Oleoylethanolamide supplementation improves mood and reduces fatigue in veterans with GWI in a 15-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled exploratory clinical trial.

OEA supplementation produced a main effect for reducing fatigue in veterans with GWI.

• Fatigue was measured using the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (MFI-20)
• The main effect of OEA for reducing fatigue was statistically significant (p≤0.05)
• Participants received 200 mg of OEA twice daily or matching placebo for 10 weeks
• The trial included 52 veterans with GWI (mean age 59±5 SD, 94% males, 79% White)

OEA supplementation produced a main effect for improving total mood disturbances score in veterans with GWI.

• Mood was measured using the abbreviated Profile of Mood States (POMS)
• The main effect of OEA for improving total mood disturbances score was statistically significant (p≤0.05)
• Outcomes were administered at baseline and at 10- and 15-week timepoints
• A 5-week open-label OEA extension followed the 10-week blinded phase

Participants on OEA reported improvements in energy, emotional well-being, and social functioning.

• These outcomes were measured using the Veterans RAND 36-Item Health Survey (SF-36 V)
• Improvements in energy, emotional well-being, and social functioning were statistically significant (p≤0.05)
• No changes were observed in cognitive performance or pain

OEA supplementation produced no significant changes in cognitive performance.

• Cognitive performance was assessed using the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS) and CNS Vital Signs Test
• No statistically significant changes were observed in cognitive outcomes with OEA treatment
• Assessments were administered at baseline, 10 weeks, and 15 weeks

OEA supplementation produced no significant changes in pain outcomes.

• Pain was measured using the Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire
• No statistically significant changes in pain were observed with OEA treatment
• Pain was assessed at baseline, 10 weeks, and 15 weeks

OEA was well-tolerated with no serious adverse events reported during the trial.

• The trial was a 15-week study including both a 10-week blinded phase and a 5-week open-label extension
• No serious adverse events were recorded in the 52 enrolled veterans
• The study was registered under ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier no. NCT05252949 (first posted date: 23/02/2022)

Gulf War Illness affects approximately 32% of veterans from the 1990-1991 Gulf War and has no FDA-approved treatment.

• GWI is characterized by fatigue, mood disturbances, pain, and cognitive decrements
• There is currently no FDA-approved treatment for GWI
• The study enrolled veterans with a mean age of 59±5 SD, 94% males, and 79% White