the House version of the CR, peer-reviewed Lung Cancer research would be funded at $12.8 million.  The Lung Cancer Alliance, the only national non-profit organization dedicated solely to patient support and advocacy for people living with lung cancer and those at risk for the disease, has substantial concerns about lung cancer in Gulf War and other veterans.

Led by House Rules Committee Chairman David Drier, new to the current 113th Congress is a House Rules website that allows for relatively transparent and easy tracking of upcoming legislation and bills currently under consideration by the House.    Internet resources for tracking are posted below this article.

Twenty-one other CDMRP peer-reviewed military medical research programs would also be funded under House CR.   The full listing of the critically important CDMRP military medical research programs and their proposed funding levels under the House CR are as follows:

1. ALS $8,000
2. Armed Forces Institute of Regenerative Medicine $4,800
3. Autism Research $6,400
4. Bone Marrow Failure Disease Research Program $4,000
5. Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy $4,000
6. Global HIV/AIDS Prevention $10,000
7. Traumatic Brain Injury and Psychological Health $100,000
8. Global Deployment of the Force medical research funding -Department of Defense requested transfer to maintain full funding for the program $125,000
9. Gulf War Illness Peer-Reviewed Research Program $8,000
10. Multiple Sclerosis $4,800
11. Peer-Reviewed Alzheimer Research $15,000
12. Peer-Reviewed Breast Cancer Research Program $150,000
13. Peer-Reviewed Cancer Research Program $16,000
14. Peer-Reviewed Lung Cancer Research Program $12,800
15. Peer-Reviewed Orthopedic Research Program $24,000
16. Peer-Reviewed Ovarian Cancer Research Program $20,000
17. Peer Reviewed Vision research in conjunction with the DoD Vision Center of Excellence $4,000
18. Peer-Reviewed Prostate Cancer Research Program $80,000
19. Peer-Reviewed Spinal Cord Research Program $12,000
20. Research in Alcohol and Substance Use Disorders $5,200
21. SBIR to the core funded RDT&E $1,200
22. Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC) $6,400
23. Pain Management Task Force Research $4,000
24. Peer Reviewed Medical Research Program $50,000
25. Neurofibromatosis Research $16,000

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MORE INFORMATION:

H.R. 1, Full Year Continuing Appropriations Act, 2011:  http://rules.house.gov/Legislation/legislationDetails.aspx?NewsID=100 

CR DoD Funding Tables:  See Page 54 of 55 --  http://www.rules.house.gov/Media/file/PDF_112_1/legislativetext/2011crapprops/FY%202011%20Department%20of%20Defense%20Base%20Funding.pdf

Senate: $11.8 million for Gulf War related health research in Omnibus

 

Written by Anthony Hardie, 91outcomes

(91outcomes.com) - According to a key staff member in the office of U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), a longtime, leading champion of Gulf War Illness treatment research and other Gulf War related efforts in the U.S. Senate:

Here is what I found in the most recent FY 2011 Omnibus DOD Appropriations currently under consideration. 

Provides $8 million for the Peer Reviewed Gulf War Illness Research Program and $3.8 million for the ALS Therapy Development Institute Gulf War Research Project.

This will ensure continued funding at this year’s level, a wonderful outcome that is even more exceptional given the current challenges facing a lame duck Congress trying to get a lot done in a matter of days left before the end of the year.

And, General “Mic” would probably have been pleased to see this continued, designated funding for Gulf War related ALS funding.

So, in total, it appears highly likely that the FY11 funding for Gulf War related research in the CDMRP will be at $13.8 million, as described above.  Excellent news!

And, according to another key Hill insider from one of the leading veterans service organizations on this issue:

We have no influence on the current funding levels (they have been set by CBO and will not be impacted).

Putting all of our energy into planning a concerted effort to influence the next Authorization funding cycle will be a much more worthy endeavor.

In everyone’s opinion [on the Hill, this year’s GWI funding level] is set in stone at this point.

As noted in the 91outcomes’ earlier article, the House version already had a provision ensuring that DoD funding continues, for the most part, at FY10 levels.  As such, this includes $8 million for the peer reviewed $8 million Gulf War Illness research program.

