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DNA Methylation Markers in Veterans Exposed to Open Burn Pits
NCT06305091 · View on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
Study Summary
Background: The VA and DoD estimate that 3.5 million Veterans and Service Members were exposed to open burn pits used for waste disposal during military deployments to countries such as Kuwait, Afghanistan, and Iraq since 1990. Since the lasting adverse effects of this exposure on health are unknown, the VA Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry (AHOBPR) was created. More than 209,000 participants to date have answered the registry questionnaire about the extent of exposure to burn pits and other airborne hazards. The questions attempted to quantify the duration of exposure, the severity of acute health effects, and the relative timing of onset or worsening of chronic respiratory, cardiovascular, neurological, and other illnesses. However, the AHOBPR interview lacks specific inquiry about mental health and biomarkers. The proposed study will recruit AHOBPR participants and non-participant for a follow-up enhanced evaluation of their health in a translational research study to better characterize their psychological, physical health profile, and potentially harmful epigenetic and biochemical exposure-related alterations. Hypothesis: The investigators hypothesize that 1) the severity of individual exposure to burn pits will be positively correlated with levels of persistent organic pollutants in blood and metals in urine and specific epigenetic alterations in DNA methylation; and 2) levels of toxic chemicals and alterations in the methylation of specific genes will be positively correlated with chronic problems involving the cardiovascular, respiratory, neuropsychiatric and other systems. Specific Aims: (1) Describe and quantify relationships of the intensity and duration of exposure with persistent organic chemicals/metals in the registry participants and ascertain their relationships with health outcomes linked to burn pit exposure. (2) Discover and validate DNA methylation marks that best distinguish between individuals exposed to burn pits and those not; th
Conditions Studied
Interventions
- DIAGNOSTIC_TEST Health survey for physical and mental health comorbidities, epigenetic marker and heavy metals in blood and urine samples
Study Locations (1)
Arkansas
- Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System (3J/NLR) — North Little Rock
Trial Details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Enrollment Target | 330 participants |
| Start Date | 2023-03-13 |
| Est. Completion | 2027-03-31 |
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Full Details on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗What the Registry Record Tells You About NCT06305091
The ClinicalTrials.gov registry entry for NCT06305091 describes a study currently listed as recruiting. It is categorized as an unspecified phase, which is the standard way researchers label where a study sits along the investigational pathway from early safety work through later efficacy and post-marketing evaluation. The registered enrollment target is 330 participants, a figure that helps gauge the scale of data the investigators plan to collect. The listed sponsor is Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, which has 3 total studies on file at ClinicalTrials.gov, and sponsors are the parties responsible for study design, oversight, and regulatory filings.
The record links to 1 condition, with Open Burn Pit Exposure appearing as the primary indexed condition, and to 1 intervention — of which Health survey for physical and mental health comorbidities, epigenetic marker and heavy metals in blood and urine samples is the first listed. Interventions can include drugs, devices, procedures, behavioral programs, or observational arms, and each is tracked as a separate registry field so that downstream queries can filter accurately. When a trial lists multiple interventions, it usually reflects a multi-arm design or a comparison protocol rather than a single treatment being tested in isolation. The brief summary published in the registry is the clearest source of protocol intent and should be read before drawing conclusions from any sidebar tags.
Geographic footprint matters for practical reasons: NCT06305091 reports 1 study location spanning 1 distinct geographic area — top geographies include Arkansas. A larger site network tends to correlate with broader recruitment capacity, but it does not imply anything about study quality, and site-level enrollment status can diverge from the overall registry status shown above. Every data point on this page comes from the public ClinicalTrials.gov dataset and is reproduced here for reference only; it is not a medical recommendation, an endorsement of the sponsor, or an invitation to enroll. Verify current status, eligibility criteria, and contact details directly at ClinicalTrials.gov, and discuss any participation decision with your own healthcare provider.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is clinical trial NCT06305091 about?
NCT06305091 is a clinical study titled "DNA Methylation Markers in Veterans Exposed to Open Burn Pits". Background: The VA and DoD estimate that 3.5 million Veterans and Service Members were exposed to open burn pits used for waste disposal during military deployments to countries such as Kuwait, Afghanistan, and Iraq since 1990. Since the lasting adverse effects of this exposure on health are unknown...
What is the current status of trial NCT06305091?
This trial is currently recruiting. The enrollment target is 330 participants. The study started on 2023-03-13. Estimated completion is 2027-03-31.
What conditions does trial NCT06305091 study?
This clinical trial studies the following conditions: Open Burn Pit Exposure. These conditions were identified from the trial registry and reflect the primary focus areas of the research.
What interventions are being tested in trial NCT06305091?
The interventions under investigation include: Health survey for physical and mental health comorbidities, epigenetic marker and heavy metals in blood and urine samples (DIAGNOSTIC_TEST). Each intervention is being evaluated for safety and efficacy as part of this clinical study.
Who is sponsoring clinical trial NCT06305091?
This trial is sponsored by Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, which has 3 total clinical trials registered on ClinicalTrials.gov. The sponsor is responsible for the study's design, funding, and regulatory compliance.
Where is trial NCT06305091 being conducted?
This trial has 1 study location across Arkansas. Contact the study sites directly through ClinicalTrials.gov for enrollment availability.
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