Treatment Trials VA MEDICAL CENTER STUDYING TREATMENT OF GULF WAR ILLNESSES The Persian Gulf War ended nine years ago. Nearly 700,000 men and women participated in the conflict. A unique aspect of this war was that a disproportionately large number of soldiers were reservists and women as compared to previous wars. To date, the majority of the approximately 100,000 Gulf War Veterans who have been evaluated, have been diagnosed as having a configuration of symptoms for which there is no medical explanation. This symptom complex has come to be known as Gulf War Illnesses (GWI). It is suspected that many more may be suffering but have not been evaluated for such symptoms. The Department of Veterans Affairs together with the Department of Defense is leading a $20 million effort to learn more about ways to improve the health of veterans suffering from unexplained symptoms. Two separate major studies of treatments for unexplained symptoms in Gulf War veterans will be conducted. One study will focus on aerobic exercise and behavioral therapy. Both of these therapies have been shown to help many patients with chronic symptoms. This study will enroll more than 1,300 veterans at the VA and DoD medical centers across the United States. The second study, which will involve more than 400 volunteers, will test whether an antibiotic is effective in treating certain unexplained symptoms reported by Gulf War veterans. To participate in either of these trials, veterans must have served in the Gulf War between August, 1990 and August, 1991 and must currently be suffering from at least two of three otherwise unexplained symptoms of: a) fatigue, b) muscle and/or joint pain, and c) memory and thinking problems. These symptoms must have been present for more than six months. For more information or to participate, please call (800) 248-8005. Other particpating sites Exercise/Behavioral Therapy Trial VA Medical Centers Albuquerque, NM (505) 265-1711, ext. 2587 Birmingham, AL (888) 820-1102 Boston, MA (617) 232-9500, ext. 5968 Brooklyn, NY (718) 630-2819 Burlington, VT (802) 864-4492 Dayton, OH (937) 268-6511, ext. 1212 East Orange, NJ (800) 248-8005 Fargo, ND (701) 239-3700, ext. 3502 Houston, TX (713) 794-7668 Philadelphia, PA (215) 823-5952 Portland, OR (503) 494-1104 Richmond, VA (888) 289-1632 St. Louis, MO (314) 289-6554 San Antonio, TX (210) 617-5300, ext. 4061 San Francisco, CA (415) 221-4810, ext. 2287 San Juan, PR (787) 758-7575, ext. 5656 Seattle, WA (206) 764-2795 West Haven, CT (203) 932-5711, ext. 3990 White River Junction, VT (802) 295-9363, ext. 6052 DoD Medical Centers Naval Health Research Center San Diego, CA (619) 524-0069 Walter Reed Army Medical Center Washington, DC (202) 782-6563 Antibiotic Treatment Trial Albany, NY (518) 462-3311, ext. 3080 Albuquerque, NM (505) 265-1711, ext. 2396 Augusta, GA (706) 733-0188, ext. 2305 Birmingham (888) 820-1102 Boston, MA (617) 278-4416 Bronx, NY (800) 877-6976 Brooklyn, NY (718) 630-2819 Charleston, SC (843) 577-5011, ext. 7376 Dayton, OH (937) 268-6511, ext. 1212 Durham, NC (919) 286-6950 East Orange, NJ (800) 248-8005 Fargo, ND (701) 239-3700, ext. 3502 Houston, TX (713) 794-7543 Manchester, NH (603) 624-4366, ext. 6898 Milwaukee, WI (414) 384-2000, ext. 2760 Montgomery, AL (334) 272-4670, ext. 4466 Nashville, TN (615) 327-4751, ext. 7852 New Orleans, LA (504) 568-0811, ext. 5491 Oklahoma City, OK (405) 270-0501, ext. 3106 Omaha, NE (402) 977-5632 Philadelphia, PA (215)823-5952 Providence, RI (401) 457-3045 Richmond, VA (888) 289-1632 Salt Lake City (801) 582-1565, ext. 1466 San Francisco, CA (415) 221-4810, ext. 2287 San Juan, PR (787) 758-7575, ext. 3311 Tampa, FL (813) 974-0798 White River Junction, VT (802) 295-9363, ext. 6054 DoD Medical Centers Naval Health Research Center San Diego, CA (619) 524-0069 Walter Reed Army Medical Center Washington, DC (202) 782-6563