Speaker Credentials
OMS-III
College
Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine, DO
Medical Specialty
Other
Format
Poster
Start Date
November 2024
End Date
November 2024
Track
2
Abstract
Gulf War Illness: Risk of Cognitive Decline and Dementia 1Nidhi Patel, 1Fabian Mantilla, 2Mayur S. Parmar, PhD 1Class of 2026, Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine 2Assistant Professor, Pharmacology. Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine Objective. This review highlights the current understanding of neurological dysfunction associated with Gulf War Illness (GWI), specifically focusing on cognitive impairment and dementia as key complications. Background. GWI is a chronic multi-system disorder affecting a significant portion of veterans who served in the 1990-1991 Gulf War. Methods. This review synthesizes evidence from human and preclinical primary peer-reviewed studies evaluating the cognitive impairment in GWI patients and preclinical studies elucidating the impact of similar toxic chemical agents exposed to GWVs on cognitive impairment. Result. Cognitive impairment is a common feature of GWI and is prevalent in Gulf War veterans (GWVs). According to widely used diagnostic criteria, GWI is characterized by cognitive decline. Studies have shown atrophy and functional abnormalities in the brains of individuals with GWI. Inflammation has been indicated in the cognitive decline associated with GWI. Elevated inflammatory markers are linked to reduced hippocampal volume. Disruption of gene expression that could contribute to neurodegeneration and cognitive impairment has been noted with exposure to chemicals associated with the GWI. In veterans with GWI, high levels of tau autoantibodies have been detected in the peripheral blood, potentially indicating tau abnormalities, which are strongly connected to cognitive impairment. Conclusion. Cognitive impairment is one of the defining characteristics of GWI, and it will be essential to conduct routine cognitive assessments in GWI patients and GWVs to identify this neurologic impairment early in the patient. Grants. This study did not receive funding or grants.
Included in
Gulf War Illness: Risk of Cognitive Decline and Dementia
Gulf War Illness: Risk of Cognitive Decline and Dementia 1Nidhi Patel, 1Fabian Mantilla, 2Mayur S. Parmar, PhD 1Class of 2026, Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine 2Assistant Professor, Pharmacology. Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine Objective. This review highlights the current understanding of neurological dysfunction associated with Gulf War Illness (GWI), specifically focusing on cognitive impairment and dementia as key complications. Background. GWI is a chronic multi-system disorder affecting a significant portion of veterans who served in the 1990-1991 Gulf War. Methods. This review synthesizes evidence from human and preclinical primary peer-reviewed studies evaluating the cognitive impairment in GWI patients and preclinical studies elucidating the impact of similar toxic chemical agents exposed to GWVs on cognitive impairment. Result. Cognitive impairment is a common feature of GWI and is prevalent in Gulf War veterans (GWVs). According to widely used diagnostic criteria, GWI is characterized by cognitive decline. Studies have shown atrophy and functional abnormalities in the brains of individuals with GWI. Inflammation has been indicated in the cognitive decline associated with GWI. Elevated inflammatory markers are linked to reduced hippocampal volume. Disruption of gene expression that could contribute to neurodegeneration and cognitive impairment has been noted with exposure to chemicals associated with the GWI. In veterans with GWI, high levels of tau autoantibodies have been detected in the peripheral blood, potentially indicating tau abnormalities, which are strongly connected to cognitive impairment. Conclusion. Cognitive impairment is one of the defining characteristics of GWI, and it will be essential to conduct routine cognitive assessments in GWI patients and GWVs to identify this neurologic impairment early in the patient. Grants. This study did not receive funding or grants.