FORUM Gulf War Illness Research: Separating the Wheat from the Chaff

Abstract

Clinical research of veterans’ illnesses from the neuropsychology and medical literature are reviewed. Some studies reveal no significant findings, while others indeed detect a higher incidence of clinical and laboratory abnormalities in veterans of Operations Desert Storm and Desert Shield. Neuropsychological deficits are negligible and more often associated with affective, than cognitive, disruption. Some explanations of the results are offered, as are recommendations regarding the utility of clinical research.