Accession Number:

AD1043699

Title:

Novel Autoantibody Serum and Cerebrospinal Fluid Biomarkers in Veterans with Gulf War Illness

Descriptive Note:

Technical Report,30 Sep 2016,29 Sep 2017

Corporate Author:

Trustees of Boston University Boston United States

Personal Author(s):

• Sullivan, Kimberly

Report Date:

2017-10-01

Pagination or Media Count:

27.0

Abstract:

The purpose of this project is to develop objective peripheral biomarkers for Gulf War Illness GWI. We plan to determine circulating autoantibodies to ten proteins associated with the central nervous system in sera and plasma from a group of 250 Gulf War veterans with Gulf War Illness GWI and from 200 controls 100 healthy GW controls, 100 disease controls. Preliminary results using Western blot assay showed increased levels of autoantibodies in GWI cases compared to symptomatic controls in the following descending order CaMKII GFAP Tau Tubulin MAG MAP-2 MBP NFP S100B ranging from 2-8 fold higher. These results confirm the continuing presence of autoantibodies against neuronal and glial cells in these veterans and are in agreement with recent reports indicating that 25 years after the war, the health of veterans with GWI is not improving and may be getting worse. Such blood-based autoantibodies may prove useful as biomarkers of GWI, upon validation of the findings using our collective larger cohorts.

Descriptors:

• biological markers
• PERSIAN GULF SYNDROME
• veterans (military personnel)
• antibodies
• proteins
• central nervous system
• BLOOD SERUM
• BLOOD PLASMA
• chronic fatigue syndrome
• sampling
• ASSAYS

Subject Categories:

• Medicine and Medical Research
• Biochemistry

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE