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Olfactory functioning in Gulf War-era veterans: Relationships to war-zone duty, self-reported hazards exposures, and psychological distress

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 February 2003

Vasterling Jennifer J. ,
Brailey Kevin ,
Tomlin Holly ,
Rice Janet  and
Sutker Patricia B.
Vasterling Jennifer J.*
Affiliation:
Veterans Affairs Medical Center, New Orleans, Louisiana Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana
Brailey Kevin
Affiliation:
Veterans Affairs Medical Center, New Orleans, Louisiana Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana
Tomlin Holly
Affiliation:
Veterans Affairs Medical Center, New Orleans, Louisiana
Rice Janet
Affiliation:
Tulane University School of Public Health, New Orleans, Louisiana
Sutker Patricia B.
Affiliation:
Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Texas
*
Reprint requests to: Jennifer J. Vasterling, Ph.D., Mental Health Service Line (COS6), Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 1601 Perdido Street, New Orleans, Louisiana 70112. E-mail: jennifer.vasterling@med.va.gov
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Abstract

To explore possible neurotoxic sequelae of Gulf War (GW) participation, olfactory identification performance, neurocognitive functioning, health perceptions, and emotional distress were assessed in 72 veterans deployed to the GW and 33 military personnel activated during the GW but not deployed to the war zone. Findings revealed that war-zone-exposed veterans reported more concerns about health, cognitive functioning, and depression than did their counterparts who did not see war-zone duty. There was no evidence that performances on olfactory or neurocognitive measures were related to war-zone duty or to self-reported exposure to GW toxicants. However, symptoms of emotional distress were positively correlated with self-report of health and cognitive complaints. Results do not provide support for the hypothesis that objectively-measured sensory (i.e., olfactory) or cognitive deficits are related to war-zone participation but do underscore the increasingly demonstrated association between self-reported health concerns and symptoms of emotional distress. (JINS, 2003, 9, 407–418.)

Keywords

Gulf WarOlfactory identificationNeurocognitive performance
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society , Volume 9 , Issue 3 , 25 March 2003 , pp. 407 - 418
Copyright
Copyright © The International Neuropsychological Society 2003

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