Telegaph: UK Soldier died from exposure depleted uranium during Gulf War

The death of a former soldier from colon cancer was "more likely than not" caused by his exposure to depleted uranium during the first Gulf War, an inquest has heard.

Published: 2:22PM BST 10 Sep 2009

(United Kingdom -- Telegraph.co.uk) -- The hearing in Smethwick, West Midlands, was told that Stuart Dyson died 17 years after being exposed to particles of the substance used in munitions during the 1991 conflict.

Mr Dyson, who served in the Royal Pioneer Corps, died aged 39 in June last year after a battle against colon cancer which spread to his liver and spleen.

Giving evidence to an inquest jury, Professor Christopher Busby, an expert on the effects of uranium on health, said Mr Dyson's cancer was ''more likely than not'' caused by ingestion and inhalation of the substance during his service in the Gulf.

The witness, a visiting professor at the University of Ulster, added: ''It (uranium) is actually much more dangerous than it originally appeared to be.

''The interesting thing about Mr Dyson's cancer is that he was extremely young - the chances of him acquiring cancer were something like six per million per year.''

Professor Busby said he had visited Iraq in 2000 and had found particles of depleted uranium with dangerously high radiation levels near the wrecks of tanks destroyed during the war.

The expert told the jury: ''We also know in this case that he was cleaning tanks and generally walking about in Gulf War One, where there was a significant amount of depleted uranium in the air.

''Mr Dyson was exposed by inhalation and ingestion.

''My feeling about Mr Dyson's colon cancer is that it was produced because he ingested some radioactive material and it became trapped in his intestine.

''It's certainly much more probable than not that Mr Dyson's cancer was caused by exposure to depleted uranium.''

Mr Dyson's widow Elaine, who lives in Brownhills, West Midlands, said her husband had suffered from a variety of complaints after leaving the military.

The soldier served in the Gulf between January and May 1991, cleaning tanks before they were sent back the UK, and left the Army in 1992.

Mrs Dyson said her husband had once been very fit, even boxing and playing rugby for the army, but had suffered sleep problems, night sweats, creaking bones, and cold sores as his health deteriorated over the years.

''He was convinced that his time in the Gulf was where the cancer had come from,'' she told the inquest.

Mrs Dyson said there was no history of colon cancer in her husband's family and his immune system had appeared to "run down" once he returned from the Gulf.

Summing up the evidence to the jury panel, Black Country coroner Robin Balmain said he had received a submission from a scientific adviser to the Ministry of Defence, who had concluded Mr Dyson's cancer arose naturally and there was no evidence to associate it with his exposure to depleted uranium.

The MoD, which was informed in March that Mr Busby had been called to give expert evidence, was not represented at the hearing.

"It is in my view somewhat disappointing that the Ministry of Defence chose not to come here and assist you with any expert evidence which might have put forward the contrary view," the coroner told the jury.

Novel CDMRP-Funded Clinical Trial: Acupuncture

Editor's note:  A new treatment trial for Gulf War Illness, funded by the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program (CDMRP), focuses on the use of a potentially novel treatment, Acupuncture -- an ancient Eastern form of medicine. The study is being conducted by the New England School of Acupuncture (NESA).

=========================

According to the New England School of Acupuncture:

Our study investigates the benefits of acupuncture for reducing symptoms of GWI, compared to usual care. We plan to recruit 120 veterans with GWI, who will receive individualized acupuncture twice per week for 2 months, followed by once per week for 4 months. Because the syndrome is characterized by a highly individualized presentation of symptoms, this type of acupuncture may be particularly well suited to its treatment. Changes in symptom severity will be tracked by reliable, validated scales and questionnaires. We also plan to gather data from blood samples from participants to study biological markers of inflammation, immune function, and effects of stress. We expect this line of research will be helpful in understanding the pathology of the disease and also the effects of acupuncture. Since GWI is a new disease, our study team will characterize it in terms of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), based on clinical observation, the biological effects of the disease, and according to source materials of the Oriental Medicine (OM) tradition. Often, as scholars of OM, we focus on its traditional aspects, its 2000-year old history. But OM is also a living tradition, a model of health and healthcare that can be used to treat modern diseases, such as neurological damage from poisoning.

NESA’s study team is led by Principal Investigator, Dr. Lisa Conboy, Co-Director of Research. Meredith St. John, an Associate Professor at NESA, is a Co-Investigator. “One of the greatest benefits of this study for me is the opportunity to work with some of the top researchers on acupuncture. “ Meredith indicated. “Lisa is a social epidemiologist whose work has focused on researching OM naturalistically, the way it’s actually practiced by clinicians, and its impact on patients’ quality of life.” Dr. Rosa Schnyer, of Harvard Medical School’s Osher Institute, is a consultant on our study, and has published extensively on issues of acupuncture research. ”I feel so fortunate to be able to provide acupuncture to these veterans, whose service in this war led to these injuries. It’s just not right that so little has been done to help them. We already know that acupuncture often is helpful for many of the symptoms these vets have, and we expect to help many of them feel a lot better.”

