Military Veteran Program Newsletter

Quote from Richard R. on 2024-06-06, 12:30 pm
Brain Health Research from MVP
There are many links between brain health, physical health, and mental health—meaning that brain health can have a big impact on a person’s quality of life. Research shows that you can positively affect your brain health by getting quality sleep, regularly engaging in physical activity, and maintaining your personal relationships and social network. Some things outside of your control, such as conditions like Alzheimer’s Disease or posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), will also affect overall brain health.
Researchers using MVP data are studying these factors and more to determine the best ways to improve the future of brain health care for all.
Brain Health Findings from MVP
Our brains are complex. So are the lifestyle factors and conditions that affect brain health. Some of the latest brain health research findings using MVP data include:
- PTSD, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and APOE gene variants are linked with increased risk for Alzheimer’s Disease and related dementia (ADRD).
- A link between type 2 diabetes and dementia in non-Hispanic White and non-Hispanic Black populations.
- TBI treatment may benefit some Veterans even if they do not have a formal diagnosis.
- Veterans with a history of TBI have significantly higher rates of experiencing other medical issues, particularly mental health and neurological conditions.
- Changes in brain structure and function may lead to or affect anxiety.
If you have concerns about any of these conditions, schedule an appointment with a health care provider.
Meet Dr. Mark Logue: Veteran and MVP Researcher
“I’m grateful that I can be involved [in MVP] and I’m motivated to keep doing research for the Veterans who made it possible.”
– Dr. Mark Logue, Army Veteran, VA Researcher and Statistician
Dr. Mark Logue has worn many hats during his career. He joined the Army Reserve to help pay for college and deployed to Germany in support of Operation Desert Storm as a medical supply specialist. He completed his PhD in statistics while researching the genetics of mental health and panic disorders—work that led him to Boston University where he began researching Alzheimer’s Disease and the genetics of PTSD.
He now works as a full-time VA statistician and genetics researcher for the VA’s National Center for PTSD. Dr. Logue’s work has found that both PTSD and TBI increase a Veteran’s risk for developing ADRD. Findings like these may lead to earlier detection and better outcomes for Veterans at risk of ADRD. Someday, researchers may even be able to identify people with a high risk of Alzheimer’s long before symptoms begin and to help prevent the neurological effects of Alzheimer’s.
Thank you for being part of MVP
Researchers using MVP data are able to study many health conditions thanks to the 1,000,000+ Veterans who have joined MVP. MVP’s research and groundbreaking discoveries in diverse populations will lead to better screenings, preventions, and treatments for conditions that matter to you.
To learn more about the research MVP is doing to support the future of health care for Veterans, visit www.mvp.va.gov.
You don’t have to receive your care at VA to participate.
To learn more, visit mvp.va.gov or call 866-441-6075.
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