Voices Of Va Research

Mike Richman of VA Research Communications interviews Dr. Jason Vassy, a clinician and researcher at the VA Boston Healthcare System. Vassy is leading a study that is focusing on whether a test for a specific gene can help patients and doctors choose the right type and dose of statin drugs, which are often used by people with high cholesterol, a risk factor for heart attack, heart disease, and stroke. Statins have been shown to help lower harmful cholesterol levels. Vassy is eager to learn whether pharmacogenetics can help in choosing the right statin medication. The relatively new field of medicine examines how a patient’s genetic make-up affects how he or she responds to a particular drug.

Mike Richman of VA Research Communications interviews Dr. Barbara Niles, a research psychologist in the National Center for PTSD at the VA Boston Healthcare System. Niles is leading a trial that is examining whether tai chi, an ancient Chinese mind-body therapy, can help ease the chronic pain and fatigue symptoms that are common among Veterans with Gulf War illness. Most of the treatments have been pharmaceutical. Tai chi is a graceful form of exercise that improves balance and coordination skills, with slow and deliberate balletic body movements.

Mitch Mirkin of VA Research Communications interviews Drs. Lori Davis and J. Douglas Bremner about their research into mindfulness as a tool to help Veterans with PTSD. Davis is the associate chief of staff for research at the VA Medical Center in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. She's also a professor at the University of Alabama Health System in both Tuscaloosa and Birmingham. Bremner is the director of mental health research at the Atlanta VA Medical Center, and a professor at the Emory Clinical Neuroscience Research Unit at Emory University School of Medicine. Dr. Bremner is also the author of several books, some of which deal with the risks of prescription drugs.

Erica Sprey of VA Research Communications speaks with Dr. Walid Gellad, a primary care physician and health services researcher at the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System. Dr. Gellad's research is broadly focused on improving the delivery of health care services, and more specifically, improving Veterans' access to safe and appropriate prescription medications.