Veterans Affairs News and Research

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Chronic traumatic encephalopathy may affect people's thinking, memory, behavior and mood

New research suggests that chronic traumatic encephalopathy, a brain disease associated with repeat brain trauma including concussions in athletes, may affect people in two major ways: initially affecting behavior or mood or initially affecting memory and thinking abilities.

22 Aug 2013

Low-cost intervention reduces transmission of lymphatic filariasis to undetectable levels

An international team of scientists have demonstrated that a simple, low-cost intervention holds the potential to eradicate a debilitating tropical disease that threatens nearly 1.4 billion people in more than six dozen countries.

22 Aug 2013

Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine's July issue focuses on assistive technology for spinal cord injury

The July issue of the Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine focuses on, "Advances in Technology for People with Spinal Cord Injury." Guest Editor Rory Cooper, PhD, is a member of the journal's Editorial Board. Dr. Cooper is the FISA/PVA Endowed Chair and a Distinguished Professor of the Department of Rehabilitation Science and Technology, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Pittsburgh.

22 Aug 2013

RTI International takes initiatives to understand long-term effects of TBI in military members, veterans

As part of a federal initiative to better understand traumatic brain injuries suffered by the nation's military service members and veterans, researchers at RTI International will join a consortium led by Virginia Commonwealth University to better understand the long-term effects of chronic mild brain injuries, or concussions.

21 Aug 2013

RNA biomarkers in blood may identify people at risk for committing suicide

Indiana University School of Medicine researchers have found a series of RNA biomarkers in blood that may help identify who is at risk for committing suicide.

20 Aug 2013

Mathematical model to help answer critical questions to large-scale anthrax exposure

If terrorists targeted the United States with an anthrax attack, health care providers and policy makers would need key information - such as knowing the likelihood of an individual becoming infected, how many cases to expect and in what pattern, and how long to give antibiotics - to protect people from the deadly bacteria.

17 Aug 2013

UCSF researchers develop assessment tool to predict patient's risk of delirium

UC San Francisco researchers have developed a two-minute assessment tool to help hospital staff predict a patient-s risk of delirium, a change in mental cognition characterized by severe confusion and disorientation that can prolong hospital stays.

7 Aug 2013

Mailed outreach invitations to underserved patients result in higher CRC screening

Among underserved patients whose colorectal cancer (CRC) screening was not up to date, mailed outreach invitations appear to result in higher CRC screening compared with usual care, according to a study by Samir Gupta, M.D., M.S.C.S., of the Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, and the University of California, San Diego, and colleagues.

6 Aug 2013

Non-invasive approach increases colorectal cancer screening among uninsured patients

Organized mailing campaigns could substantially increase colorectal cancer screening among uninsured patients, a study published in the August 5 online edition of JAMA Internal Medicine reveals.

6 Aug 2013

Practice makes more efficient generation of neuronal activity in brain’s motor cortex

Not only does practice make perfect, it also makes for more efficient generation of neuronal activity in the primary motor cortex, the area of the brain that plans and executes movement, according to researchers from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.

5 Aug 2013

Researchers show that JQ1 drug can block molecular pathway responsible for heart failure

Researchers from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine and the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute have made a fundamental discovery relevant to the understanding and treatment of heart failure - a leading cause of death worldwide. The team discovered a new molecular pathway responsible for causing heart failure and showed that a first-in-class prototype drug, JQ1, blocks this pathway to protect the heart from damage.

2 Aug 2013

Rate of inappropriate cancer scans for low-risk prostate cancer patients reduces in Sweden

The rate of inappropriate cancer scans for low-risk prostate cancer patients in Sweden plummeted in the decade following a joint campaign to curtail such tests by Swedish County Councils and the National Prostate Cancer Register (NPCR) of Sweden, a professional association of Swedish urologists.

25 Jul 2013

Study finds that higher-frequency electric current stimulation of the spinal cord reduces pain faster

An animal study in the August issue of Anesthesiology suggests that higher-frequency electric current stimulation of the spinal cord reduced pain quicker and better reached nerves not affected by traditionally used frequencies. A higher frequency and intensity controlled pain faster and more effectively, the study found.

