Editor's Note: The article is reporting on a treatment study by Dr. Beatrice Golomb of the University of California-San Diego that was funded by the Gulf War Illness Research Program (GWIRP) within the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program (CDMRP) administered by the U.S. Department of Defense Health Programs under Congressional direction.
The CoQ10 utilized in the study is pharmaceutical grade, and not the variety sold at Walmart, Costco, etc. The ubiquinone version of CoQ10 was used in the study.
Saturday, April 30, 2016
Tuesday, April 26, 2016
Monday, April 25, 2016
VA Hosting Gulf War Veteran Roundtable, Researchers, Town Hall Meeting this Week
Wednesday, April 20, 2016
US MEDICINE: Advocates Describe Difficulties in Getting Gulf War Illness Diagnosis
SOURCE: U.S. Medicine, April 2016, written by Sandra Basu
http://www.usmedicine.com/agencies/department-of-veterans-affairs/advocates-describe-difficulties-in-getting-gulf-war-illness-diagnosis/
ARCHIVED ARTICLE:
http://www.usmedicine.com/agencies/department-of-veterans-affairs/advocates-describe-difficulties-in-getting-gulf-war-illness-diagnosis/
ARCHIVED ARTICLE:
Advocates Describe Difficulties in Getting Gulf War Illness Diagnosis
Legislators Agree That Research on Causes Needs to Continue
By Sandra Basu
WASHINGTON — Veterans are experiencing a high number of denials of Gulf War Illness-related claims at least partly because the condition “presents itself in a way that is not conducive to the traditional VA disability claims process,” an advocacy group told lawmakers last month.
“Gulf War Illness is an inherently difficult condition to diagnose and treat,” said Aleks Morosky, legislative service deputy director for the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States (VFW). “This is because it presents itself as a host of possible symptoms common to many veterans, rather than a single condition that is clearly identifiable and unmistakable.”
Monday, April 18, 2016
FIBROMYALGIA NEWS TODAY: Pain Sensitivity in Mice with Fibromyalgia Reduced with Natural Compounds
Editor's Note: Fibromyalgia is a presumptive condition for VA claims purposes for Gulf War veterans. The medical and pathophysiological relationships between fibromyalgia and the chronic widespread pain common in many Gulf War Illness patients remains unclear.
Sunday, April 17, 2016
Friday, April 15, 2016
New England/Mass. Gulf War Veterans Needed for Gulf War Illness Study
The following multi-site study is funded by the Gulf War Illness Research Program (GWIRP), within the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program (CDMRP) administered by the U.S. Department of Defense Health Programs under Congressional direction.
Other sites recruiting include Miami, Florida and Houston, Texas. More information about the Gulf War Illness Consortium (GWIC) is available from the GWIC website.
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Other sites recruiting include Miami, Florida and Houston, Texas. More information about the Gulf War Illness Consortium (GWIC) is available from the GWIC website.
-91outcomes
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Thursday, April 14, 2016
VA to Host Town Hall Meeting, Accept Written Comments on IOM Gulf War Recommendations
(91outcomes.com) - The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will host a public town hall meeting and accept written comments regarding the most recent report of the Institute of Medicine (IOM), National Academy of Sciences related to Gulf War veterans.
The report, released on February 11, 2016, identified Gulf War illness as the signature adverse health outcome of the 1991 Gulf War. However, it also included a number of recommendations that have led to publicized controversy and Congressional scrutiny, including recommending the end to several broad areas of Gulf War research.
The VA's public notice is below with details about the town hall session and instructions on how to participate by teleconference and submit written comments for the record.
The meeting will immediately follow the second day's sessions of the April 28-29, 2016 meetings of the Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses (RAC).
