Honoring our aging heroes
Six months ago, I packed my bags and moved from New York City to Washington, D.C. One of the many good things about living in this city is that it is dotted with reminders about the importance of honoring our Veterans and the sacrifices they have made. As VA researchers, we strive to honor Veterans as part of our mission. In this issue of VA Research Quarterly Update, we spotlight research that focuses on our aging Veterans. Read more

Quality dashboard for VA-contracted community nursing homes
"Disseminating a dashboard for VA purchased community nursing homes" is a QUERI initiative based out of Providence, Rhode Island. The initiative seeks to assess and improve the quality of care that Veterans receive in community nursing homes. The VA Geriatrics and Extended Care Data and Analysis Center has created a dashboard that will allow facility leadership to assess care in VA-contracted community nursing homes using nationally published metrics. Read more

Wilmington VA Medical Center and the University of Delaware ink deal
The Wilmington VA Medical Center and the University of Delaware in Newark signed an affiliation agreement to formalize collaboration between the two institutions. While UD has been involved in research efforts with the Department of Defense for many years, the Wilmington VAMC has not been active in biomedical research until now. UD and affiliate institutions conduct research in many areas that will dovetail with the needs of Veterans. Read more

Surgery vs. radiotherapy to treat non-small cell lung cancer
Dr. Drew Moghanaki, a radiation oncologist at the VA medical center in Richmond, Virginia, and Dr. Tomer Karas at the Miami VA Medical Center, are co-chairing a new 10-year clinical trial that will compare the effectiveness of open surgery for non-small cell lung cancer to stereotactic radiation therapy. The trial hopes to enroll 670 Veterans at six VA medical centers. Read more

Fixing a failing brain through the gut
Dr. Jasmohan Bajaj is a liver transplant specialist at the VA medical center in Richmond, Virginia, where he is instrumental in evaluating Veterans for liver transplantation. He also conducts research into liver disease and its effect on the brain and the gut. VARQU spoke with Dr. Bajaj about the research he is doing to develop revolutionary new treatments for hepatic encephalopathy, damage in the brain caused by a diseased liver. Read more

A simple treatment for a complex neurological disease
Dr. James F. Morley is a board-certified neurologist with training in treating Parkinson's disease and movement disorders. He is associate director for research at the Parkinson's Disease Research, Education and Clinical Center at the VA medical center in Philadelphia. VARQU spoke with Dr. Morley about his research award, in which he will investigate the effects of exercise on drug-induced Parkinsonism and Parkinson's disease. Read more

Provider challenges in delivering end-of-life cancer care
To learn about provider perspectives on end-of-life cancer care, researchers at the VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Stanford University, and Washington University interviewed 75 oncology providers (physicians, nurses, social workers) and patient advocates to solicit their views on EOL cancer care and ask for suggestions to improve practice design. Read more

Fish oil therapy improves eye damage in diabetic rats
Dr. Mark Yorek, a VA investigator, is studying the effects of menhaden (fish) oil on diabetic neuropathy in rats. He and his team have shown that fish oil can improve and sometimes even reverse nerve damage in the eyes of diabetic rats. The effects were even more profound when fish oil was combined with an antioxidant found in the body and enalapril—a blood pressure medication. Read more

Using 'young blood' to treat Alzheimer's disease
Dr. Tony Wyss-Coray is a VA investigator in Palo Alto, California. He and his team have demonstrated the rejuvenating effects of blood taken from young mice and given to older mice with Alzheimer's-like disease. They used transgenic mice that harbored a mutated gene which causes cognitive defects in mice that are similar to those in Alzheimer's disease. Read more

'Where's my choice?'
Dr. Jack Tsai, an investigator with the VA New England Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center in West Haven, Connecticut, and his team interviewed a group of VA providers and Veterans about their experiences in providing or receiving care for hepatitis C through the Veteran's Choice Program. Read more

Editorials from VA Research Scientists

• 'Medicare could learn a thing or two from VA: A well-functioning formulary lets Veterans get the medications they need with low copayments'
• 'Management of chronic pain in the aftermath of the opioid backlash'
• 'Claudication: pay for structured exercise or go take a hike'
• 'Will strict limits on opioid prescription duration prevent addiction?'

Awards and Career Milestones

• 2017 Middleton Awards go to antibiotic resistance, heart failure researchers
• Dr. Frank Lederle Receives 2017 Barnwell Award
• VA Nobel laureate honored by Carnegie Foundation as 'Great Immigrant'
• VA research scientist receives prestigious Charles C. Shepard Science Award
• Internationally recognized VA investigator receives Under Secretary's Award in Health Services Research
• VA adaptive technology pioneer recognized for lifetime of public service