Source: Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans’ Illnesses. Gulf War Illness and the Health of Gulf War Veterans: Scientific Findings and Recommendations. Washington, D.C: U.S. Government Printing Office, November 2008. (www1.va.gov/RAC-GWVI/)

Meredith St. John’s acupuncture practice is in South Natick, MA. (www.acupuncture-online.com)

CDMRP Seeking Consumer Reviewers for Gulf War Illness, PTSD, TBI Research Programs

SOURCE: Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program

(CDMRP - September 7, 2009) -- The following Department of Defense, Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP)—Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), Gulf War Illness, Lung Cancer, Peer Reviewed Cancer (skin cancers and genetic cancers as related to exposure during deployments), Peer Reviewed Orthopaedic, Psychological Health (including PTSD)/Traumatic Brain Injury, and Spinal Cord Injury—are looking for current or former U.S. military personnel and/or family caregivers to serve as consumer reviewers of scientific proposals to help determine the research that will be funded this year.

This program was established to fund and manage research grants designed to address the
prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and mitigation of these conditions, diseases and/or illnesses.
Consumers participate in the scientific peer review process as representatives of those living with the condition/disease/illness that has touched their lives.

They provide a broad perspective of condition-related issues important to their community. They may be survivors who have been affected by the conditions, diseases and/or illnesses or family members caring for individuals with the condition/disease/illness. Consumers who are not active duty military are nominated by their advocacy, outreach, support organization or treatment professional to participate in this important process. Consumers who are military personnel may apply directly.

If you are interested in learning more about this exciting opportunity call (301) 360-2150, or e-mail Ann Dodelin at ann_dodelin@sra.com or Carolyn Branson at carolyn_branson@sra.com.

You can also check the CDMRP Web site at http://cdmrp.army.mil for additional information.

Boston Univ. Study Adds More Evidence for Role of Pesticides, Pills in Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses

Written by Anthony Hardie, 91outcomes

(91outcomes.blogspot.com - Kansas City, Mo., Thursday, September 3, 2009) -- The early results of a new study of pesticide exposures and anti-nerve agent pills in veterans of the 1991 Gulf War provides additional evidence that their multiple exposures contributed to their continued, chronic ill health. The study, funded by the Gulf War Illness Research Program (GWIRP) of the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program (CDMRP), was presented this week at the 2009 Military Health Research Forum in Kansas City, Missouri.

These early findings by Boston University epidemiologist Kimberly Sullivan, Ph.D. and her team of scientists are consistent with other similar studies of people chronically exposed to low doses of pesticides, which showed similar subtle effects on cognition and mood resulting from the exposures. The study's results are also consistent with major U.S. Government studies concluding that these types of pesticides could be among the contributing factors to some of the undiagnosed illnesses in veterans of the 1991 Gulf War.

The pesticides are in the same class of chemicals -- acetylcholinesterase (AcHE) inhibitors -- as the pyridostimine bromide (PB) anti-nerve agent pills taken by about 250,000 (DOD estimate) troops during the 1991 Gulf War. In all, 696,842 U.S. troops served during the war, with the federal government now acknowledging that approximately 175,000 to 210,000 or more remain ill with a unique form of chronic multi-symptom illness commonly known as Gulf War Illness (GWI) or Gulf War Syndrome.

Sullivan's research team interviewed 298 pest control military personnel who served in the 1991 Gulf War, including physicians, entomologists, environmental science officers, preventive medicine specialists, field sanitation team members, military police, and other pest controllers. In total, 159 inviduals were recruited from among the group for neuropsychological examination during a four-year time period.

The study subjects were divided into four groups, depending upon which combination of exposures they had to low- and high-dose pesticides and PB pills. The group with both high pesticides and PB had significantly higher rates of reported health and mood symptoms, were significantly more likely to meet criteria for chronic multi-symptom illness (CMI), and performed significantly worse on psychomotor testing.

Prior to Sullivan's study, it was unknown whether the cohort of Gulf War pesticide applicators had lasting neuropyschological or health problems, and if so, whether their health issues might correspond to their level of AcHE exposures.

In November 2008, a definitive U.S. federal government report on Gulf War veterans' health released by the Congressionally-chartered Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses found that the combination of pesticides and PB used during the Gulf War were common factors in many Gulf War veterans and at least partially caused their resultant chronic multi-symptom illness. Several other toxic exposures, including sarin and cyclosarin nerve agent, microfine particulate matter from the hundreds of oil well fires lit by retreating Iraqi troops, and other Gulf War exposures could also not be ruled out as additional causes.

VA Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans to Meet in D.C. Sep. 15-16

[Federal Register: August 31, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 167)]
[Notices] [Page 44901]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr31au09-136]
============================================
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans; Notice of Meeting

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) gives notice under Public Law 92-463 (Federal Advisory Committee Act) that the Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans will meet on September 16-17, 2009, in Room 819 at the Lafayette Building, 811 Vermont Avenue, NW., Washington, DC, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. The meeting is open to the public.

The purpose of the Committee is to provide advice and recommendations to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs on issues that are unique to Veterans who served in the Southwest Asia theater of operations during 1990-1991 period of the Gulf War.

The principal purpose of the meeting is to finalize the Committee's report to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. A public comment period will take place on September 16 from 9:15 a.m.-9:45 a.m.

