University of California San Francisco

Thad Cochran 113 Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510-2402

Department of Neurology School of Medicine

July 20, 2010 Dear Senator Cochran,

Stephen L. Hauser, Chair Department of Neurology, UCSF 505 Parnassus Avenue, M-798 San Francisco, CA 94143-0114 tel: 415-476-1488 fax: 415-476-3428

As Chair of the Department of Neurology at the University of CaliforniaSan Francisco and former president of the American Neurological Association, I was asked to chair the Institute of Medicine Committee on Gulf War and Health: Health Effects of Serving in the Gulf War, which prepared and published the new IOM report released in April 2010. This IOM report makes findings and recommendations vital to the health and effectiveness of current and future U.S. military forces, in addition to Gulf War veterans. The findings are, in part, these: The chronic multi-symptom illness that affects an estimated 250,000 Gulf War veteransover one-third of those who servedalso affects other military forces. It cannot be ascribed to any psychiatric disorder and is likely the result of genetic and environmental factors, although the data are not strong enough to draw conclusions about what specific chemical, drug, pollutant, or other substance(s) was the cause. The multifaceted illness is a debilitating condition that markedly degrades an individuals health and performance. Given these findings, a coordinated national Gulf War illness research program is needed to employ the best modern science to develop effective treatments, cures andit is hopedpreventions. Our committee has suggested a path forward to accomplish these goals, recommending a joint effort involving DOD, VA, and the NIH. It is the committees belief that with this approach, answers can be found. I would respectfully request that you begin this critical work immediately by increasing FY2011 funding for the Gulf War illness research program of the DOD Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program. My committee did not identify a specific budget for the CDMRP program, but based on my own experience, and taking into account the $15 million annually available at VA, I believe that the $8 million allocated for DOD in 2010 is not adequate. A DOD allocation of at least $25 million is necessary to address a problem of this scope and consequence. Equally important will be the need to put into place an oversight structure to ensure that only the very best science, relevant to the problems experienced by our veterans, is supported by this appropriation. I very much look forward to speaking with you about these issues and to elaborate upon the IOM findings and recommendations. I will be in Washington, D.C. on July 27, 2010 to testify at a morning hearing of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs, Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigation, and hope to speak with you via conference call earlier, as I understand your schedule is booked for that afternoon. Thank you for your consideration, and please feel free to contact Mr. L. Blake Lynch in my office at (415) 476-9211 or lynchlb@neurology.ucsf.edu to confirm. Warm regards,

Stephen L. Hauser, M.D. Robert A. Fishman Distinguished Professor and Chair