Overview
A November 2025 study published in Scientific Reports by UT Southwestern Medical Center scientists confirms that dysfunctional mitochondria — cellular organelles serving as power generators — cause the symptoms of Gulf War illness (GWI) among tens of thousands of veterans.
Study Leadership:
- Dr. Robert Haley, M.D., Professor of Internal Medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases and Geographic Medicine and Peter O'Donnell Jr. School of Public Health at UT Southwestern; holds the U.S. Armed Forces Veterans Distinguished Chair for Medical Research, Honoring Robert Haley, M.D., and America's Gulf War Veterans
- Dr. Sergey Cheshkov, Ph.D., former Assistant Professor of Radiology at UT Southwestern, now Research Scientist/Physicist in the Sammons BrainHealth Imaging Center at The University of Texas at Dallas
- Dr. Richard W. Briggs, Ph.D., retired Professor of Radiology at UT Southwestern
Key Findings
The study used advanced magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) to measure the N-acetylaspartate (NAA)/total creatine (tCr) ratio in 39 Persian Gulf War veterans with GWI and 16 without. The lower NAA/tCr ratio observed in affected veterans is due to increased tCr, not decreased NAA.
This finding distinguishes the mechanism from earlier research: previous MRS technology could not differentiate between relatively lower NAA (suggesting nerve damage) or higher tCr (suggesting mitochondrial dysfunction). The increased tCr indicates a process stemming from mitochondrial dysfunction rather than neuronal damage.
Clinical Implications
Because mitochondrial dysfunction in the brain causes chronic neuroinflammation, this finding explains nearly all documented GWI symptoms:
- Fatigue
- Pain
- Memory/concentration problems
- Balance disturbances
- Exercise intolerance
- Diarrhea
- Skin rashes
- Depression
Dr. Haley notes: "Our research shows that these veterans don't have damaged neurons, which would be incurable, but an energy imbalance, which suggests that their disabling symptoms might respond to novel treatments."
Research Context
Between 1990 and 1991, approximately 700,000 U.S. troops deployed to the Persian Gulf; more than 25% returned with chronic symptoms now known as GWI. A wealth of evidence has tied this condition to low-level exposure to sarin gas — a neurotoxic agent released when soldiers bombed Iraqi chemical weapons factories.
For over three decades, Dr. Haley and colleagues have investigated the mechanism using MRS technology. This study represents a breakthrough after 30+ years of research.
Ongoing Research
Dr. Haley and colleagues are currently studying how low-level sarin gas exposure causes mitochondrial dysfunction. This research may lead to treatments that calm chronic neuroinflammation, bringing relief to affected veterans.
Funding Sources
- IDIQ contract VA549-P-0027 (Dallas Veterans Affairs Medical Center)
- U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command (DAMD17-01-1-0741)
- Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs, Gulf War Illness Research Program (W81XWH-16-1-0740)
- North and Central Texas Clinical and Translational Science Initiative (UL1RR024982)