Individuals wishing to speak must register not later than September 11, 2009 by contacting Lelia Jackson and by submitting 1-2 page summaries of their comments for inclusion in the official record.

Public comments will be limited to five minutes each. A sign-in sheet will be available each day. Members of the public may also submit written statements for the Committee's review to the Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20420.

Interested parties may also listen in by teleconferencing into the meeting. The toll-free teleconference line will be open daily from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. (Eastern Standard Time). To register for the teleconference, contact Lelia Jackson at (202) 461-5758 or via e-mail at lelia.jackson@va.gov.

Any member of the public seeking additional information should
contact Laura O'Shea, Designated Federal Officer, at (202) 461-5765.

Dated: August 26, 2009.
By Direction of the Secretary.

E. Philip Riggin,
Committee Management Officer.
[FR Doc. E9-20979 Filed 8-28-09; 8:45 am]

Can Mifepristone Improve Gulf War Illness Symptoms? Trial at Mount Sinai Intends to Find Out

ProHealth article

“A positive outcome would provide a new therapeutic avenue for treating ill gulf War veterans, for whom there are currently few treatment options.”

Presentations at the Military Health Research Forum this week, convened to share information on treating Gulf War Illness (GWI), Aug 31-Sep 3 in Kansas City, MO, include a paper on this ongoing trial at Mount Sinai Medical School in New York:
A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Crossover Trial of Mifepristone in Gulf War Veterans with Chronic Multisymptom Illness (CMI)

The trial is funded and managed by the DOD's Gulf War Illnesses Research Program and Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs, respectively.

In summary, according to a related news release:

• A large percentage of Gulf War veterans - estimates range from 34% to 65% - continue to suffer from chronic multi-symptom illness, also known as GWI.

• Symptoms can include fatigue, joint pain, headache, rash and cognitive problems, which may reflect altered regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis.

• The HPA axis is responsible for regulating many things in the body, from the immune system and energy usage, to controlling reactions to stress and trauma.

• Abnormal functioning of the HPA leads to negative effects on many systems in the body, including the immune system and the nervous system.

• Studies have shown that veterans of the 1991 Gulf War have an enhanced [exacerbated] neuroendocrine response to a specific type of hormone called glucocorticoids.

• The increased physical response is associated with chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, and post-traumatic stress disorder, all of which can occur with chronic multisymptom illness.

• This study aims to determine if the prescription drug mifepristone, a glucocorticoid receptor antagonist could decrease the enhanced response and therefore improve the physical and mental health and cognitive functioning of Gulf War veterans. [Commonly known as 'the morning after pill,' mifepristone has been studied as therapy for a variety of ills, from uterine fibroids to major depression.]

• Researchers from the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York and the James J. Peters VA Medical Center in the Bronx are evaluating veterans of the 1991 Gulf War with chronic multisymptom illness but without any exclusionary psychiatric or medical conditions.

• All subjects will be treated for a six-week time period with the mifepristone compound and then, a month later, treated with an alternative compound (placebo) in a crossover design. [To see the ClinicalTrials.gov listing of the trial - NCT00691067 - click here.]

• Researchers will then evaluate physical health, cognitive functioning and mental health in subjects and determine if there is improvement in these areas in relation to mifepristone administration.

"A positive outcome would provide a new therapeutic avenue for treating ill Gulf War veterans, for whom there are currently few treatment options," says principal investigator Julia Golier, MD. "The trial will also provide an important proof of concept of whether this type of drug will improve physical health and cognitive outcomes in symptomatic Gulf War veterans, thus improving their overall health."

DALLAS MORNING NEWS EDITORIAL: "Find the Truth About Gulf War Illness"

Dallas Morning News Editorial

(Dallas, Tex. - September 1, 2009) -- Just a few weeks ago, congressional influence and a large dose of common sense seemed to have saved UT Southwestern Medical Center's research efforts into why so many veterans of the 1990-91 Gulf War returned home with unexplained illnesses.

But despite the efforts of Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison and Rep. Chet Edwards, D-Waco, to resolve the dispute, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs last week pulled the research plug.

It's critical that this potentially ground-breaking research doesn't wilt on the bureaucratic vine. Unless a new arrangement is reached quickly, the VA's decision would dash the hopes of veterans seeking answers to their illnesses and could leave UT Southwestern holding the bag for millions of dollars in research for which it hasn't been paid.

The solution rests with the VA. In the same report in which it urged termination, the VA's inspector general noted that the project could have been funded with a federal grant instead of a contract. Moreover, it was noted that this change would have reduced bureaucratic red tape associated with federal contracts and averted the disputes that led to the contract's cancellation.

It is particularly ironic that it was the VA that originally pressed for a contract instead of a grant, which is the more common scientific research agreement.

This strikes this newspaper as a relatively simple change that would allow the research to move forward.

Research findings could change the lives and treatment options for thousands who bravely served their country and have lived for nearly two decades without answers. Reactions to nerve gas, other chemical weapons, pesticides, depleted uranium munitions or some combination are among the possible causes being investigated.

Too many avoidable squabbles have stalled the research since Hutchison earmarked the original $75 million in 2005 to fund the five-year research program. VA officials say the agency will continue its own research into the source of the illnesses and not abandon Gulf War veterans.