The full report is available for free download (PDF) at: http://www.nap.edu/catalog/21840/gulf-war-and-health-volume-10-update-of-health-effects
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[NOTE: emphasis, bolding, and colored fonts added]
There is an array of news articles and 91outcomes posts about the IOM report, including video footage and written testimony from a February 23, 2016 Congressional hearing, which included the IOM report as part of its critical focus:
MILITARY.COM: New Report Calls for Halt to Research on Gulf War Health Effects
BRADENTON HERALD: New study on Gulf War illness assailed by veterans advocates
FOX NEWS: Vets fight new report that calls for halt to research on 'Gulf War Illness'
IOM Gulf War Report "Turns Science On Its Head," Researchers Say
Video and Printed Testimony - 25th Anniversary Gulf War Health Congressional Hearing
Persian Gulf War: An Assessment of Health Outcomes on the 25th Anniversary
BUSPH NEWS: Researcher Urges Congress: Don’t Give Up on Gulf War Vets
Some Key Quotes from IOM's "Gulf War and Health, Volume 10"
MILITARY TIMES: Panel to VA: Stop studying causes of Gulf War illnesses, focus on treatment
MILITARY TIMES: Persian Gulf veterans still fighting for proper health care 25 years after war
IOM: New report finds illness continues to be major effect linked to Gulf War military service
BUSPH: Professor Argues Gulf War Vets Are Counting on Researchers
ALS Link to Veterans of Persian Gulf War Suggested Again in US Government Report
MILITARY TIMES: Panel to VA: Stop studying causes of Gulf War illnesses
IOM: New report finds illness continues to be major effect linked to Gulf War military service
Public Session Tomorrow: IOM Gulf War and Health Rewrite Committee
Letter to IOM from former RAC Chair and Members
The report, released on February 11, 2016, identified Gulf War illness as the signature adverse health outcome of the 1991 Gulf War. However, it also included a number of recommendations that have led to publicized controversy and Congressional scrutiny, including recommending the end to several broad areas of Gulf War research.
The VA's public notice is below with details about the town hall session and instructions on how to participate by teleconference and submit written comments for the record.
The meeting will immediately follow the second day's sessions of the April 28-29, 2016 meetings of the Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses (RAC).
The full report is available for free download (PDF) at: http://www.nap.edu/catalog/21840/gulf-war-and-health-volume-10-update-of-health-effects
***
[NOTE: emphasis, bolding, and colored fonts added]
PUBLIC NOTICE
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
ACTION: Notice of opportunity to provide oral comments at a town-hall style session, and the opportunity to provide written comments.
SUMMARY: The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announces the opportunity for comment on recent recommendations made to VA by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) in its report “Gulf War and Health, Volume 10: Update of Health Effects of Serving in the Gulf War, 2016” (http://nationalacademies.org/hmd/reports/2016/gulf-war-and-healthvolume-10.aspx ).
All comments are welcome, but VA specifically seeks those that address the recommendations made on pages 8-11 and pages 264-272 of the IOM report. The listening session will be open to the public, and for interested parties who cannot attend in person, there is a toll-free telephone number (800) 767-1750; access code 56978#.
Participants who wish to speak during the town-hall session should register by sending an email to victor.kalasinsky@va.gov by April 27, 2016.
Written comments must be received by June 1, 2016. Each speaker will have 5 minutes to speak. It is recommended that the speaker not read written comments, but rather highlight critical points in the written material that should be submitted.
DATE: Friday, April 29, 2016, 1:30–4:00 p.m. Eastern Time
LOCATION: The meeting will be held at the Capital Hilton Hotel, 1001 16th Street, NW, Washington, DC, in the Pan American Room.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Victor Kalasinsky, Ph.D., Telephone: (202) 443–5600, victor.kalasinsky@va.gov.
****
There is an array of news articles and 91outcomes posts about the IOM report, including video footage and written testimony from a February 23, 2016 Congressional hearing, which included the IOM report as part of its critical focus:
MILITARY.COM: New Report Calls for Halt to Research on Gulf War Health Effects
BRADENTON HERALD: New study on Gulf War illness assailed by veterans advocates
FOX NEWS: Vets fight new report that calls for halt to research on 'Gulf War Illness'
IOM Gulf War Report "Turns Science On Its Head," Researchers Say
Video and Printed Testimony - 25th Anniversary Gulf War Health Congressional Hearing
Persian Gulf War: An Assessment of Health Outcomes on the 25th Anniversary
BUSPH NEWS: Researcher Urges Congress: Don’t Give Up on Gulf War Vets
Some Key Quotes from IOM's "Gulf War and Health, Volume 10"
MILITARY TIMES: Panel to VA: Stop studying causes of Gulf War illnesses, focus on treatment
MILITARY TIMES: Persian Gulf veterans still fighting for proper health care 25 years after war
IOM: New report finds illness continues to be major effect linked to Gulf War military service
BUSPH: Professor Argues Gulf War Vets Are Counting on Researchers
ALS Link to Veterans of Persian Gulf War Suggested Again in US Government Report
MILITARY TIMES: Panel to VA: Stop studying causes of Gulf War illnesses
IOM: New report finds illness continues to be major effect linked to Gulf War military service
Public Session Tomorrow: IOM Gulf War and Health Rewrite Committee
Letter to IOM from former RAC Chair and Members
ONLINE Gulf War Illness "Treatments Tried" Study - Now Recruiting Gulf War Illness Volunteers
The following study, by Dr. Beatrice Golomb of the University of California-San Diego, is funded by the Gulf War Illness Research Program (GWIRP), within the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program (CDMRP) administered by the U.S. Department of Defense Health Programs under Congressional direction.
