MRI Studies Find Gulf War Veterans Suffer Abnormal Brain Blood Flow

Research conducted at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center is showing new discoveries about the effects of abnormal blood flow in the brains of Gulf War veterans.

The mysterious set of multi-system symptoms experienced by many Gulf War veterans has come to be known as "Gulf War Syndrome". Doctors have struggled to categorize the various types of illnesses associated with service in the Gulf War and provide a clear idea of how the conditions attribute to veteran disability.

New MRI procedures have allowed researchers to track the progression and effects of abnormal blood flow in the brains of several veterans who fought in the Gulf War.

A Gulf War veteran could have many disabilities ranging from neuropathy to mental illness from: 

• exposure to neurotoxic chemicals;
• contact with nerve agents; and
• unforeseen exposure to other hazardous substances and conditions.  

Since many of the symptoms collected under Gulf War Syndrome are neurological or cognitive, it was long suspected that damage to the brain was a part of the problem. The discovery of a commonality among veterans in the occurrence of abnormal brain blood flow is giving doctors another clue into what Gulf War Syndrome does, and may lead to potential new treatments.

You Have the Power to Help a Disabled American Veteran!

Our veterans deserve the utmost care and respect in exchange for their sacrifice and service to our country, yet many suffer with disabling medical conditions and illness and struggle to make ends meet after life in the service. At Care for Disabled Veterans our goal is to assist qualified veterans in obtaining the medical evidence they need to seek their rightful benefits for combat-related disabilities.