Perhaps, but given the ongoing battle between Vietnam veterans' organizations and the VA over the effects of Agent Orange, a chemical defoliant used throughout that conflict, we think Gulf War vets deserve the sort of independent research that UT Southwestern can provide.

========================

SIDEBAR: Anatomy of a stalemate

Complications in the partnership between the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and UT Southwestern Medical Center:

•The two have struggled over which owns data generated by research on Gulf War veterans.

•UT Southwestern tried to stop the VA from accessing some research info. Both sides cited concerns about veterans' privacy.

•UT Southwestern's method of calculating researcher salaries prevented the VA from determining whether they complied with the contract.

•The VA initially claimed ownership of all $5,000 and up equipment, including laptop computers.

•The VA rejected invoices for reimbursement because of errors involving unauthorized travel, salary rates and other matters.

•The two disagreed about research personnel training of research personnel.

•The VA moved personnel to UT Southwestern to help researchers, but their laptops didn't have the proper software to do their jobs.

SOURCE: Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General

TELEGRAPH: Story of Injured UK Gulf War Veteran's Hero Dog to be Made into Movie

The story of an "heroic" dog who helped his owner cope with life after he was injured in the Gulf War is being turned into a multi-million pound Hollywood film.

Written by Lucy Cockroft, The Daily Telegraph (UK)

Endal pictured at the graveside of a cat named Simon

(London, UK - The memoir of Allen Parton's assistance dog, Endal, was noticed by producers after it became an international best-seller.

Mr Parton, 50, from Clanfield, near Portsmouth, wrote the book about how his labrador, Endal, helped him adjust to life as a wheelchair user.

He had suffered head injuries in the first Gulf War and was in hospital for five years.

When he woke form a coma he did not even know he was married.

But with the help of Endal, who passed away in March, he regained his independence and family life.

Mr Parton said: "The book was an international best-seller – it touched so many people.

"We were approached earlier in the year because they wanted to do a movie about it.

"They have been working on it for quite some time now and the producers have been sending contracts across London in the back of taxis. It's all very exciting."

Endal was hailed as one of the world's most intelligent dogs after it emerged he had learnt to help Mr Parton use a cash machine and a washing machine.

He could even put his master in the recovery position if he fell unconscious and would then get help.

A documentary about Endal captured the imagination of producer Simon Brooks who said he wants either Colin Firth or Michael Sheen to play Allen with Kate Winslet or Rachel Weisz as his wife, Sandra.

Mr Brooks, owner of Canyon Creek Films, said: "I'm a dog owner as well and one night I was flicking through the channels when I came across Endal's story by accident.

"The more I looked into it, the more moved I became and I thought: 'this is a movie'.

"Allen and Sandra's story is simply extraordinary. I can't comprehend how they have made it through."

Work has started on the first draft of the script by Calendar Girls scriptwriter Juliette Towhidi.

Filming should begin in Britain or Ireland next year with a budget of up to £5 million.

Mr Parton said it will end on a high note with his new assistance dog, EJ, taking Endal's place.

Researchers Discuss New study on Gulf War Illlness Treatment at Military Health Research Forum

Clinical Trial of the Drug Mifepristone Aims to Evaluate Treatment of Gulf War Illness Symptoms

(KANSAS CITY, Mo. — September 1, 2009 // CDMRP Release ) — New research on treating Gulf War Illness (GWI) was presented today at the Military Health Research Forum (MHRF), a scientific meeting hosted by the Department of Defense (DOD) Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP). GWI is a condition that affects approximately 25 percent of service men and women who served in the 1990-1991 Gulf War. It is characterized by symptoms including fatigue, headache, joint pain, sleep disturbances, and memory problems, and is potentially a result of the veterans’ exposure to toxic elements during their time on duty.

The study was funded by the Gulf War Illnesses Research Program (GWIRP) and managed by the CDMRP. The GWIRP strives to improve the health and lives of veterans who have GWI by supporting innovative research to improve its diagnosis, to better understand its pathobiology and to identify effective treatments for its array of symptoms.

“This program represents much needed movement to address the health concerns of those individuals who served the United States during the Gulf War,” said Captain E. Melissa Kaime, M.D., Director of the CDMRP. “In order to further assist our veterans, more extensive research of GWI and effective treatments for its various conditions is much needed.”

A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Crossover Trial of Mifepristone in Gulf War Veterans with Chronic Multisymptom Illness (CMI)
Principal Investigator: Julia Golier, M.D., Bronx Veterans Medical Research Foundation, Inc.

A large percentage of Gulf War veterans – estimates range from 34 to 65 percent – continue to suffer from chronic multisymptom illness, also known as GWI. Symptoms can include fatigue, joint pain, headache, rash and cognitive problems, which may reflect altered regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. The HPA axis is responsible for regulating many things in the body, from the immune system and energy usage, to controlling reactions to stress and trauma. Abnormal functioning of the HPA leads to negative effects on many systems in the body, including the immune system and the nervous system.

Studies have shown that veterans of the 1991 Gulf War have an enhanced neuroendocrine response to a specific type of hormone called glucocorticoids. The increased physical response is [also] associated with chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia and post-traumatic stress disorder, all of which can occur with chronic multisymptom illness. This study aims to determine if mifepristone, a glucocorticoid receptor antagonist, could decrease the enhanced response and therefore improve the physical and mental health and cognitive functioning of Gulf War veterans.

Researchers from the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York and the James J. Peters VA Medical Center in the Bronx are evaluating veterans of the 1991 Gulf War with chronic multisymptom illness but without any exclusionary psychiatric or medical conditions. All subjects will be treated for a six-week time period with the mifepristone compound and then, a month later, treated with an alternative compound (placebo) in a crossover design. Researchers will then evaluate physical health, cognitive functioning and mental health in subjects and determine if there is improvement in these areas in relation to mifepristone administration.

“A positive outcome would provide a new therapeutic avenue for treating ill Gulf War veterans, for whom there are currently few treatment options,” says Julia Golier, M.D., a psychiatrist at Mount Sinai. “The trial will also provide an important proof of concept of whether this type of drug will improve physical health and cognitive outcomes in symptomatic Gulf War veterans, thus improving their overall health.”

A webcast of the Presentation with PowerPoint slides and corresponding audio is available online.

About the CDMRP Gulf War Illness Research Program

The Gulf War Illness Research Program (GWIRP) strives to improve the health and lives of veterans who have Gulf War Illness by funding innovative research to improve its diagnosis, better understand its pathobiology, and identify effective treatments for its array of symptoms.

In the GWIRP, Gulf War veterans participate equally with research professionals on review panels and play a pivotal role in maintaining an appropriate focus within the program. For the 2008 fiscal year, the program offered three award mechanisms to support research in the pathobiology, detection and treatment of GWI. In 2009, the program is offering two award mechanisms focusing on development of treatments and one award mechanism focusing on pathobiology and improved diagnostics. To date, the GWIRP has funded 9 awards from 2006 with approximately 12 more approved for funding from 2008 that are still in negotiations.

Nearly 700,000 men and women served in the 1990–1991 Gulf War. Population-based studies consistently indicate that as many as 225,000 of these veterans experience a variety of symptoms including chronic headaches, widespread pain, persistent fatigue, gastrointestinal difficulties, respiratory conditions, skin irritations, and cognitive problems. These symptoms are potentially a result of exposure to neurotoxins including pesticides and anti-nerve agents. Gulf War veterans are also twice as likely to develop amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, also known as ‘Lou Gehrig’s Disease’) than the general population, though the reasons for this incidence are not yet understood. Although the research community has answered some medical questions pertaining to Gulf War veterans’ experiences, more extensive knowledge of GWI pathophysiology and effective treatments for these various symptoms are still needed.

Department of Defense-funded GWI research began in fiscal year 1994 with the establishment of a Gulf War Veterans’ Illnesses Research Program (GWVIRP) to study the health effects of service members deployed in the 1991 Persian Gulf War. From the mid-1990s to 2005, the United States Army Medical Research and Materiel Command’s Military Operational Medicine Research Program (MOMRP) managed the GWVIRP. Research pertaining to GWI was also funded intermittently through the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program’s (CDMRP) Peer Reviewed Medical Research Program.

The MOMRP shared management responsibility for the GWVIRP with the CDMRP in fiscal year 2006 with separate $5 million appropriations. Although the GWVIRP did not receive funding in fiscal year 2007, a $10 million appropriation in fiscal year 2008 renewed the program, under the new name GWIRP, for full management by the CDMRP. In fiscal year 2009, a congressional appropriation of $8 million continued the GWIRP. Congress also directed separate funding for ALS research through the CDMRP in 2007 and again in 2009.

Promising Research on Gulf War Illness, other Deployment Health Issues Presented at Key Scientific Meeting

(KANSAS CITY, Mo., Sept. 1 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ CDMRP Release) -- From Gulf War Illness to traumatic brain injury to post-traumatic stress disorder to suicide, veterans face some of the most pressing conditions confronting the health care system today. And today's troops fighting the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan return home with medical challenges often unique to members of the military.

Research to address these needs is underway, and the work of hundreds of investigators engaged in the effort is being showcased September 1-3 at the Military Health Research Forum in Kansas City. The Forum is a conference designed to bring together investigators funded by the Department of Defense Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs as well as invited speakers, consumers, members of the military health care system and DOD policy makers to facilitate the exchange of information and the development of new collaborations, and learn about research advancements funded through the host programs.

Areas of research include Gulf War Illness, psychological health, neuroprotection, rehabilitation, substance abuse, family issues and many more.