And, if the Senate should also change course from the proposed “omnibus” appropriations act and move to a “clean” Continuing Resolution like the House has already passed, this will also result in the same funding outcomes for CDMRP Gulf War related health research.

So, good news all around!

NEXT YEAR:

Now is the time to begin thinking about preparing for a concerted effort in the next Congress to seek increased funding for DoD-Army-CDMRP GWI research. 

Given the possibility of new inter-agency, inter-institution research consortiums being funded, having a coordinated message by all organizations and individuals contacting Congress will be of critical importance. 

WHAT NOT TO DO TODAY:

Fragmented messages and random calls by individuals not really clear on what it is for which they’re asking has the strong potential of derailing efforts. 

Anything perceived by members and staff in Congress as having a lack of clear unity on a particular issue -- like CDMRP GWI funding -- can lead to lots of calls and confusion and result in that particular issue – like CDMRP GWI funding -- to be left in the “too hard to do” category and left off from funding entirely.

And, the current “CR” and omnibus appropriations bills do not contain “line items” for these research programs – they’re mostly “clean” bills that simply say to continue funding across the board at last year’s levels.

This also means that there is little if any possibility of changing funding from last year’s levels.

WHAT TO DO TODAY:

So for now, individuals interested in contacting their members of Congress should simply say, “thank you” for the continued funding at this year’s level for all programs, including the DoD-Army-CDMRP peer reviewed Gulf War Illness research program. 

WHAT TO DO AFTER JANUARY 3RD:

Stay tuned here on 91outcomes for updates on concerted efforts in the next Congress, which begins in January. 

It will be important that Gulf War veterans speak with one voice on these critically important issues, particularly with the possibility of a need to fund consortiums with FY12 funding.

Legislative Update: Current Status of DoD Gulf War Illness Research Funding Remains Volatile

 

Written by Anthony Hardie, 91outcomes.com

(91outcomes.com) – Just like last year, monitoring Congressional appropriations actions for the FY11 peer reviewed Gulf War Illness (GWI) research program administered under the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program (CDMRP) and efforts to ensure the program’s funding success remain highly challenging.

As of today, it appears that both House and Senate actions suggest final GWI CDMRP funding for FY11 might be at $8 million, the same level as FY10. However, it should be noted that the situation continues to change rapidly. As always there are no guarantees until the entire Congress sends a final bill to the President.

Continued careful monitoring, combined with veterans advocates and organizations at the ready to contact key members of Congress, will be required.

House

On Wednesday, December 8, 2010, the House narrowly passed by a vote of 212-206 a Continuing Resolution (CR) that provides -- with various unrelated exceptions -- continued FY11 appropriations at FY10 levels, through September 30, 2011.

Under the CR, funding for the GWI program administered by the CDMRP reportedly would be retained at the FY10 funding level of $8 million.

Thirty-five House Democrats sided with 171 House Republicans in voting against the CR, while Eight Democrats and eight Republicans did not vote. This deep division suggests that future prospects for a final omnibus appropriations bill after Senate and conference action may also be challenging.

Senate

The Senate appropriations committee’s FY11 Defense appropriations act report language, which provides detailed funding by line item, directs $8 million for the Peer Reviewed Gulf War Illness Research Program.

The funding was requested in a letter by Senators Sanders, Bond, Feingold, Kerry, Tester, Schumer, Leahy, Durbin, Burris, Brown, Boxer, Snowe, and Kohl.

The Senate bill passed out of committee on September 16, 2010 by an 18-12 vote. Like all the other FY11 appropriations bills, the defense appropriations bill was not considered by the full Senate. However, it may very well remain a guide for future Senate action as discussed below.

Under the report accompanying the Senate bill, total appropriations for the military medical research programs currently operated by the CDMRP would be $358 million. In addition to the GWI appropriation, $150 million would be designated for peer reviewed research on breast cancer, $10 million for ovarian cancer, $80 million for prostate cancer, $60 million for psychological health and traumatic brain injury (TBI), and $50 million for the multifaceted peer reviewed medical research program (PRMRP).

