An interventional study of Placebo and Pycnogenol, 100mg in Gulf War Syndrome, sponsored by University of Alabama at Birmingham. Not yet recruiting at 1 site in United States. Open to male participants aged 18 Years and older. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-09-21.
Sponsored by University of Alabama at Birmingham · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment
The purpose of this research study is to determine how pycnogenol may reduce Gulf War Illness (GWI) symptom severity. The study will also examine the safety of this treatment and determine the optimal dosage. The investigators believe that GWI involves inflammation in the body and brain that causes fatigue, pain, cognitive disruption, and other symptoms. Botanicals that reduce inflammation may help treat GWI.
This study uses a decentralized design where individuals can participate from anywhere in the Alabama. Botanicals will be received by mail. Participants will also receive placebo (capsules with an inactive substance) during the treatment phase of the study. All participants will have been present in the Persian Gulf between 1990 and August 1991. This study will be tested on GWI participants recruited in Alabama, with a total of up to 20 participants enrolled (to account for potential withdrawals to obtain 10 completed participants) for the entire study. Participation will last 12 months.
The first stage of the study is the baseline phase. During this time, participants will complete weekly questionnaires about symptom severity ratings but will not take any capsules. The baseline stage will last for 30 days.
After the 30-day baseline, the treatment stage will begin. Capsules will be taken once in the morning, and once before bed. This study is single-blind, meaning that participants will not know when placebo or pycnogenol are received. There are also four possible dosages for pycnogenol.
The capsules will be packaged to indicate the order in which they should be taken. The capsules will be packaged in blister packs and shipped to participants. The capsules are designed to look the same throughout the study, though the contents can change. This treatment stage is the longest, lasting 10 months.
During the treatment stage, participants will also be asked to complete weekly questionnaires about GWI symptoms. These weekly questionnaires will also ask about changes in symptoms and overall quality of life, as well as changes in physical and mental health. Questionnaires can be completed on a smartphone, computer, or tablet. If participants do not have an appropriate device, or do not want to use a personal device, a tablet can be sent for the study. A research team member will speak with participants to set up electronic device connections and will verify the information is received.
At the end of the treatment stage, participants will stop taking capsules and will complete the end line stage. This stage is the same as the baseline stage in which participants will complete weekly symptom measures without taking capsules. This stage will last for 30 days.
After completion of the study, participants will be told when placebo was received, and what dosage(s) of treatment were received. Participants will also be shown how GWI severity changes over time.
While this study is long, it is designed to not be a significant burden to daily life. On most days, participation (taking morning capsules, taking evening capsules, and completing weekly symptom severity reports) should take approximately 2 minutes.
41 studies on the registry are indexed under Persian Gulf Syndrome; 10 are open to participants now.
This study's planned enrollment of 20 is below the median of 55 across 31 interventional studies indexed under Persian Gulf Syndrome.
Browse Persian Gulf Syndrome studies →University of Alabama at Birmingham is the lead sponsor of 1,421 studies on the registry; 277 are open to participants now.
Of its 164 completed or terminated interventional studies of FDA-regulated products, 130 (79%) have results posted.
Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.
Go through the criteria one by one — yes, no or not sure — and take the list to your doctor or the study team. Kept in this browser only.
Exclusion Criteria:
Underlined terms in the criteria open these too. Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
A blood test of average blood sugar over the past two to three months, given as a percentage or in mmol/mol. 6.5% (48 mmol/mol) or more is the usual threshold for diabetes, normally confirmed by a second test.
A reason a treatment, test or procedure should not be given to a particular person, such as an allergy, another illness or a medicine they take.
HbA1c
A blood test of average blood sugar over the past two to three months, given as a percentage or in mmol/mol. 6.5% (48 mmol/mol) or more is the usual threshold for diabetes, normally confirmed by a second test.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Contraindication
A reason a treatment, test or procedure should not be given to a particular person, such as an allergy, another illness or a medicine they take.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Participants Receiving Botanicals
Other: Placebo · Dietary Supplement: Pycnogenol, 100mg · Dietary Supplement: Pycnogenol, 200mg · Dietary Supplement: Pycnogenol, 400mg · Dietary Supplement: Pycnogenol, 600mg
The placebo being used in this study is microcrystalline cellulose. This will be taken orally, up to twice per day.
Also known as: Microcrystalline Cellulose
Pycnogenol being used in this study is a commercially available dietary supplement and is classified as food by the FDA instead of a drug. This will be taken orally, up to twice per day.
Also known as: French Maritime Pine Bark
Pycnogenol being used in this study is a commercially available dietary supplement and is classified as food by the FDA instead of a drug. This will be taken orally, up to twice per day.
Also known as: French Maritime Pine Bark
Pycnogenol being used in this study is a commercially available dietary supplement and is classified as food by the FDA instead of a drug. This will be taken orally, up to twice per day.
Also known as: French Maritime Pine Bark
Pycnogenol being used in this study is a commercially available dietary supplement and is classified as food by the FDA instead of a drug. This will be taken orally, up to twice per day.
Also known as: French Maritime Pine Bark
Change in Physical Functioning Score of the Veterans Rand 12-Item Health Survey
This change will be measured using weekly surveys. Veterans Rand 12-Item Health Survey scores are standardized to a mean of 50 (SD = 10), with higher scores indicating better functioning; scores theoretically range from approximately 0 to 100.
Time frame: 12 months
Change in Mental Functioning Score of the Veterans Rand 12-Item Health Survey
This change will be measured using weekly surveys. Veterans Rand 12-Item Health Survey scores are standardized to a mean of 50 (SD = 10), with higher scores indicating better functioning; scores theoretically range from approximately 0 to 100.
Time frame: 12 months
Plan to share: No
No publications or documents are linked to this record.
Start is estimated for Nov 2026; primary completion for Nov 2027, 12 months later.
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This study is not yet recruiting, as verified in Sep 2026. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
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Studies of the drug tested here: Pycnogenols
University of Alabama at Birmingham →