Neuropsychological function in Gulf War veterans: relationships to self‐reported toxicant exposures

Abstract

Results provide evidence that there are subtle differences in CNS function among GW-deployed veterans who report chemical warfare agent exposure while in the GW theater.

Neuropsychological functioning of U.S. Gulf War veterans 10 years after the war

“…The neuropsychological test battery was based on prior GW studies (White et al, 2001 ). A similar battery, used in a study examining two cohorts of GW veterans (Fort Devens, MA and New Orleans, LA) and a Germany deployed cohort, was designed to assess abilities across general intelligence, attention/executive function, motor ability, visual-spatial processing, and verbal and visual memory.…”

“…A similar battery, used in a study examining two cohorts of GW veterans (Fort Devens, MA and New Orleans, LA) and a Germany deployed cohort, was designed to assess abilities across general intelligence, attention/executive function, motor ability, visual-spatial processing, and verbal and visual memory. The only domain without suggestion of differences between DV and NDV cohorts was visual-spatial functioning (White et al, 2001 ); therefore, it was not included in the present test battery. In addition, White et al used a measure of general intellectual abilities that did not generate group differences.…”

“…Several studies reported a negligible relationship between subjective complaints of poor cognition and objectively measured cognitive performance Lindem et al, 2003 ;Storzbach et al, 2000 ). Research suggesting that GW deployment is associated with neuropsychological defi cits must be interpreted with caution, because most studies are based exclusively on self-reports of poor cognition (Fukuda et al, 1998 ; Iowa Persian Gulf Study Group, 1997 ;Ishoy et al, 1999 ;Kang et al, 2000 ;Unwin et al, 1999 ), or are not population based Goldstein et al, 1996 ;Hom et al, 1997 ;Lindem et al, 2003 ;McDiarmid et al, 2000 ;Sillanpaa et al, 1997 ;White et al, 2001 ), or have small sample sizes Binder et al, 1999 ;Storzbach et al, 2000 ).…”

Neuropsychological Functioning in Gulf War Veterans Exposed to Pesticides and Pyridostigmine Bromide

“…Research evaluating the effects of pyridostigmine bromide (PB) exposure on neuropsychological functioning in GW veterans, found significantly lower performance on tasks assessing executive system functioning in the PB exposed GW veterans compared with controls (Sullivan et al, 2003). Pesticide exposure has been associated with mood decrements and residual effects many years after exposure in a large longitudinal cohort of GW veterans (White et al, 2001). In addition, low-level nerve agent exposure (from Khamisiyah weapons arsenal) has been associated with mood complaints and executive system decrements in GW veterans (White et al, 2001).…”

“…Pesticide exposure has been associated with mood decrements and residual effects many years after exposure in a large longitudinal cohort of GW veterans (White et al, 2001). In addition, low-level nerve agent exposure (from Khamisiyah weapons arsenal) has been associated with mood complaints and executive system decrements in GW veterans (White et al, 2001). …”