FUTURE PROSPECTS

It is currently expected that the Senate will combine the House’s CR into a Senate omnibus appropriations bill. Any action must be completed by the end of the current Congress on January 3, 2011.

Additionally, the FY11 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) remains an unknown variable in the legislative equation. It remains unclear whether or not the NDAA will pass before the current Congress ends and what impact, if any, an enacted NDAA might have on the CDMRP’s GWI research program.

------------------------------


Looking Back at Last Year: Who to Call

Last year, retaining funding for the Gulf War Illness research program was, as usual, extremely challenging for the handful of veterans advocates and organizations involved.

Initially, the Senate version of the FY10 Defense Appropriations Act lumped Gulf War Illness under the Peer Reviewed Medical Research Program (PRMRP), a catch-all that included more than two dozen conditions including GWI and funded at just $50 million. While the PRMRP restricts research to the listed conditions, there is no guarantee that research will be funded for any particular condition from among those listed.

Initially, the House failed to include funding for the GWI program at all.

However, as the bill went back and forth between the House and Senate, advocacy efforts resulted in amendments to the final bills in both chambers and final FY10 GWI funding at $8 million.

A last minute save on October 1, 2009 by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and four of his colleagues amended (SA 2559) the Senate’s bill to include an amendment that would have appropriated $12 million for the GWI program. Those Senators included Robert Byrd (D-W.Va.), Russ Feingold (D-Wis.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), and Sherrod Brown (D-Oh.).

And, a December 11, 2009 letter by Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-Oh.) and 25 other Members of Congress called for the conference committee to fund the CDMRP’s GWI research program at the Senate’s $12 million level.

Ultimately, the conference committee set final funding for the FY10 GWI program at the original, lower House level of $8 million. Both the House and Senate agreed and the final Defense funding bill was enacted by the President.

GWI research supporters Sanders, Durbin, and Brown remain in the Senate.

However, Byrd died on June 28, 2010 and is being succeeded by former West Virginia Governor Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.). Feingold was defeated in the November 2010 election and is being succeeded by Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), a Tea Party favorite.

GWI research funding supporters who signed onto the December 2010 Kucinich letter included the following. Of the 21 who remain in Congress, only four are Republicans, who will hold the majority in the House beginning January 3, 2011.  

• Rep. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.)
• Rep. Shelley Berkley (D-Nev.)
• Rep. John Boccieri
• Rep. Corrine Brown (D-Fla.)
• Rep. Henry Brown, Veterans’ Affairs Health Subcommittee Ranking Member
• Rep. Dan Burton (R-Ind.)
• Rep. Steve Buyer, House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Ranking Member
• Rep. John Conyers, Jr. (D-Mich.)
• Rep. Bob Filner (D-Calif.), House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chair
• Rep. Charlie Gonzalez (D-Tex.)
• Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-Ariz.)
• Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-Ill.)
• Rep. John Hall
• Rep. Rush Holt (D-N.J.)
• Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-Oh.)
• Rep. Steve LaTourette (D-Oh.)
• Rep. Frank LoBiondo (R-N.J.)
• Rep. Jim McGovern (D-Mass.)
• Rep. Michael Michaud (D-Maine), Veterans’ Affairs Health Subcommittee Chair
• Rep. Gwen Moore (D-Wis.)
• Rep. Collin Peterson (D-Minn.)
• Rep. Mike Quigley (D-Ill.)
• Rep. Janice Schakowsky (D-Ill.)
• Rep. Patrick Tiberi (R-Oh.)
• Rep. Timothy Walz (D-Minn.)
• Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska)

----------------------

FY11 PRMPR

PRMPR research areas in the Senate bill would include the 32 conditions listed below. Four that are particularly relevant to Gulf War veterans are highlighted. The House CR would retain the list the same as in FY10. It should be noted that the final outcome remains indeterminate.

1. amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS),
2. autism,
3. blood cancer,
4. chronic fatigue syndrome,
5. chronic migraine and post-traumatic headache,
6. dental research,
7. drug abuse,
8. epidermolysis bullosa,
9. epilepsy,
10. fragile x syndrome,
11. inflammatory bowel disease,
12. interstitial cystitis,
13. kidney cancer,
14. lupus,
15. melanoma,
16. mesothelioma,
17. multiple sclerosis (MS),
18. neuroblastoma,
19. neurofibromatosis,
20. osteoporosis and related bone disease,
21. Paget's disease,
22. pancreatitis,
23. Parkinson's,
24. pediatric cancer,
25. pheochromocytoma,
26. polycystic kidney disease,
27. post-traumatic osteoarthritis,
28. scleroderma,
29. social work research,
30. tinnitus,
31. tuberous sclerosis complex, and
32. vision research.

----------------
SOURCES:

§ FY11 House Continuing Resolution (CR) for combined FY11 appropriations: H.R. 3082 [Would fund GWIRP at $8 million]

§ Senate FY11 Defense Appropriations Act, S. 3800 [Would fund GWIRP at $8 million]

§ Senate FY11 Defense Appropriations Act Committee Report, S. Rpt 111-295 [Would fund GWIRP at $8 million]

§ FY10 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), PL 111-84 [Authorized GWIRP at $12 million]

§ FY10 Defense Appropriations Act Explanatory Statement (essentially the conference report), p. 367 [Funded GWIRP at $8 million]

Gulf War Illness Medical Treatment Research Funding Panel Meets Today

Opening Moment of Silence Recognizes Severity of Gulf War Illness, Impact on Gulf War Veterans Two Decades After War

Written by Anthony Hardie

(91outcomes.com) – Today, the integration panel of the Congressionally directed Gulf War Illness Research Program (CDMRP is a U.S. Department of Defense military medical research  funding program) will meet in the Washington, DC area to make its final determinations for funding approximately $8 million in Gulf War Illness research proposals.

The program is focused on treatments and research that will lead to treatments in order to improve the health and lives of Gulf War veterans of the 1991 Persian Gulf War.

The funding, appropriated each year by Congress, in contained in the annual Defense authorization and appropriations acts.  This year’s defense authorization bill for has become the subject of news and controversy for several of the proposals it contains, though the media has made no mention of the Gulf War Illness research funding authorization it is believed to contain.

Proceedings of the panel are not public at this stage because the information being discussed includes proposals detailing proprietary intellectual property of the researchers and research institutions involved.

The funded proposals will be announced in the upcoming months, after they have been funded and contracts to perform the proposed research have been completed. 

It is customary for each CDMRP panel to begin with a “Moment of Silence”.  Having been given the honor of making today’s “Moment of Silence,” below is what I will be saying before the scientists, medical doctors, Gulf War veteran “consumer reviewers” and CDMRP staff and contractors begin this morning.

In recognition of the 250,000 veterans of the 1991 Gulf War who remain disabled by chronic multi-symptom illness better known as Gulf War Illness, may God bless these efforts, all the researchers who have worked so hard to develop proposed solutions to help improve the health and lives of Gulf War veterans, and the CDMRP staff, contractors, and reviewers, and the veterans all involved hope to help.

----------------

MOMENT OF SILENCE DEDICATION – Anthony Hardie, Gulf War Veteran

Delivered at the Commencement of the Gulf War Illness Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program’s Integration Panel Meeting at metro Washington, DC., December 2, 2010

The following are real stories from real Gulf War veterans who have written to me in the last few months.

From a A Missouri Navy Gulf War Veteran with PTSD and GWI: “I am a 90-91 veteran of the Gulf War. I have tried to receive help for many years through the Va and other sources. Since my discharge from the Navy I feel as though I really have not had a "good day" , when I am not sick with physical problem I am so withdraw from the outside world. I really don't know why I am writing this to you I just seen this and thought maybe someone would understand. Could you tell me where I could go or what you think Is wrong maybe you have encountered other veterans with some of these same problems.

“I have chronic breathing problems and bad stomach aches and body aches. My nose runs all the time and I have this persistent cough and a lot of time have hoarseness. I hate nighttime I do not sleep. I have severe anxiety and insomnia. I have severe mood swings and most of the time just want to be alone I cannot be around groups of people and really do not ever want to carry on conversations with anyone. I do not have friends and really do not want them. I just feel like life isn't going to be long for me so its hard for me to see the future. Is there any information or advice you could give me to help me and my family before I loose them all. Thank you your fellow veteran.”

And, From a female Gulf War veteran: “I finally (today) filed for VA disability for issues I have been dealing with since 1991 and that have increasingly gotten worse in the last 10 yrs. I filed for Fibromyalgia, Fatigue, tinnitis, headaches, plantar fascitis, and IBS. I did take the little pills and get the shots before deploying, but the military didnt keep records of this! There were also the black pesticide trucks all over Khobar where I lived every night. Main problem is that now, at 42, I can no longer handle the episodes or manage them with rest, diet, supplementation, etc, and new symptoms are cropping up now. I do not think I can work and support myself in a few years when they worsen even more.”

And, after responding to her, “THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU - It is nice to have someone tell me I have a case for my 19 years of suffering!!”

And, from A Medically Retired Army Gulf War Veteran from Kentucky: “ I'm feeling a little crappy, but oh well. I will live. Never had these rashes before the gulf. And they get bad and I get much sicker like I am now . Then my norm. But I have faith, things are going to get better.”

…And so, for the veterans like the Missouri Gulf War veteran with PTSD and GWI who has given up hope…

…For the 42-year-old female Gulf War veteran who is relieved just to know she has a case for her 19 years of suffering….

…For the Gulf War veteran from Kentucky who has faith in what we have been doing and what we are about to do here today…

…And for the approximately 250,000 of our fellow Gulf War veterans still dealing with chronic and debilitating multi-symptom illness not explained by any known psychiatric or medical diagnosis, please join me in a moment of silence before we begin this critically important work today and May God bless our efforts here today.

Senate Defense Subcommittee Continues, Shortchanges Gulf War Illness Research Program

Action Needed Immediately to Increase Funding for Critical, Unparalleled Program

Written by Anthony Hardie

(91outcomes.com) – In surprising news today,  while taking action that would continue the unparalleled research program, the U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Defense Appropriations has short-changed the acclaimed Gulf War Illness Research Program.

While the House version called for more than twice as much, the Senate Subcommittee’s version would appropriate only $8 million for DoD’s Gulf War Illness Research Program.   

The Subcommittee is chaired by Sen. Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii), who also chairs the full Senate Appropriations Committee.   The Subcommittee’s Ranking Republican is Sen. Thad Cochran (R-Miss.).

The program has been funded and managed since 2006 by DoD’ s Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program (CDMRP) at Ft. Detrick, Maryland, earning praise from scientists and veterans alike.

Gulf War Illness, also known as Gulf War Syndrome or Gulf War veterans’ illness research was funded far lower than any other research program, which included $150 million for breast cancer research and $80 million for prostate cancer research.

In another surprising move, ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease) and MS (Multiple Sclerosis) research would be discontinued under the Subcommittee’s proposal. 

Meanwhile, destruction of chemical warfare munitions earned a $1.5 billion recommendation.

Title VI – Other Department of Defense Programs $34.5 billion

Defense Health Programs $31.5 billion

• $595 million above the President’s budget request
• $240 million for cancer research. The total amount is distributed as follows:
• $150 million for the Breast Cancer Research Program
• $80 million for the Prostate Cancer Research Program
• $10 million for the Ovarian Cancer Research Program
• $60 million for the Peer Reviewed Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury Research Program
• $50 million for a medical research program
• A paltry $8 million for the Peer Reviewed Gulf War Illness Research Program

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Gulf War veterans and interested supporters should immediately contact their Senators, especially members of the Senate Appropriations Committee, to demand that the Gulf War Illness Research Program funding be increased to at least $25 million, and to restore funding to the ALS and MS research programs.

