Panel denies existence of Gulf War syndrome.(Main)

WASHINGTON - An expert panel reviewing hundreds of studies has concluded there is no single Gulf War syndrome afflicting thousands of veterans of the first war in Iraq, although they have suffered vague symptoms at a much higher rate than other veterans.

They have also experienced post-traumatic stress disorder and depression two to three times more frequently than other veterans, the panel found. Less certain is a possibly higher risk for the neurological ailment Lou Gehrig's disease, and possibly a rare birth defect in their children.

"We can't identify a Gulf War syndrome," said Lynn Goldman, a physician and epidemiologist who …