Study shows 'Gulf war may be linked to nerve disease'

Military service, particularly in the Gulf War, may be linked to development of a nerve disease the US Institute of Medicine said today. The evidence, however, is limited and inconsistent, the institute added.

The degenerative disease, formally known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, gradually destroys the ability to control movement and patients lose the ability to move or speak, but their mind remains unaffected.