-91outcomes
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-91outcomes
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Bronx VA Treatment Study Seeking Gulf War Illness Volunteers
The following study, led by Dr. Julia Golier of the James J. Peters VA Medical Center in the Bronx, New York City, is funded by the Gulf War Illness Research Program (GWIRP), within the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program (CDMRP) administered by the U.S. Department of Defense Health Programs under Congressional direction.
-91outcomes
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Tuesday, April 12, 2016
Effectiveness of Individualized Acupuncture in Gulf War Illness Treatment
This Gulf War Illness pain treatment study of acupuncture, by Dr. Lisa Conboy of the New England School of Acupuncture, was funded by the Gulf War Illness Research Program (GWIRP), within the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program (CDMRP) administered by the U.S. Department of Defense Health Programs under Congressional direction.
-A.H.
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The Effectiveness of Individualized Acupuncture Protocols in the Treatment of Gulf War Illness: A Pragmatic Randomized Clinical Trial
Read the open-access, full-text article here:
http://dx.plos.org/10.1371/
Abstract:
Gulf War Illness is a Complex Medical Illness characterized by multiple symptoms, including fatigue, sleep and mood disturbances, cognitive dysfunction, and musculoskeletal pain affecting veterans of the first Gulf War. No standard of care treatment exists.
This pragmatic Randomized Clinical Trial tested the effects of individualized acupuncture treatments offered in extant acupuncture practices in the community; practitioners had at least 5 years of experience plus additional training provided by the study. Veterans with diagnosed symptoms of Gulf War Illness were randomized to either six months of biweekly acupuncture treatments (group 1, n = 52) or 2 months of waitlist followed by weekly acupuncture treatments (group 2, n = 52). Measurements were taken at baseline, 2, 4 and 6 months. The primary outcome is the SF-36 physical component scale score (SF-36P) and the secondary outcome is the McGill Pain scale.
Of the 104 subjects who underwent randomization, 85 completed the protocol (82%). A clinically and statistically significant average improvement of 9.4 points (p = 0.03) in the SF-36P was observed for group 1 at month 6 compared to group 2, adjusting for baseline pain. The secondary outcome of McGill pain index produced similar results; at 6 months, group 1 was estimated to experience a reduction of approximately 3.6 points (p = 0.04) compared to group 2.
Individualized acupuncture treatment of sufficient dose appears to offer significant relief of physical disability and pain for veterans with Gulf War Illness. This work was supported by the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs through the Gulf War Illness Research Program under Award No. W81XWH-09-2-0064. Opinions, interpretations, conclusions and recommendations are those of the author and are not necessarily endorsed by the Department of Defense.
ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01305811
Monday, April 11, 2016
BOSTON UNIVERSITY: BU/VA Thank Veterans during Gulf War 25th Anniversary
SOURCE: Boston University School of Medicine, April 9, 2016,
http://www.bumc.bu.edu/busm/center-for-military-and-post-deployment-health-2/buva-thank-veterans-on-anniversary-of-gulf-war/
**Presentations from the event are here: http://www.91outcomes.com/2016/04/presentations-from-boston-gulf-war-25th.html **
ARCHIVED ARTICLE:
Gulf War Anniversary Event
April 9, 2016
VA Boston Healthcare Jamaica Plain campus
VA Boston Healthcare Jamaica Plain campus
Boston University joined with the VA Boston Healthcare System to host a thank you event for Veterans on the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Gulf War. The event highlighted a quarter century of research conducted at BU and the VA related to Gulf War Illness and also included summaries of ongoing and upcoming studies.
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| Approximately 100 Gulf War Veterans attended the event. |
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| Pictured from left to right are event organizers Barbara Niles PhD, DeAnna Mori PhD, Maxine Krengel PhD, and Carole Palumbo, PhD. Additional organizers include Roberta White PhD, Terrence Keane PhD, Kim Sullivan PhD, and Tom Allen. |
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| BU Gulf War Illness Consortium Research Lead Kim Sullivan, PhD is joined by Research Professor of Neurology Margaret Naeser, PhD and Director for Veterans for Common Sense Mr. Anthony Hardie |
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| The Color Guard of the US Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine presented the Colors. |
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| Each Gulf War Veteran in attendance received a hand-made thank you note from a Girl Scout. |
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The event was organized to thank GW Veterans on the 25th anniversary of the War. |
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| Dr. Terence Keane, Assistant Dean for Research at BUSM, gave the welcoming remarks. |
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| Each attendee received a commemorative Gulf War coin. |
BU/VA Thank Veterans on Anniversary of Gulf War
On April 6, 1991, Iraq accepted the provisions of United National Security Council Resolution 687, thus ending the Gulf War. On April 9, 2016, Boston University joined with the VA Boston Healthcare System to host an event to thank those who served.
