Glutamate Neuro-Excitotoxicity in GWI

The objective of the proposed research is to examine whether dietary exposure to food additives containing glutamate may be contributing to symptoms in Gulf War Illness (GWI). The rationale for proposed study comes from data in the fibromyalgia field which suggests that reducing the consumption of dietary glutamate can reduce over-excitation in the nervous system, leading to symptom improvement. In prior research, a low-glutamate diet (restricting food additive consumption) was tested in fibromyalgia patients. After one-month on the diet, 84% of patients had >30% of their symptoms go away (with 11 symptoms remitting on average), and 8 subjects had complete remission of all symptoms. Subjects then had a significant return of symptoms upon challenge with monosodium glutamate (MSG) as compared to placebo. Since there is almost complete symptom overlap between fibromyalgia and GWI, it is of utmost importance to test this diet as a low-cost treatment option in GWI patients.

The findings from this research will ultimately be applicable to all GWI patients and potentially to other veterans with a similar symptom profile as well. The ultimate impact of this research could be quite profound, as it has the potential to impact all of the symptoms of GWI, as opposed to being a proposed treatment for only one of the symptoms. This dietary treatment has been shown to dramatically affect symptoms like fatigue, cognitive dysfunction, and pain; and thus, has the potential to dramatically improve quality of life for these individuals. Potential benefits of the treatment are great, and risks are minimal, as the treatment involves shifting the diet to a healthier, whole-food approach.

First, the study will confirm or negate the idea that abnormal glutamate signaling in the nervous system could be causing symptoms in GWI. Second, if found to be successful, then this will provide a low-cost, easy-to-implement treatment option for the many veterans suffering from this multi-symptom illness. Third, this research could lead to future studies to identify potential causes of this abnormal neurotransmission, to help prevent future illness onset.