Two recent medical investigations have determined that U.S. government personnel experiencing Havana syndrome symptoms did not exhibit any apparent physical harm or changes.
A recent analysis funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) on Monday included research on brain scans and evaluations of blood biomarkers, as well as assessments of hearing, vision, hand-eye coordination, cognitive function, and balance.
Two studies published in the Journal of the American Medical Association did not find any notable distinctions between a group that did not receive any special treatment and approximately 80 current or former US government officials who are experiencing a group of symptoms, referred to as Havana syndrome, which can be quite severe. This syndrome was given its name based on the location where the initial cases were reported among diplomats and intelligence personnel in 2015.
In the time since, there have been numerous incidents reported, primarily among US government representatives stationed overseas. This has sparked theories that they were intentionally targeted using a weapon that utilizes directed energy from an unidentified hostile source. The government has conducted official investigations and released statements on these incidents, which they have deemed as “anomalous health incidents” (AHIs). However, these assessments have varied in their determination of the likelihood of a weapon being involved.
According to an attorney representing multiple Havana syndrome sufferers, the tests did not reveal any new information about the phenomenon and they have raised concerns about the ethical conduct of the studies.
The study conducted by the NIH on neuroimaging revealed that “there were no notable discrepancies in imaging assessments of brain structure or activity between those who reported AHIs and the control group, after accounting for multiple comparisons.”
However, it was also mentioned: “The fact that no neurological indicators of brain damage were found in this AHI group should not diminish the gravity of this medical condition.”
Symptoms of Havana syndrome have included severe and prolonged headaches, dizziness, and extreme fatigue. In certain cases, these symptoms have made it impossible for individuals to carry on with their work.
The second study by the NIH found that there were no major distinctions between those who reported AHIs and those in the control group when it came to various clinical, research, and biomarker measurements. However, there were variations in objective and self-reported evaluations of instability and symptoms of tiredness, post-traumatic stress, and depression.
Washington DC attorney Mark Zaid, who is representing multiple individuals affected by Havana syndrome, stated that the research provided minimal new findings of substance.
Zaid stated that while these studies do not provide evidence, they also do not disprove the theory that a foreign enemy is using directed energy to harm US personnel and their families.
He expressed ethical apprehensions regarding the NIH research, particularly regarding the level of voluntariness.
“Il est dit à plusieurs de mes clients qu’ils devaient participer à l’étude s’ils voulaient recevoir un traitement médical pour leurs blessures, ce qui est une importante erreur dans un milieu médical qui prône le consentement éclairé”, a-t-il déclaré.
Source: theguardian.com