Dr. Terence Keane, Associate Chief of Staff, Research and Development at the VA Boston Healthcare System and Assistant Dean for Research at BU School of Medicine, gave the opening remarks. “We take this opportunity, on the 25th anniversary of the Gulf War, to offer you our sincere thanks,” Keane told the approximately 100 Gulf War Veterans in attendance.
Dr. Anna Hohler, Director for the Center for Military and Post Deployment Health at BU, thanked the Veterans for their continued service. “Not only did you serve in the Gulf, but you have continued to serve through your participation in research studies that will ultimately improve the health of your fellow soldiers and of the population in general,” Hohler said.
The Color Guard of the US Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine presented the Colors while The Newtones of Newton South High School sang the National Anthem.
Dr. Roberta White, Chair of the Department of Environmental Health at the BU School of Public Health, gave an overview of research conducted over the past quarter century. White, who told the Veterans of her personal connection having lost her own father to a war-related illness, has been involved in extensive research that has led to acceptance of Gulf War Illness (GWI) as a physical illness. White presented a summary of studies that have identified chemical exposures associated with GWI and neuroimaging evidence of structural brain damage associated with GWI.
Veterans also heard from several BU and VA researchers who continue to conduct ground-breaking studies related to Gulf War Illness. Drs. Barbara Niles, Margaret Naeser, Kimberly Sullivan, Rosemary Toomey, Maxine Krengel, Neil Kowall (represented by Ms. Tarnjit "Tannu" Singh) and Scott Kinlay presented information on current studies aimed at increasing our understanding of and improving treatment for GWI.
Mr. Anthony Hardie, a Veteran advocate and Director of Veterans for Common Sense, urged audience members to take part in ongoing research at BU and the VA. “These studies are only as good as our participation,” Mr. Hardie told his fellow Gulf War Veterans.
In addition to providing important information on Gulf War Illness and services available to Veterans, the event provided a forum for Veterans to talk with one another about their shared experiences. Most important, the gathering gave researchers and clinicians an opportunity to say thank you to the men and women who have served and continue to give through their study participation.
FEDERAL REGISTER NOTICE: Commission on Care Meeting, Written Statements
Federal Register Notice
Commission on Care Meeting Notice
A Notice by the Veterans Affairs Department on 04/07/2016ACTION
Notice Of Meeting.
In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, 5 U.S.C., App. 2, the Commission on Care gives notice that it will meet on Monday, April 18, 2016, and Tuesday, April 19, 2016, at the J.W. Marriott, Jr. ASAE Conference Center, 1575 I St. NW., Washington, DC 20005. The meeting will convene at 8:30 a.m. and end by 6:00 p.m. (EDT) on Monday, April 18, 2016. The meeting will convene at 8:30 a.m. and end by 4:00 p.m. (EDT) on Tuesday, April 19, 2016. The meetings are open to the public.
The purpose of the Commission, as described in section 202 of the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014, is to examine the access of veterans to health care from the Department of Veterans Affairs and strategically examine how best to organize the Veterans Health Administration, locate health care resources, and deliver health care to veterans during the next 20 years.
Time will be allocated at this meeting for receiving oral statements from the public on Tuesday, April 19th from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (EDT). Statements will be limited to five minutes and, due to time constraints, no more than ten individuals will be permitted to speak. Those interested in making oral statements, must register their intent to do so and provide written copies of their proposed statements to the Designated Federal Officer (DFO) no later than 5:00 p.m. (EDT). on Wednesday, April 15, 2016. Speaking slots will be confirmed on a first come, first serve basis.
The public may also submit written statements at any time for the Commission's review to
Any members of the public wishing to attend the meeting may register their intentions by emailing the DFO, John Goodrich, at john.goodrich@va.gov. Remote attendees joining by telephone must email Mr. Goodrich by 12:00 p.m. (EDT) on Friday, April 15, 2016, to request dial-in information.
Date: April 1, 2016.
John Goodrich,
Designated Federal Officer, Commission on Care.
