HMN 2025: How Transcriptomic tech helps to further understand effects of Gulf War Illness

In an Australian-first, researchers have been able to map inflammatory pathways and genetic signatures in Australian veterans who have been diagnosed with Gulf War Illness (GWI).

The study, led by Griffith University’s National Center for Neuroimmunology and Emerging Diseases (NCNED), uncovered immune gene activity, offering new insights, additional evidence and fresh hope for veterans.

The paper “Immune transcriptomic changes in Australian Gulf War veterans” has been published in PLOS One.

Understanding Gulf War Illness

GWI affects up to one-third of veterans deployed during the 1990-1991 Gulf War, with the illness causing debilitating symptoms such as chronic fatigue, pain, brain fog, and sleep disturbances.

Despite decades of research, the biological mechanisms of this condition remain elusive.

Research methods and findings

NCNED Director Professor Sonya Marshall-Gradisnik said the research involved the use of cutting-edge NanoString transcriptomic technology to analyze the expression of immune-related genes in blood samples from Australians with GWI.

“Research into the pathomechanism of GWI is limited in Australian cohorts,” Professor Marshall-Gradisnik said.

“Ongoing research in this area is critical to improve health outcomes for many Australian veterans living with GWI.

“Our team is dedicated to using multidisciplinary and innovative technologies to enhance our understanding of GWI.”

This novel study identified 33 significant gene changes pointing to chronic inflammation and immune activation, perhaps decades after the exposures reported during the Gulf War.

Implications for future research

First author, Dr. Natalie Eaton-Fitch, said the findings marked a path forward for future research into biomarker identification and targeted treatment development.

“The study underscores the urgent need for large-scale investigations to validate potential biomarkers and explore therapeutic interventions,” Dr. Eaton-Fitch said.

“With no current diagnostic test or approved treatment for GWI, this research offers additional breakthroughs in this area.”

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