Is NCT05375812 recruiting in Bethesda, MD?

Yes, NCT05375812 is currently recruiting participants at its Bethesda, MD location. This gulf war illness clinical trial is actively enrolling qualified participants.

How do I join the gulf war illness clinical trial in Bethesda?

To join this clinical trial in Bethesda, complete the eligibility form on this page. A study coordinator will contact you to discuss next steps and determine if you qualify.

Is participation in this Bethesda clinical trial free?

Yes, all study-related care is provided at no cost to qualified participants. Many studies also offer compensation for time and travel expenses.

Gulf War Illness Clinical Trial in Bethesda, MD

About This Gulf War Illness Study in Bethesda

Background: Gulf War illness (GWI) affects up to 210,000 U.S. veterans who served in the Middle East during the Gulf War in 1990-1991. Symptoms include fatigue, muscle and joint pain, forgetfulness, headaches, rashes, and sleep disturbances. Routine exams cannot determine the cause of GWI. Researchers need more information to understand this disease. Objective: This natural history study will look for differences in Gulf War veterans who experienced GWI and those who did not. Eligibility: Gulf War veterans with GWI. Healthy Gulf War veterans who do not have GWI are also needed. Design: Participants will stay in the NIH Clinical Center as an inpatient for 2 weeks. They will undergo many tests. Blood will be drawn many times throughout the study. Participants will also give urine, saliva, and stool samples. Scans to measure the brain, leg muscles, bone density and body mass will be done. They will have an exercise stress test and muscle strength tests. They will have a sleep study. They will have tests to look at how well the brain, heart and lungs are working. Participants will sleep in a specialized room that measures the amount of oxygen they use and the carbon dioxide they produce on four consecutive nights. A sample of fluid will be collected from inside the spine. Participants will take many surveys. Some will ask about their activities. Some will be about emotional and mental health. Some will be about thinking, memory, and behavior. Optional tests include other imaging scans and testing the autonomic nervous system. Samples of skin and muscle may be taken. After discharge, participants will wear activity monitors for 14 days. They will keep a diary of their symptoms, including fatigue, pain, and sleep, while wearing the monitors.

Sponsor: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)

Who Can Participate

Inclusion Criteria

Ability to provide informed consent

Stated willingness to comply with all study procedures and availability for the duration of the study

Age 48-70 at time of enrollment into VA IN-DEPTH Study

Veterans who were deployed to Gulf Region ODS/S between August 1990 - June 1991.

Self-reported completion of at least the seventh grade of school.

Fluency in speaking, reading, and understanding English.

Underwent screening as part of the VA IN-DEPTH study and were unanimously determined to be eligible by the IN-DEPTH Adjudication Committee.

Agree not to smoke in the 4 hours prior to CPET procedure

Exclusion Criteria

Current or past psychotic disorder including depression with psychosis, bipolar disorder with psychotic symptoms and schizophrenia

Current DSM-5-defined major depression disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, panic disorder, or obsessive-compulsive disorder unless managed for more than six months with a stable treatment regimen

Current or past substance use disorder within last five years as diagnosed on the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5 (SCID-5). Prior or prescription marijuana use within the past five years will not be an exclusion.

Current suicidal ideation

History of head injury leading to moderate or severe traumatic brain injury, as detailed by loss of consciousness for greater than 30 minutes, a Glasgow Coma Score of 12 or less at the time of injury, post-traumatic amnesia greater than one day, or brain-scan changes related to a head injury. Persons having a history of mild TBI (mTBI) will not be excluded.

Women who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or are within one-year post-partum.

Current or previous malignancy. A history of malignancy that has fully resolved with surgical resection only (e.g. no chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or immunotherapy) will be allowed.

Current systemic immunologic disorders (e.g. Type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis). Local immunological disorder (e.g. atopic dermatitis, stable autoimmune thyroid disease) and allergic disorders will be allowed.

Current or previous long-term immune suppressive therapy. Systemic steroid use, even short-term, must not have been used within the month prior to enrollment

Any medical condition that would make the study procedures risky for the participant (e.g. congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, severe osteoarthritis, exercise-induced angina and poorly controlled asthma).

Active participation in a clinical protocol (e.g. anti-inflammatory drug intervention study) which includes an intervention that may affect the results of the current study.

Inability to perform the bicycling exercise task. (e.g. coronary artery disease, not having a lower limb, disabling stroke)

Not willing to allow for research data and samples to be shared broadly with other researchers.

Symptom severity that makes it impossible for the volunteer to travel to NIH for extended inpatient evaluation

Use of medications with a high-risk for withdrawal-related complications (i.e. long-acting opiates or benzodiazepines). Additional Exclusion criteria for participants undergoing TMS: \- Pacemaker, implanted pump, stimulator, cochlear implant or metal objects inside the eye or skull. Participants with unconfirmed metal may have further evaluation to rule out metal in the eye or skull. Participants without metal after evaluation may proceed to TMS. \- A personal history of seizure disorder Additional Exclusion criteria for participants undergoing MRI: \- Metal in the body which would make having an MRI scan unsafe, such as pacemakers, stimulators, pumps, aneurysm clips, metallic prostheses, artificial heart valves, cochlear implants or shrapnel fragments, or having a history of being a welder or metal worker, since small metal fragments may be in the eye. Participants with unconfirmed metal may have further evaluation to rule out metal in the eye or skull. Participants without metal after evaluation may proceed to MRI.

Substantial claustrophobia

Inability to lie on back for up to 2 hours Additional Exclusion criteria for Healthy Veteran Controls: \- Meets modified Kansas criteria for GWI.

Not sure if you qualify? Submit your interest and a study coordinator will help determine your eligibility.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q:Is this study available in Bethesda?

Yes, this clinical trial (NCT05375812) has an active research site in Bethesda, MD that is currently enrolling participants.

Q:Is it safe to participate?

Clinical trials follow strict safety guidelines and ethical standards. This study has been reviewed and approved, and participants are closely monitored by medical professionals. You can withdraw at any time.

Q:Will I be compensated?

Many clinical trials offer compensation for your time and travel expenses. Specific compensation details will be discussed during the screening process. All study-related medical care is provided at no cost.

Q:Can I leave the trial if I change my mind?

Absolutely. Participation is completely voluntary. You have the right to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without penalty.

Still have questions? Our study coordinators are here to help.

Gulf War Illness Treatment Options in Bethesda, MD

If you're searching for gulf war illness treatment options in Bethesda, MD, this clinical trial (NCT05375812) may be an excellent opportunity. Clinical trials provide access to cutting-edge treatments that aren't yet available to the general public, often at no cost to participants.

Our Bethesda research site is actively enrolling participants for this clinical trial. You'll receive care from experienced gulf war illness specialists who are at the forefront of medical research. All study-related care, including examinations, treatments, and monitoring, is provided at no cost to qualified participants.

Looking for more options? Browse all gulf war illness clinical trials near you to find additional studies recruiting in your area.

Gulf War Illness Clinical Trial in Bethesda, MD

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