To view the Multimedia News Release, go to: http://www.prnewswire.com/mnr/militaryhealth/39824/

Among the highlighted abstracts:

* New research on treating Gulf War Illness, a condition that affects approximately 25 percent of service men and women who served in the 1990-1991 Gulf War. [ Read more about cutting edge Gulf War Illness treatments research ]

* Treatment for, and prevention of traumatic brain injury. Often called the "signature injury" of the Iraqi war, TBI can lead to a range of symptoms including headache, confusion, behavior change, memory trouble, convulsions and others. Topics examined include brain tissue regeneration, driving problems after mild TBI and the use of biomarkers to determine the extent of TBI. [ Read more about brain injury disagnostic and treatment oriented research initiatives ]

* Innovative treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Depending on the conflict in which they served, 10 to 30 percent of soldiers who have spent time in war zones experience the debilitating and life altering symptoms of PTSD. Topics examined include employing virtual environments and novel medicines to help military personnel diagnosed with PTSD and or/other co-morbidities, and the use of psychiatric service dogs to help troops manage the symptoms of PTSD. [Read more about groundbreaking PTSD research ]

* General military health, including potential treatments for spinal cord injury, nutrition's impact on cognitive performance in pilots and the effectiveness of a family based reintegration program. [Read more ]

About the Military Health Research Forum

The MHRF is a scientific conference for presenting research studies funded by the DOD CDMRP Peer-Reviewed Medical, Gulf War Illness, and Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury Research Programs. Research supported by these programs addresses the healthcare needs of the Armed Forces and their families, veterans and the American public.

The MHRF brings together scientists, clinicians, consumer advocates, policymakers and the military to learn about research and product development advancements supported by the host programs. The conference includes invited presentations by noted scientists, educational sessions on topics of general interest and poster and symposium presentations by CDMRP-funded investigators across programs. The MHRF is designed to promote the exchange of ideas to facilitate research progress, the development of new partnerships and the translation of research findings into field-ready methods and products.

About the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs

In the early 1990s, the breast cancer advocacy community launched a grassroots effort to raise public awareness of the crucial need for increased funding of breast cancer research. Beginning in fiscal year 1992 (FY92), Congress appropriated $25 million for breast cancer research to be managed by the Department of Defense. The following year, Congress continued to respond to the advocacy movement and appropriated $210 million for breast cancer research, marking the beginning of the U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command’s Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs. The CDMRP represents a unique partnership among the public, Congress and the military. Because of continued and expanded advocacy efforts, the CDMRP has grown to encompass multiple targeted programs and has received more than $5.3 billion in total appropriations for all CDMRP programs from its inception in FY93 through FY09.

Please visit www.cdmrpcures.org/press for updates on the Military Health Research Forum.

FRANCE: Insect Repellant Affects Nervous System, Research May Shed Light on Gulf War Syndrome

Written by Marlowe Hood, Agence France-Presse

(PARIS, Agence France Presse (AFP)) - One of the world's most common insect repellents acts on the central nervous system in the same way as some insecticides and nerve gases, according to a study released on Wednesday.

Moderate use of the chemical compound, called deet, is most likely safe, the researchers say.

But experiments on insects, as well as on enzymes extracted from mice and human neurons, showed for the first time that it can interfere with the proper functioning of the nervous system.

The researchers say further studies are "urgently needed" to assess deet's potential toxicity to humans, especially when combined with other chemical compounds.

Their findings may also shed some light on the so-called "Gulf War Syndrome," the name given to a complex and variable mix of neurological symptoms reported by tens of thousands of U.S. military veterans who served in the first Gulf War against Iraq in 1990-1991.

Developed by U.S. Department of Agriculture scientists just after the Second World War, deet has been available as a bug repellent for more than five decades.

Sold as lotions, creams and sprays in concentrations from five to 100 per cent, it has been widely used not just by weekend campers but as a frontline barrier against malaria, dengue fever and other mosquito-borne diseases.

Some 200 million people use deet-based products every years, according to the study, published in the British-based open-access journal BMC Biology.

Scientists still don't know exactly how the compound works on blood-seeking insects. Some say it blocks the sensory neurons that would be titillated by a potential meal, while others hypothesize that bugs are simply put off by the smell.

More surprising still, there is relatively little research on the effects of deet in humans.

"It has been used for many years, but there are recent studies now that show a potential toxicity," said Vincent Corbel, a researcher at the Institute for Development Research in Montpellier, France, and lead author of the study.

"What we have done is identify a neurological target for this compound," he told AFP by phone.

In experiments, Corbel and a team of scientists co-led by Bruno Lapied of the University of Angers discovered that deet interferes with the normal breaking down of acetylcholine (ACh), the most common neurotransmitter in the central nervous system.

It does so by blocking the enzyme that normally degrades ACh, acetylcholinesterase, or AChE. The result is a toxic build-up of ACh that ultimately prevents the transmission of signals across the neuron synapse, the study found.

A class of insecticides called carbamates, as well as the nerve gas sarin, work in the same way, only the effects are stronger and last much longer.

Which is where the Gulf War Syndrome comes in.

"Many of the pesticides used in the Gulf War, as well as PB and nerve agents, exert toxic effects on the brain and nervous system by altering levels of ACh," a U.S. government report issued last November concluded.

PB, or pyridostigmine bromide, was widely used to protect against nerve gas exposure.

The 450-page report, entitled "Gulf War Illness and the Health of Gulf War Veterans," points to earlier evidence that overexposure to deet may be toxic for the nervous system, but fails to recognize its potential role as a booster for the more potent chemicals to which soldiers had been exposed.

"For U.S. soldiers, the cocktail of high doses of PB and insect repellents to protect against mosquito bites may have caused symptoms, as both act on the central nervous system in the same way," said Corbel.