25 Jul 2013

Abortion is energizing both parties on Capitol Hill

Roll Call reports that even though no legislation is expected to pass this year on abortion, the issue is galvanizing partisans. Also in congressional news, outlets look at GOP efforts to end funding for the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality and an effort to improve VA health records.

24 Jul 2013

Scientists take important step toward pharmacologic development of treatment for fatal brain disorders

A team of researchers from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine have identified a mechanism that can prevent the normal prion protein from changing its molecular shape into the abnormal form responsible for neurodegenerative diseases. This finding, published in the July 18 issue of Cell Reports, offers new hope in the battle against a foe that until now has always proved fatal.

19 Jul 2013

Viewpoints: USA Today says 'GOP poisons' Obamacare, McConnell counters, calls for repeal

Making Obamacare work was always going to be hard, which is exactly what you'd expect for a complex new program that affects one-sixth of the U.S. economy. ... That explains -; but hardly excuses -; Republicans' latest assault on Obamacare. Having lost in Congress and in court, they're now using the most cynical of tactics: trying to make the law fail. Never mind the public inconvenience and human misery that will result. Their assault is under way on several fronts (7/9).

11 Jul 2013

Obama touts health care in government technology push

President Obama says government should do what his administration did with the new healthcare.gov and health insurance application -- make better use of technology to make government more efficient.

10 Jul 2013

Kessler Foundation scientists receive more than $1.2 M grants from NJ Commission for SCI research

The New Jersey Commission on Spinal Cord Injury Research awarded three grants to scientists at Kessler Foundation. The grants, which exceed $1.2 million, fund studies of assisted walking with Ekso, the impact of aging in the population with spinal cord injury (SCI) and the effects of electrical stimulation on bone loss.

10 Jul 2013

First Edition: July 9, 2013

Today's early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including a look at HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius' challenges and a delay in implementing insurance penalties on smokers.

9 Jul 2013

Study reveals that low-income patients use hospital care more often than primary care

Patients with low socioeconomic status use emergency and hospital care more often than primary care because they believe hospital care is more affordable and convenient, and of better quality than care provided by primary care physicians, according to the results of a new study from researchers at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania.

9 Jul 2013

Veterans Affairs News and Research

Chronic traumatic encephalopathy may affect people's thinking, memory, behavior and mood

Low-cost intervention reduces transmission of lymphatic filariasis to undetectable levels

Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine's July issue focuses on assistive technology for spinal cord injury

RTI International takes initiatives to understand long-term effects of TBI in military members, veterans

RNA biomarkers in blood may identify people at risk for committing suicide

Mathematical model to help answer critical questions to large-scale anthrax exposure

UCSF researchers develop assessment tool to predict patient's risk of delirium

Mailed outreach invitations to underserved patients result in higher CRC screening

Non-invasive approach increases colorectal cancer screening among uninsured patients

Practice makes more efficient generation of neuronal activity in brain’s motor cortex

Researchers show that JQ1 drug can block molecular pathway responsible for heart failure

Rate of inappropriate cancer scans for low-risk prostate cancer patients reduces in Sweden

Study finds that higher-frequency electric current stimulation of the spinal cord reduces pain faster

Abortion is energizing both parties on Capitol Hill

Scientists take important step toward pharmacologic development of treatment for fatal brain disorders

Viewpoints: USA Today says 'GOP poisons' Obamacare, McConnell counters, calls for repeal

Obama touts health care in government technology push

Kessler Foundation scientists receive more than $1.2 M grants from NJ Commission for SCI research

First Edition: July 9, 2013

Study reveals that low-income patients use hospital care more often than primary care

How can microdialysis benefit drug development

Global and Local Efforts to Take Action Against Hepatitis

Addressing Important Cardiac Biology Questions with Shotgun Top-Down Proteomics

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