[FR Doc. 2016-07919 Filed 4-6-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8320-01-P
PPT -- "Services and Benefits for Gulf War Veterans" - Anthony Hardie
PowerPoint presentation, "Services and Benefits for Gulf War Veterans," by Anthony Hardie, Gulf War veteran and Director, Veterans for Common Sense, at the VA Boston Healthcare System- and Boston University-sponsored Gulf War 25th Anniversary event, April 9, 2016, Boston, Mass.
PPT -- "Gulf War Veterans’ Illnesses Biorepository Brain Bank" - Tarnjit Singh
PowerPoint presentation, "Gulf War Veterans’ Illnesses Biorepository Brain Bank," by Tarnjit (Tannu) Singh, M.A., VA Boston Healthcare System, at the VA Boston Healthcare System- and Boston University-sponsored Gulf War 25th Anniversary event, April 9, 2016, Boston, Mass.
PPT -- "Boston Gulf War Illness Consortium" by Dr. Kimberly Sullivan
PowerPoint presentation, "Boston Gulf War Illness Consortium," by Dr. Kimberly Sullivan, Boston University School of Public Health and Principal Investigator, Boston Gulf War Illness Consortium (GWIC), at the VA Boston Healthcare System- and Boston University-sponsored Gulf War 25th Anniversary event, April 9, 2016, Boston, Mass.
PPT -- "D-Cycloserine: A Novel Treatment for Gulf War Illness" - Dr. Rosemary Toomey
PowerPoint presentation, "D-Cycloserine: A Novel Treatment for Gulf War Illness," by Dr. Rosemary Toomey, Boston University, at the VA Boston Healthcare System- and Boston University-sponsored Gulf War 25th Anniversary event, April 9, 2016, Boston, Mass.
PPT-"Vascular and Skeletal Muscle Function in Gulf War Veterans Illness Study" - Dr. Scott Kinlay
PowerPoint presentation, "Vascular and Skeletal Muscle Function in Gulf War Veterans Illness Study," by Dr. Scott Kinlay, MBBS, PhD, VA Boston Healthcare System, at the VA Boston Healthcare System- and Boston University-sponsored Gulf War 25th Anniversary event, April 9, 2016, Boston, Mass.
PPT- "Complementary and Integrative Approaches to Post-Deployment Distress" - Dr. Barbara Niles
PowerPoint presentation, "Complementary and Integrative Approaches to Post-Deployment Distress," by Dr. Barbara Niles and Dr. DeAnna L. Mori, VA Boston Healthcare System/Boston University School of Medicine, at the VA Boston Healthcare System- and Boston University-sponsored Gulf War 25th Anniversary event, April 9, 2016, Boston, Mass.
Saturday, April 9, 2016
Presentations from the Boston Gulf War 25th Anniversary Event
Nearly a hundred Gulf War veteran attendees, and loved ones, healthcare providers, a myriad of Gulf War Illness researchers, VA and state veterans agency officials, veterans service officers, and even a local mayor filled the event to capacity.
Included were presentations by the Boston VA Healthcare System, Gulf War illness researchers, the Massachusetts Department of Veterans Affairs, and Veterans for Common Sense, and a deeply engaged town hall meeting on Gulf War veterans' issues.
The presentations from the event are posted below.
Special thanks to event organizers and hosts Dr. Carole Palumbo, Tom Allen, Dr. Roberta White, and Dr. Terry Keane, and to the many, many speakers, information and outreach providers, VA staff, and most of all the many Gulf War veterans who were willing and able to participate for the full Saturday event.
-A.H., 91outcomes
***
PowerPoint presentations from the event:
- "Services and Benefits for Gulf War Veterans," by Mr. Anthony Hardie, Gulf War veteran and Director, Veterans for Common Sense
- "Vascular and Skeletal Muscle Function in Gulf War Veterans Illness Study," by Dr. Scott Kinlay, MBBS, PhD, VA Boston Healthcare System
- "Complementary and Integrative Approaches to Post-Deployment Distress," by Dr. Barbara Niles and Dr. DeAnna L. Mori, VA Boston Healthcare System/Boston University School of Medicine.
- "Gulf War Veterans’ Illnesses Biorepository Brain Bank," by Tarnjit "Tannu" Singh, M.A.
- "Boston Gulf War Illness Consortium," by Dr. Kimberly Sullivan, Boston University School of Public Health and Principal Investigator, Boston Gulf War Illness Consortium (GWIC)
- "D-Cycloserine: A Novel Treatment for Gulf War Illness," by Dr. Rosemary Toomey, Boston University'
