Significant cognitive deficits in water-maze learning were observed in the combined aluminum and squalene group (4.3 errors per trial) compared with the controls (0.2 errors per trial) after 20 wk. Behavioral testing showed motor deficits in the aluminum treatment group that expressed as a progressive decrease in strength measured by the wire-mesh hang test (final deficit at 24 wk about 50%). Following sacrifice, central nervous system tissues were examined using immunohistochemistry for evidence of inflammation and cell death. All mice were subjected to a battery of motor and cognitive-behavioral tests over a 6-mo period postinjections. Young, male colony CD-1 mice were injected with the adjuvants at doses equivalent to those given to US military service personnel.
To examine whether these compounds might contribute to neuronal deficits associated with GWI, an animal model for examining the potential neurological impact of aluminum hydroxide, squalene, or aluminum hydroxide combined with squalene was developed. Among the vaccine’s potentially toxic components are the adjuvants aluminum hydroxide and squalene. Whereas many environmental factors have been linked to GWI, the role of the anthrax vaccine has come under increasing scrutiny. Associated with some cases of GWI are increased incidences of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and other neurological disorders.
Gulf War illness (GWI) affects a significant percentage of veterans of the 1991 conflict, but its origin remains unknown.
0 kommentar(er)
