Geneticists at the University of Buffalo have found that the condition -- which results in medically unexplained fatigue and other symptoms -- may be linked to a gene involved in the production of angiotension-converting-enzyme, or ACE, a chemical that is important in the body's control of blood pressure and electrolyte balance.

The research involved veterans both healthy and with severe and chronic fatigue, as well as non-veterans with chronic fatigue. It showed that affected veterans, in comparison with healthy veterans and non-veterans, had an increased frequency of a variant gene involved in ACE production.

The geneticists also found the variant gene was less common among non-veterans with symptoms identical to those of Gulf War Syndrome, indicating it rendered its carriers more susceptible to triggers present in the Gulf-War environment.

"The results of this study are somewhat controversial, because people don't necessarily want to accept the possibility of a genetic predisposition," said Georgirene Vladutiu, professor of pediatrics, neurology and pathology and first author on the study.

Vladutiu said environmental factors do play a role in Gulf War Syndrome, but likely as triggers in those with a genetic tendency, rather than as the initial cause.

Sound Off...What do you think? Join the discussion.


Copyright 2004 United Press International. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.