Daniel Seichepine, lecturer of psychology, published an article titled "Self-Reported Traumatic Brain Injury, Health and Rate of Chronic Multisymptom Illness in Veterans From the 1990-1991 Gulf War" in the Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation.
Veterans from the 1990-1991 Gulf War (i.e. first Gulf War) have experienced a variety of long-term health problems commonly referred to as "Gulf War Illness" or Gulf War Syndrome." In the scientific literature this condition is referred to as "Chronic Multisymptom Illness." The underlying cause of this condition is unknown, with theories ranging from psychological stress to exposure to anti-nerve agents. However, our findings suggest that Chronic Multisymptom Illness may stem, in part, from brain injuries.
Traumatic brain injuries have been described as the "signature" wound from the most current war in this region and are considered a risk-factor for long-term health problems. If future studies confirm these findings, then the health of these Veterans may provide insight into the problems that recent Veterans will experience over the next twenty years.
Abstract:
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) was not considered to be common in the 1990-1991 Gulf War (GW). Therefore, the relationship between TBI and chronic health symptoms experienced by GW veterans is unknown. Health symptoms reported by veterans deployed more recently to this region (Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom) are similar to those of GW veterans and have been primarily attributed to TBI.
An abstract of the publication is available on Pubmed.com.
Contact Professor Seichepine if you are interested in a copy of the full article.
