Science Corner

Science Corner

Current MVP projects

Thanks to the Veterans in the Million Veteran Program (MVP), researchers are making important discoveries on a wide range of diseases and conditions that affect Veterans including:

  • Cancer
  • Cardiovascular disease
  • Diabetes
  • Gulf War Illness
  • Kidney disease
  • Macular degeneration
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Parkinson’s disease
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder
  • Substance use disorders
  • Suicide prevention
  • TBI
  • Tinnitus
  • COVID

Read about some of our current MVP projects and 350+ scientific publications using MVP data.

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Nurse and Patient

Predicting breast cancer risk

MVP is researching genetic and clinical markers to predict breast cancer risk in female Veterans.

heart

Genetics and heart disease

MVP is looking at how obesity and lipid levels affect risk in African Americans and Hispanics.

opioid

Opioid sensitivity

MVP is identifying genetic predictors of sensitivity in order to better predict treatment option success.

brain

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

MVP is examining risk factors for developing PTSD in combat Veterans.

Leave a legacy of hope for future generations

The scientific spotlight shines on MVP

Risk
Genetic research sheds new light on Veteran suicide risk

We found ways to better predict suicide attempts and identify who may be at risk.

 
Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder One head Two faces
Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder in Veterans

In the largest and most diverse study of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder to date, researchers reported 52 new susceptibility indicators for the disorders in European and African American participants.

 
Yogurt
Yogurt is good for your heart, VA study finds

Our research found that eating any kind of yogurt is good for your heart health.

 
Breast Cancer Cells
Lipids Impact Breast Cancer Risk

In a study of up to 215,551 MVP partners, researchers found that genetically-inherited elevated cholesterol levels (both HDL and LDL) are associated with an increased risk of breast cancer.

 
Male Having Ear Pain
Genetic Risk for Tinnitus Identified

A large genome-wide association study (GWAS) of self-reported tinnitus cases demonstrated that tinnitus can be inherited. Researchers found multiple genetic risk factors associated with tinnitus and also genetic correlations between tinnitus and hearing loss, insomnia, and neuropsychiatric disorders.

 
Height
Height may be risk factor for multiple health conditions

We found connections between a person's height and conditions such as coronary heart disease, peripheral neuropathy and circulatory disorders.

 

Current MVP publications

Book

MVP has published a wide variety of publications related to many areas of interest. 

Read more about some of our current publications using MVP data.

 
Archived articles
New strides in hypertension

New strides in hypertension

Large genome project leads to better understanding of high blood pressure. In an MVP project of over 300,000 participants, researchers have identified more than 200 new gene variants that could lead to high blood pressure.

 
cigarette

Pinpointing genetic locations linked to smoking and addiction

MVP researchers have identified new genetic information from smokers. What puts people at risk for becoming smokers or engaging in other addictive behavior? Researchers studied data on 209,000 Veterans to find out.

 
3D Illustration Of Constricted And Narrowed Artery

Hemostatic Factors in Peripheral Artery Disease

Researchers found that Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD), a common circulatory problem in which narrowed arteries reduce blood flow to limbs, is impacted by genetically-inherited levels of some major blood clotting factors, but not others.

 
science meets technology

Unparalleled data meets world-class technology

The VA-DOE Big Data Science Initiative: the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Energy are partnering to advance health care for Veterans through technology innovation.

 
Cholesterol genetics and new treatments

Cholesterol genetics and new treatments

MVP project on cholesterol genetics could lead to new treatments for heart disease and diabetes. Researchers have discovered gene mutations associated with better cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

 
Shedding light on resistant hypertension

Shedding light on resistant hypertension

MVP data leads to new finding on ‘resistant hypertension’. Researchers have identified the condition that gives those that have it a 23% higher risk of a heart attack.

 
DNA symbol with magnifying glass

Promoting the future of genetic testing

Million Veteran Program: A mega-biobank to study genetic influences on health and disease. MVP is designed to contribute to the development of precision medicine.