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RecruitingGulf War Illness

Resistant Potato Starch to Alleviate GWI

Eligible age

50–85 yrs

Accepts

All genders

Locations

1 state

Healthy volunteers

No

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About this study

Gulf War Illness (GWI) affects an estimated 25-32% of the over 700,000 coalition troops deployed to the Persian Gulf as part of the First Gulf War. GWI causes a range of pain, fatigue, gastrointestinal, skin, neurologic, and respiratory symptoms. New treatments to reduce GWI-associated morbidity are critically needed. Research suggests a role for the gastrointestinal microbiome in mediating health, including through impacting metabolism and immunity. The disruption of this microbiome plays a role in multiple diseases, and preliminary data suggest that Veterans with GWI have altered gut microbiota. The investigators will evaluate the effectiveness of a dietary fiber prebiotic supplement intervention on improving the quality of life of Veterans with GWI.

Sponsor: VA Office of Research and Development

You may qualify if…

  • 1. Ability to provide informed written consent
  • 2. Willing to comply with all study procedures and be available for the duration of the study (including providing stool samples)
  • 3. Meeting the modified Kansas GWI case definition\* with gut symptoms endorsed
  • 4. Deployed to Persian Gulf during Operations Desert Storm or Desert Shield56.Aged 50-85 years old
  • Moderate to severe GWI symptoms lasting at least 6 months in a minimum of three of the six symptom domains (one of which must be fatigue). The symptom domains are:
  • Pain (joint pain, muscle pain)
  • Gastrointestinal (diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, cramping)
  • Respiratory (persistent cough, wheezing)

You may not qualify if…

  • 1. A Known SARS-CoV-2 infection in the last 60 days and/or with a diagnosis of post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC, sometimes called long COVID) defined as COVID-19 symptoms lasting for greater than 6 months.
  • 2. Subjects identified as, or appearing to, lack consent capacity
  • 3. Alcohol abuse (greater than 14 drinks per week for men and 7 drinks per week for women)
  • 4. Use of investigational drugs, biologics, or devices within 30 days prior to randomization.
  • 5. Individuals who are pregnant, lactating or planning on becoming pregnant during the study.
  • 6. Diagnosed inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn's disease, or Celiac's disease
  • 7. Uncontrolled/untreated hypothyroidism
  • 8. Previous gastrointestinal surgery (colorectal surgery, gastric bypass, intestinal resection)

Where it's recruiting

Wisconsin

Madison

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · NCT05820893 · last updated 2026-05-06