Neurobehavioral deficits in Persian Gulf veterans: evidence from a population-based study. Portland Environmental Hazards Research Center.
Reports of low-concentration nerve gas exposures during the Persian Gulf War have spurred concern about possible health consequences and refocused interest on the symptoms reported by many returning military veterans. The Portland Environmental Hazards Research Center is studying veterans from the Northwest USA who report persistent, unexplained "Persian Gulf" symptoms (cases) or who do not report those symptoms (controls). Of the first 101 veterans studied, cases differed substantially from controls on a broad range of psychological tests indicative of increased distress. A subgroup of cases was identified with objective deficits on neurobehavioral tests of memory, attention, and response speed.
Anger
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Occupational and Environmental Toxicology; Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland 97201, USA. anger@ohsu.edu
Storzbach
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Binder
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Campbell
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Rohlman
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McCauley
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Kovera
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Davis
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D000328:Adult; D002618:Chemical Warfare; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D003130:Combat Disorders / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D005739:Gas Poisoning / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D019156:Indian Ocean; D008297:Male; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D009042:Motivation; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011581:Psychological Tests; D011930:Reaction Time; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology*