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.
VA’s Million Veteran Program (MVP) is a national research program examining how genes, lifestyle, military experiences and exposures affect health and wellness in Veterans. 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.
- 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.
Join MVP to support health care research
Brain health is just one of the many research areas that are supported by information from MVP. More than 1,000,000 Veterans have joined the program, allowing researchers to study dozens of mental and physical health conditions affecting Veterans, including:
- Diabetes
- Heart disease
- Cancer
- Osteoarthritis
- Tinnitus
- Mental health, including PTSD and depression
- Suicide risk
- And more
Each Veteran who joins MVP puts us one step closer to transforming personalized health care for all Veterans and, ultimately, all Americans. You can learn more about or join MVP today. You can also call 866-441-6075 to make an appointment at a participating VA facility. You don’t need to receive your care at VA to participate.
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Hello my fellow Vets, I was at the Vetrans hospital the other day for an appointment and found out that if you are LGBTQ or especially a Trans person which I am not and I do not descriminate against you pretty much get the red carpet. I had a serious conversation with a young transitioning former Army officer who was discussing everything she was receiving as far as medical needs ( mental healh, surgery, appt )and at rapid speed . Now I an not saying its true but I have no reason to doubt her.
I am a 57 male and I suffer from chronic PTsd and contain anxiety and depression need help soon as possible please help
It’s a guinea pig project or projects. They find more specimens vets., use them to experiment.Can not even provide them with any( period)dental intervention or total care unless they are hundred 100%.Sad Sad because poor dental hygiene or neglect of periodontal disease has been found to cause strokes
Always thought the vehicle spread away but after this problem I’m having I realize there are a bunch of fools had many tests on a civilian hospital under the emergency care try to share it with him and they snub their nose at it I said no they had to do their own and start over again and put me through hell going to start looking for outside insurance
I’m singed up with MVP and am satisfied with the treatment I have received from the V.A.
The VA
is there to assist and monitor our demise.
They can’t take care of us now they donhave qualified doctors but wasting all this money on how to avoid taking care of us. I go about cream for my burns on my arm and open wounds they send me have pitchers of warts
I’m permanently and total disabled Viet M Veteran with
Bone marrow cancer
Kidney cancer
Colon cancer
Had open heart operation quad 4
Had 6 heart surgery stents
Have watchmen device operation coming up in August 2024’
How can I request a replacement blood sample kit. Reason being that Unfortunately I had been in and out of the hospital for different medical reasons and the one I received got put in a box and put up somewhere. Please let me know. It would be greatly appreciated.
Is it possible to publish findings here or provide a link to wherever they are published?
Husband had been signed up for this program since the beginning ( 20 years?) and has never been called for appointments. 14 years dealing with dementia and Alzheimer’s. Was told by a VA doc that falling off an airplane wing and losing consciousness did not give him a TBI. Had a VA doc tell us that he did not have cancer because we did not treat with chemo or radiation, WE HAD THE PATHOLOGY REPORT IN HAND!
VA IS A JOKE THAT NEEDS TO BE DISBANDED!
The VA in my over a decade of experience doesn’t care about the Veterans it was created to help! It’s the world’s largest government run not even close to being funny joke! The people at the top don’t listen and the people at the bottom that deal with the Veterans either don’t care or can’t do anything (which wears them down to the point of not caring).
Hang tough brothers
the VA is my only (choice?)….I’m 100% service connected and you get what you pay for….I’m embarrassed to talk about my health care…..
The VA spend money on everything BUT the the real health of Veterans.studies are fine but a six month gap from one appointment to the next with a 10 minute time with the Doctors doesn’t help.we need real Doctor Patients time.Build the Hospitals,Clinics that we need.Hire the people.cut the red tape and in fighting in DC.
We’re on the way to another war.what happen to the system when our(vets)number grow.
Phram and Oil companies get all the tax breaks but they don’t go to battle for our country.and they spend a lot of money diving us.the old ways aren’t working anymore
Change is needed.
100% Wheelchair Veteran
I love your comment bout getting enough sleep I request that you get this information out to all VA Primary doctor’s plus mental health doctors. I e had a mental health doctor tell me that 3 to 5 hours of sleep a night is sufficient . I don’t think so
the va ia all bull sh-t
I signed up for this program a long time ago, but have received nothing from this program in the mail or directly to me on line? Can you check to make sure I am still listed as a part of this program? thanks.
I have PTSD, I have had 4 different types of cancer, plus heart stroke, blood pressure issues, passing out.
I never received any information about any other these things.
I have been with program for over 5 years.
I am currently enrolled at a VA hospital. Does that mean that MVP has access to our blood if we have previously shown interest in the program?