More about the programs:  http://cdmrp.army.mil/researchprograms.shtml 

Senate Defense Appropriations Committee Members

Democratic Members

DANIEL K. INOUYE
Hawaii, Chairman
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PATRICK J. LEAHY
Vermont
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TOM HARKIN
Iowa
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BARBARA A. MIKULSKI
Maryland
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HERB KOHL
Wisconsin
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PATTY MURRAY
Washington
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BYRON DORGAN
North Dakota
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DIANNE FEINSTEIN
California
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RICHARD J. DURBIN
Illinois
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TIM JOHNSON
South Dakota
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MARY L. LANDRIEU
Louisiana
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JACK REED
Rhode Island
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FRANK R. LAUTENBERG
New Jersey
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BEN NELSON
Nebraska
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MARK PRYOR
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JON TESTER
Montana
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ARLEN SPECTER
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SHERROD BROWN
Ohio
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Republican Members

THAD COCHRAN
Mississippi, Vice Chairman
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CHRISTOPHER S. BOND
Missouri
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MITCH MCCONNELL
Kentucky
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RICHARD C. SHELBY
Alabama
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JUDD GREGG
New Hampshire
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ROBERT F. BENNETT
Utah
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KAY BAILEY HUTCHISON
Texas
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SAM BROWNBACK
Kansas
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LAMAR ALEXANDER
Tennessee
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SUSAN COLLINS
Maine
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GEORGE VOINOVICH
Ohio
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LISA MURKOWSKI
Alaska
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Read more about the bill’s other appropriations recommendations:    http://appropriations.senate.gov/news.cfm?method=news.view&id=5d9a8abc-e3ee-4c49-9649-1f1311286566

DoD Provides Public Briefing on Gulf War Illness Research Program

Annually Funded Program Currently Being Reviewed for Funding by Congress

Written by Anthony Hardie

(91outcomes.com) – The U.S. Department of Defense’s Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program (CDMRP) has released a new public briefing that provides an inspiring view of its treatment-focused Gulf War Illness Research Program.

The briefing -- first given to those in attendance at the VA Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans’ Illnesses  (RACGWVI) public meeting on June 29 at the VA’s central office in Washington, DC -- provides a unique overview of the groundbreaking program.

Delivered by CDMRP director, U.S. Navy Captain Melissa Kaime, M.D., the briefing provides an overview of the CDMRP’s Gulf War Illness Research Program, followed by a history of funding for the program and the balanced portfolio of programs funded through the program.

Included in the briefing, the studies focus on novel treatments and research that will ultimately lead to treatments for Gulf War veterans with Gulf War Illness.  They included the following studies in the most recent annual funding round (FY09), totaling approximately $6.3 million:

• Dr. David Carpenter (ITEA), State University of New York, Albany -- Gulf War Illness: Evaluation of an Innovative Detoxification Program
• Dr. Ashok Tuteja (ITEA), Western Institute for Biomedical Research -- Probiotic (Bifidobacterium infantis) for Gulf War Illness
• Dr. Henry Heng (IIRA), Wayne State University -- Genome Instability: A Common Link in Gulf War Illness Patients
• Dr. Anne Louise Oaklander (IIRA), Massachusetts General Hospital -- Undiagnosed Small Fiber Polyneuropathy: Is It a Component of Gulf War Illness?
• Dr. Mohan Sopori (IIRA), Lovelace Biomedical & Environmental Research Institute -- Neuroimmune Interactions, Low-Dose Sarin Inhalation, and Gulf War Syndrome
• Dr. Gordon Broderick (IIRA), University of Alberta -- Theory-Driven Models for Correcting "Fight or Flight" Imbalance in Gulf War Illness
• Dr. John Repine (IIRA), University of Colorado, Denver -- Exhaled Gas Frequency Comb Spectroscopy Distinguishing Biomarkers in Gulf War Illness Syndrome
• Dr. Timothy Juergens (IIRA), University of Wisconsin, Madison:  Homeostatic and Circadian Abnormalities in Sleep and Arousal in Gulf War Syndrome

The DoD program is focused on improving the health and lives of Gulf War veterans with Gulf War Illness.  It is funded through annual appropriations by Congress. 

This week, the U.S. House of Representatives is considering whether to fund this program again this year, and if so at what level.

In its 2008 study provided to the VA and Congress, the RACGWVI recommended funding at $40 million per year. 

A recent 91outcomes.com article provided information on how to support this program.

The full June 29, 2010 CDMRP briefing on the DoD’s Gulf War Illness Research Program can be viewed in the 91outcomes.com document archive.