A group of specialized examinations revealed that there were no brain injuries or degeneration present in Americans working as diplomats or in other government roles, who have experienced mysterious health issues previously referred to as “Havana syndrome,” according to a report released on Monday by researchers.

A study conducted by the National Institutes of Health, spanning almost five years, does not provide a reason for the various symptoms reported in 2016 in Cuba, including headaches, balance issues, and cognitive and sleep problems. These symptoms were later reported by numerous American personnel in different nations.

However, this does contradict some previous discoveries that suggested the possibility of brain damage in individuals who were experiencing what is now recognized by the State Department as “anomalous health incidents.”

Dr. Leighton Chan, the chief of rehabilitation medicine at NIH who assisted with the study, stated that these people are experiencing genuine symptoms and facing a challenging situation. These symptoms can have a significant impact, causing disability and proving to be challenging to manage.

Advanced MRI scans found that there were no noteworthy discrepancies in brain size, composition, or white matter – all of which can indicate injury or deterioration – when comparing patients with Havana syndrome to healthy government employees who held similar positions, including some who worked in the same embassy. Furthermore, there were no significant variations in cognitive and other examinations, as reported in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

According to researchers, even though there was no way to completely rule out a temporary injury when symptoms first appeared, it is promising that there were no signs of lasting indicators on brain scans that are commonly seen after trauma or stroke.

According to Dr. Louis French, a neuropsychologist at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, this finding should reassure patients affected by Havana syndrome. He believes this will help us concentrate on the present and on helping individuals recover to their normal state.

Approximately 28% of individuals diagnosed with Havana syndrome exhibit symptoms of persistent postural-perceptual dizziness, also known as PPPD. This condition, which is linked to both inner-ear issues and high levels of stress, occurs when specific brain networks fail to properly communicate despite showing no signs of physical damage. The French have referred to it as a “maladaptive response,” similar to how individuals who slouch to relieve back pain may develop posture issues even after the pain has subsided.

Those affected by the Havana syndrome experienced increased levels of fatigue, posttraumatic stress symptoms, and depression.

The recent discoveries are part of a continuing effort to solve a perplexing situation that originated when individuals at the American embassy in Cuba sought treatment for hearing impairment and ringing in the ears following reports of strange abrupt sounds.

“There was concern in the past that Russia or another country may have utilized directed energy as a means of targeting Americans. However, recent reports from U.S. intelligence agencies indicate that there is no evidence of a foreign perpetrator and that the majority of incidents have varying causes ranging from unknown health issues to environmental influences.”

Several patients have alleged that the government has disregarded their medical conditions. In an article published in JAMA on Monday, a researcher suggested conducting further studies in order to be better equipped for future health-related mysteries. The individual also warned that the study design used by the NIH and the current medical technology may have overlooked important clues.

Dr. David Relman, a member of a panel appointed by the government in 2022, warned against assuming that nothing serious occurred in these cases. The panel was unable to dismiss the possibility that a pulsed energy source could potentially explain a portion of the cases.

In 2018, the NIH conducted a study involving over 80 individuals with Havana syndrome. The focus of the study was not to determine the possibility of a specific weapon or trigger causing the symptoms. Dr. Chan stated that these findings do not conflict with the conclusions reached by intelligence agencies.

According to him, if there was a “external occurrence” causing the symptoms, it did not lead to an ongoing or noticeable change in body function.

The State Department stated that they were examining the results from NIH, but their main focus is making sure that employees and their families who were impacted are treated with consideration and kindness. They also emphasized the importance of promptly providing them with medical treatment and all eligible benefits.