Fortunately, deet is "reversible," meaning its impact is short-lived. But further studies are needed to determine at what concentration it may become dangerous to people, especially small children and pregnant women, he added.

Diabetic Mich. Gulf War Veteran Rescued by Iraq War Veteran

Written by Robb Westaby, Fox 17 Web Producer

(GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Tuesday, September 1, 2009) - Iraq War veteran Jason Hilla was awarded Tuesday the first-ever Grand Rapids City Manager's Special Recognition Award for helping a Gulf War vet during a seizure.

The award was presented during the week's City Commission meeting.

It was on March 24 this year when Hilla, while doing some volunteer work at the Veterans Cemetery next to the Grand Rapids Veterans Home, noticed a man going into a diabetic seizure.

Gary Elya had forgotten to eat, but fortunately for him, Hilla's Iraq training kicked in.

"I took his jacket off, took his shirt off, took my sweatshirt and put it on top of him, reassured him that everything was going to be okay," said Hilla that day.

Tuesday was Hilla's day, as the new Grand Rapids city manager, Greg Sundstrom, inaugurated a new honor, the first Grand Rapids City Manager's Special Recognition Award.

VIDEO: The CDMRP--Improving the Quality of Life for Our Warfighters, Their Families, and Our Veterans.

Written by Anthony Hardie, 91outcomes

( KANSAS City, Mo. - Monday, August 31, 2009//91 outcomes) -- Today's opening ceremony of the Military Health Research Forum in Kansas City, Missouri included a documentary video depicting the U. S. Department of Defense Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP).

The video provides an overview of key CDMRP programs shows military leaders, researchers, and veterans, includinng "consumer reviewers" -- current and former military service members and their loved ones affected by the deployment health conditions for which CDMRP's programs are seeking cures and effective treatments to improve the affected veterans' health and lives.

The video features footage on several key CDMRP post-deployment health programs, including Gulf War Illness, brain injury, psychological health, and others.

All footage used in the video is for the sole purpose of depicting the CDMRP.

The 18-minute video is available for online viewing at: https://cdmrpcures.org/press/index.php?blogId=2&sectionId=1&postId=13

Military Health Reseach Forum Opens in Kansas City

Written by Anthony Hardie, 91outcomes

(91outcomes.blogspot.com - Kansas City, Mo. - Monday, August 31, 2009) -- Today's U.S. Department of Defense Military Health Research Forum invitation-only conference opened in Kansas City, with over 500 attendees, primarily scientists and consumer reviewers.

Hosted jointly by the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program (CDMRP) Peer Reviewed Medical, Gulf War Illness, Psychological Health, and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
research programs, the MHRF has brought together scientists, clinicians, consumer advocates, policymakers, and the military to learn about research and product development advancements supported by the host programs.

Today's opening presentation was initiated by a moment of silence -- a CDMRP tradition -- by consumer reviewere Master Sergeant Todd Nelson, an Iraq War IED survivor with visibly severe burns over 18 percent of his body, including most of his head and face. Nelson called on conference attendees to remember all the fallen, and gave a charge to the scientists to make a difference for injured combat veterans.

Also among the opening speakers were U.S. Army Major General James Gilman, M.D., commanding general of the U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command (USAMRMC) and U.S. Navy Captain E. Melissa Kaine, M.D., F.A.C.P , director of the U.S. Department of Defense's Congressionall Directed Medical Research Program.

The presentations were folllowed by a CDMRP video, with interviews and interaction action footage of CDMRP scientists, consumers, and staff.

On Tuesday, September 1, The Honorable Ellen Embrey, Acting Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs, will introduce and moderate a plenary session "The New Face of War." Her presentation will be preceded by four concurrent sessions: Complementary and Alternative Medicine; Therapeutic Applications of Virtual Reality; Defining Gulf War Illness; and, Advances in Imaging Techniques.

The "Defining Gulf War Illness" session will include a panel discussion featuring Dr. Lea Steele (Ph.D.), past Scientific Director, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Research Advisory Committee (RAC) on Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses, Dr. Robert White, current RAC scientific chair, and COL Charles Engel, U.S. Army. Gulf War Illness Research Program consumer reviewers Chris Kornven (Helenville, Wis.) and Anthony Hardie (Madison, Wis.) are also on hand during the conference, as are consumers of several of the other CDMRP programs.

On Wednesday, September 2, a group of eminent scientists and clinicians will discuss recent and remarkable advances in trauma care and rehabilitation, personalized medicine, neurology, and behavioral science during a presentation entitled, "Tomorrow's Medicine."

Also on Wendnesday, the session "Caregivers" will address issues faced by military family members and medical personnel assisting wounded warriors.

A round-table discussion of prosthetics, their current engineering, and future research directions in their developmen, entitled "Prosthetic Development," is scheduled for Thursday, September 3, during the morning concurrent sessions.

Other presentations during the four-day conference relevant to Gulf War Illness include "Assessment Tools," "Biomarkers," "Molecular Pathobiology," "Neuroprotection," "Challenges in Chronic Pain Management," "Neurogenesis and Depression," "Sleep," "Pain," and "Inflammation." Numerous other presentations relate to PTSD, TBI, and psychological health.

CDMRP's vision is to, "Find and fund the best research to eradicate diseases and support the warfighter for the benefit of the American public," while it's mission is to, "provide hope by promoting innovative research, recognizing untapped opportunities, creating partnerships, and guarding the public trust."

The following Department of Defense, Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP)—Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Gulf War Illness, Lung Cancer, Peer Reviewed
Cancer (skin cancers and genetic cancers as related to exposure during deployments), Peer Reviewed Orthopaedic, Psychological Health (to include posttraumatic stress disorder)/Traumatic

Brain Injury, and Spinal Cord Injury—are looking for military personnel and/or family caregivers to serve as consumer* reviewers of scientific proposals to help determine the research that will be funded this year.

This program was established to fund and manage research grants designed to address the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and mitigation of these conditions, diseases and/or illnesses.
Consumers participate in the scientific peer review process as representatives of those living with the condition/disease/illness that has touched their lives. They provide a broad perspective of condition-related issues important to their community. They may be survivors who have been affected by the conditions, diseases and/or illnesses or family members caring for individuals with the condition/disease/illness. Consumers who are not active duty military are nominated by their advocacy, outreach, support organization or treatment professional to participate in this important process. Consumers who are military personnel may apply directly.

If you are interested in learning more about this exciting opportunity call 301-360-2150, or e-mail Ann Dodelin at ann_dodelin@sra.com or Carolyn Branson at carolyn_branson@sra.com. You can also check the CDMRP Web site at http://cdmrp.army.mil/ for additional information.

VA Sec. Shinseki on Gulf War illness, Agent Orange: "We Will Get This Right"

Written by Anthony Hardie, 91outcomes

(91outcomes.blogspot.com - Friday, August 28, 2009) -- In a series of major policy announcements during the annual August round of veterans' service organization national conventions, newly appointed VA Secretary Eric Shinseki publicly recognized the plight of veterans afflicted by Gulf War illness and Agent Orange, and pledged that the VA under his leadership will, "get this right."

In key speeches before the Association of the United States Army (AUSA), American Veterans (AMVETS), Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), Disabled American Veterans (DAV), Blinded Veterans Association (BVA), and the American Legion (LEGION), Shinseki has repeatedly noted the serious problems affecting these veterans, decades after their military service, stating, "We must do better, and we will."

Shinseki was candid in his assessment of the challenges the new Administration faces in leading the VA, attributing problems to "someone cutting corners;" "failures in leadership, behavior and professional ethics;" and "systemic" issues.

"These issues will only be resolved when a sense of responsibility, accountability, and discipline is established throughout VA—from my office to the farthest reaches of our footprint," said Shinseki. "We are your advocates, and we have begun to retrain the workforce."

Gulf War illness issues -- which have long lingered unaddressed -- have been carefully noted by the new Administration, including through meetings with key Gulf War illness advocates and members of the White House Transition Team shortly after the election, correspondence by key veterans advocates and organizations, an ongoing series of Congressional oversight hearings into the impact of VA's previously limited scope of Gulf War illness research not focused on treatments or improving lives this summer, and a July high-level meeting between an array of top VA officials and several members of the Research Advisory Committee (RAC) on Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses.

The full relevant text from Secretary Shinseki's speech before the American Legion is as follows:

Five years from now, we intend to be the provider of choice for more of that larger population of 23.4 million Veterans—in insurance, in healthcare, in education, in home loans, in counseling, and in employment.

To achieve this kind of status with Veterans, we must make it easier for them to understand their entitlements and then make it much simpler for them to access their benefits and health care services.

Beyond the five years, we’re looking for new ways of thinking and acting. We are asking why, 40 years after Agent Orange was last used in Vietnam, this Secretary is still adjudicating claims for service-connected disabilities related to it. And why 20 years after Desert Storm, we are still debating the debilitating effects of whatever causes Gulf War illness. Left to our present processes, 20 or 40 years from now, some future secretary could be adjudicating service-connected disabilities from our ongoing conflicts. We must do better, and we will.

If you haven’t already heard, the Institute of Medicine recently released a new study on a possible link between Agent Orange and heart disease and Parkinson’s. We have this study under review now, and I assure you—we will get this right.

Any organization our size is bound to have occasional disappointments, and we have not been spared them in recent months. Many of these issues occurred in the past, but I take full responsibility for fixing them. Some of these disappointments resulted from someone cutting corners, while others were failures in leadership, behavior and professional ethics. And still others were systemic.

These issues will only be resolved when a sense of responsibility, accountability, and discipline is established throughout VA—from my office to the farthest reaches of our footprint. We are your advocates, and we have begun to retrain the workforce.

My remarks this morning comprise a seven-month progress report on the state of your Department of Veterans Affairs. I intend to do this again next year. Much more remains to be done. We need your continued support and assistance if we are to become the provider of choice.

My mission is to serve Veterans by increasing their access to our benefits and services, to provide them the highest quality of health care available, and to control costs to the best of my abilities. Doing so will make VA a model of good governance. Doing so will also keep faith with President Lincoln’s charge to care for those who have borne the battle and grant them the dignity and respect they deserve until they are laid to rest. That is my mission.

We look for your advice and support in all of these endeavors.

Change is coming...