Could a potato starch supplement ease gulf war illness?
NCT ID NCT05820893
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tests whether a dietary fiber supplement called resistant potato starch can improve gut health and quality of life in veterans with Gulf War Illness (GWI). About 52 veterans aged 50-85 with GWI and gut symptoms will take the supplement daily. Researchers will measure changes in gut bacteria and related metabolites, as well as symptom improvements.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Resistant potato starch (MSPrebiotic)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could point toward a simple dietary supplement to ease gut symptoms and improve quality of life for veterans with Gulf War Illness.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small Phase 2 trial with only 52 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. The supplement may not significantly change symptoms or microbiome composition.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Phase 2
Tests whether the treatment actually works, and watches for side effects, in a larger group.
- Participants
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About 52 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Feb 2025
- Expected to finish
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Jun 2028
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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A government agency
The lead sponsor is a US federal agency other than the NIH.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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50 to 85 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Ability to provide informed written consent 2. Willing to comply with all study procedures and be available for the duration of the study (including providing stool samples) 3. Meeting the modified Kansas GWI case definition\* with gut symptoms endorsed 4. Deployed to Persian Gulf during Operations Desert Storm or Desert Shield56.Aged 50-85 years old * Moderate to severe GWI symptoms lasting at least 6 months in a minimum of three of the six symptom domains (one of which must be fatigue). The symptom domains are: * Pain (joint pain, muscle pain) * Gastrointestinal (diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, cramping) * Respiratory (persistent cough, wheezing) * Skin (rashes) * Fatigue (sleep problems, fatigue) * Neurologic (memory problems, headaches, dizziness, mood changes) Exclusion Criteria: 1. A Known SARS-CoV-2 infection in the last 60 days and/or with a diagnosis of post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC, sometimes called long COVID) defined as COVID-19 symptoms lasting for greater than 6 months. 2. Subjects identified as, or appearing to, lack consent capacity 3. Alcohol abuse (greater than 14 drinks per week for men and 7 drinks per week for women) 4. Use of investigational drugs, biologics, or devices within 30 days prior to randomization. 5. Individuals who are pregnant, lactating or planning on becoming pregnant during the study. 6. Diagnosed inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn's disease, or Celiac's disease 7. Uncontrolled/untreated hypothyroidism 8. Previous gastrointestinal surgery (colorectal surgery, gastric bypass, intestinal resection) 9. Systemic antibiotics in the last 30 days 10. Fecal microbiota transplant in the last 30 days 11. Active dysphagia 12. Allergies to any of the ingredients in MSPrebiotic 13. Use of immunomodulatory medications in the last 30 days 14. Any other factor, condition, or medication not listed above the Investigators believe will affect the response in the gut or the interpretation of results.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital, Madison, WI
RECRUITINGMadison, Wisconsin, 53705-2254, United States
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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- AI tailors brain zaps to ease Veterans' gulf war pain