New studies conducted by the National Institutes of Health did not find any evidence of brain injury in scans or blood markers of the diplomats and spies who experienced symptoms of Havana syndrome. This supports the conclusions of U.S. intelligence agencies regarding these health incidents.
Spy agencies have determined that the symptoms associated with Havana syndrome, such as dizziness and migraines, are not the result of a hostile foreign power. They have not identified a specific weapon or device responsible for the injuries, and now believe that environmental factors, pre-existing medical conditions, or stress are more likely explanations for the symptoms.
The lead scientist involved in one of the new studies mentioned that while the study was not aimed at identifying a cause, the findings align with these conclusions.
The studies published in The Journal of the American Medical Association challenge previous research from the University of Pennsylvania, which found discrepancies in brain scans between those with Havana syndrome symptoms and a control group.
Dr. David Relman, a respected scientist who has reviewed classified files related to the cases of individuals suffering from Havana syndrome, criticized the new studies, mentioning that brain injuries can be difficult to detect through scans or blood markers. He emphasized that an external force, like a directed energy device, could have caused injuries to government workers.
The incidents of Havana syndrome started to occur more frequently towards the end of 2016 and in 2017 in Havana, as well as in China, Austria, and other locations. The Biden administration has pledged to improve healthcare for affected diplomats and spies and to investigate the root cause of their symptoms.
The N.I.H. studies examined a different set of individuals, with only a small overlap with previous research. Dr. Leighton Chan, the lead author of one study, disclosed that the participants were from various locations around the world.
Upon reviewing the brain scans, researchers found no significant differences compared to the control group.
During a news conference discussing the results, the N.I.H. scientists highlighted that their scans were more precise than those in earlier studies, and the control group was closely matched to the participants, enhancing the study’s rigor.
Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania stated that the two studies were not directly comparable as they focused on different groups of patients, and the N.I.H. study was not designed to replicate their findings.
The N.I.H. scientists did not diagnose the patients with traumatic brain injuries or concussions, citing “functional neurologic disorders” possibly caused by stress instead.
While the studies did not definitively rule out an external cause for Havana syndrome symptoms, stress was suggested as a potential explanation for the findings if no external force was involved.
Dr. Relman criticized the N.I.H. studies for not focusing specifically on overseas cases where unusual events could have occurred, potentially involving a directed energy device.
