Theory-Driven Models for Correcting 'Fight or Flight' Imbalance in Gulf War Illness.

摘要

The objective of this study is to create a comprehensive engineering model of endocrine-immune interaction dynamics in order to identify (i) theoretical failure modes of the HPA-immune axis that align with GWI, and (ii) promising treatment strategies that exploit the regulatory dynamics of these systems to reset control of the HPA-immune axis to normal. We recruited a new senior research associate, Dr. Craddock, effective January 1, 2012. Work has begun in earnest and we have completed a first detailed model of immune circuitry as well as a broader model describing the interplay of the HPA axis with the immune and sex hormone (HPG) axes in both male and female subjects. Alignment of these models was evaluated against experimental data from veterans (Dr. Klimas; Miami VA). The significant overlap of the latter with predicted homeostatic states is consistent with the chronic nature of this illness.