Four new VA-funded studies will examine the connections between genetics and heart disease, kidney disease, and substance use. Researchers will tap the VA’s Million Veteran Program (MVP), the nation’s largest database linking genetic, clinical, lifestyle, and military exposure information.
Consortiums of VA and university researchers are exploring specific questions related to chronic illnesses common among veterans, the VA says. The new studies join others already under way on posttraumatic stress disorder, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder.
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The heart disease study will examine the genes that influence how obesity and lipid levels affect heart risk, particularly among African Americans and Hispanics. Another study will look at genetic risk factors for chronic use of alcohol, tobacco, and opioids. “MVP offers an unprecedented opportunity to advance this field,” said Dr. Daniel Federman, one of the study investigators.
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A third study is focusing on how genes affect the risk and progression of kidney disease, a major cause of morbidity and mortality in veterans, according to the researchers. This study will also examine how patients with diabetes respond differently to metformin, based on their genetic profile.
Finally, a fourth study will explore metabolic conditions; in particular, the role of genetics in obesity, diabetes, and abnormal lipid levels as drivers of heart disease. “This project will help us more thoroughly understand the underlying causes of cardiometabolic disease and develop new therapies that are safe, effective, and personalized,” said Dr. Philip Tsao, one of the researchers.
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At 390,000-plus participants, “there’s already been an impressive amount of data collected through MVP,” said Timothy O’Leary, MD, PhD, VA’s chief research and development officer. “We’re continuing to engage more veterans in the program and building its research infrastructure through studies like these.”
