New study finds Alzheimer’s disease gene linked to Gulf War Illness
Nearly 300,000 Gulf War Veterans are currently diagnosed with Gulf War Illness (GWI). During the conflict, Gulf War Veterans were exposed to a combination of chemicals including pesticides, oil-well fires, and prophylaxis treatments like Pyridostigmine Bromide (PB). Veterans with this condition exhibit a variety of health problems, including memory loss.
APOE4 genetic variant is high in veterans with GWI
Researchers at the Roskamp Institute in Sarasota, Fl. found that, in a group of Gulf War Veterans, those with the APOE4 genetic variant were more likely to have received a diagnosis of GWI than those without this genetic factor. The general population with the same genetic factor may be at a higher risk for experiencing the effects of environmental toxins (such as smoke and pesticides). Importantly, it’s the same genetic risk factor that puts us at increased risk for Alzheimer’s disease. Although this gene raises the risk, it does not necessarily determine that one will get Alzheimer’s disease. This study found an increased presence of the APOE4 gene variant in Veterans with GWI, and it was highly prevalent in GW Veterans who were unwell and reported being exposed to oil well fires.
Having APOE4 doesn’t mean that individuals will develop Alzheimer’s disease, it just increases the risk
Roskamp Institute’s Laila Abdullah, Ph.D. commented, “This means the APOE4 genetic variant may increase susceptibility to experiencing poor brain health effects after exposure to toxic pollutants in the air.” She continued, “This is similar to what we are learning from studies about the first responders of the 9/11 terror attack on the World Trade Center.” It is thought that individuals with this genetic variant who experienced poor air quality due to inhaled toxic chemical pollutants during response efforts have cognitive problems that are considered aspects of early Alzheimer’s disease.
APOE4 also modifies risk factors that contribute to heart disease
Individuals with APOE4 have higher heart-related risk factors including high blood pressure and high cholesterol, which also contribute to the development of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. Although there are no treatments available to prevent Alzheimer’s disease, research shows that certain heart disease risk management strategies can stave off Alzheimer’s disease in some individuals. Veterans with GWI may be able to minimize their future risk of Alzheimer’s disease by adopting a heart-healthy lifestyle and adhering to recommended treatments for controlling high blood pressure and lowering cholesterol. Veterans with GWI who are still roughly in their mid-fifties will require close monitoring of their brain health, including regular check-ups and memory testing. More research is needed to see how these approaches can benefit Veterans with GWI.
A group effort between the Roskamp Institute and other scientists working on Gulf War Illness produced this study
This study was made possible by the collaborative work of scientists from Boston University (Dr. Sullivan), Georgetown University (Dr. Baraniuk), and the San Francisco (Dr. Chao) and Boston VA facilities (Dr. Krengel) who contributed previously collected samples and data to the Boston Biorepository, Recruitment and Integrative Network repositories established through the Department of Defense’s Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program.
Links to GWI study: https://ehjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12940-023-01002-w
Other helpful links:
Reducing Risk of Alzheimer’s Disease | CDC
Risk Reduction | Alzheimer’s Association
To learn more about ongoing GWI clinical studies contact:
Dakota Helgager (941) 256-8019 ext. 3008
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