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Neuropsychological characteristics of Gulf War illness: A meta-analysis

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  • Patricia A Janulewicz
  • Maxine H Krengel
  • Alexis Maule
  • Roberta F White
  • Joanna Cirillo
  • Emily Sisson
  • Timothy Heeren
  • Kimberly Sullivan

Abstract

Objective: Gulf War illness (GWI) is a disorder related to military service in the 1991 GW. Prominent symptoms include fatigue, pain and cognitive problems. These symptoms were reported by GW Veterans (GWV) immediately after the war and were eventually incorporated into case definitions of GWI. Neuropsychological function in GW veterans has been studied both among deployed GWV and in GWV diagnosed with GWI. Results have been inconsistent between and across GW populations. The purpose of the present investigation was to better characterize neuropsychological function in this veteran population. Methods: Meta-analysis techniques were applied to published studies on neuropsychological performance in GWV to identify domains of dysfunction in deployed vs. non-deployed GW-era veterans and symptomatic vs. non-symptomatic GWVs. Results: Significantly decreased performance was found in three functional domains: attention and executive function, visuospatial skills and learning/memory. Conclusions: These findings document the cognitive decrements associated with GW service, validate current GWI case definitions using cognitive criteria, and identify test measures for use in GWI research assessing GWI treatment trial efficacy.

Suggested Citation

  • Patricia A Janulewicz & Maxine H Krengel & Alexis Maule & Roberta F White & Joanna Cirillo & Emily Sisson & Timothy Heeren & Kimberly Sullivan, 2017. "Neuropsychological characteristics of Gulf War illness: A meta-analysis," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 12(5), pages 1-19, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0177121
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0177121
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    Cited by:

    1. Robert D. Daniels & Sean A. P. Clouston & Charles B. Hall & Kristi R. Anderson & David A. Bennett & Evelyn J. Bromet & Geoffrey M. Calvert & Tania Carreón & Steven T. DeKosky & Erica D. Diminich & Cal, 2021. "A Workshop on Cognitive Aging and Impairment in the 9/11-Exposed Population," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(2), pages 1-24, January.
    2. Linda L. Chao, 2020. "The Prevalence of Mild Cognitive Impairment in a Convenience Sample of 202 Gulf War Veterans," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(19), pages 1-20, September.
    3. Drew A. Helmer & William W. Van Doren & David R. Litke & Chin-Lin Tseng & Lap Ho & Omowunmi Osinubi & Giulio Maria Pasinetti, 2020. "Safety, Tolerability and Efficacy of Dietary Supplementation with Concord Grape Juice in Gulf War Veterans with Gulf War Illness: A Phase I/IIA, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(10), pages 1-12, May.

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