Million Veteran Program

(iStock image)
January 28, 2025

Inherited gene elevates prostate cancer risk in affected families

The inherited mutated gene WNT9B, which functions normally in embryonic prostate development, increases risk of adult prostate cancer.

By Craig Boerner
October 25, 2024

Blockbuster obesity drugs also may slow kidney disease

The report supports previous clinical trials that found the GLP-1 receptor agonist drug semaglutide reduced kidney disease progression in patients with Type 2 diabetes.

By Bill Snyder
June 25, 2024

Gene variant may underlie diabetes disparities: study

The study was the largest ancestry-stratified, genetic estimation of the heritability of diabetic retinopathy conducted to date and included an unprecedented number of individuals of non-Hispanic African ancestry — more than 46,000.

By Bill Snyder
(iStock)
May 15, 2024

Treatment-resistant depression linked to body mass index: study

Genetic factors are a small but significant contributor to severe depression that does not respond to standard therapy, according to researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and Massachusetts General Hospital.

By Bill Snyder
(iStock image)
May 1, 2024

Study finds 500 new blood pressure genes

An analysis of the genomes of more than 1 million people of European ancestry, conducted by several of the world’s leading genomic centers, including Vanderbilt University Medical Center, has identified more than 2,000 independent genetic signals for blood pressure.

By Bill Snyder
December 4, 2023

New study uses genetic data to support use of thiazide diuretics for kidney stone prevention

A Vanderbilt University Medical Center genetic association study of more than 1 million adults supports the use of the common blood pressure medication thiazide diuretics for kidney stone prevention.

By Danny Bonvissuto
October 5, 2023

Kidney disease gene also has a protective mutation

African Americans have long been known to be at increased risk of kidney disease due to a dangerous genetic mutation that creates a hole in the kidney cells, but Vanderbilt researchers have now discovered a protective genetic mutation that covers the hole to eliminate the risk.
By Craig Boerner
December 15, 2022

Reduced kidney function may cause cardiovascular disease: study

An international team of investigators has found that mild to moderate reduction in kidney function may cause cardiovascular disease, even in people without symptoms of heart disease or diabetes.
By Bill Snyder
March 24, 2022

High blood pressure genes improve heart surgery survival in children

Vanderbilt researchers have found that children with a genetic makeup that predicts high blood pressure as adults are more likely to survive congenital heart defect repair surgery.
By Leigh MacMillan
December 2, 2021

Study links depression scores, white blood cell count

By Emily Stembridge
April 29, 2021

Genetic ancestry and hypertension risk

Racial disparities in hypertension risk are due in part to genetic differences between ancestries, Vanderbilt investigators find in a study of participants in the Million Veteran Program.
By Bill Snyder
September 25, 2019

Study shines light on architecture of kidney disease

A study of 280,000 U.S. veterans, including 56,000 African Americans, has identified in greater detail than ever before the genetic architecture of kidney function and chronic kidney disease (CKD), according to researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and their colleagues.
By Bill Snyder
July 18, 2019

Genetic characteristics of peripheral artery disease studied

New study explores why some people with peripheral artery disease present with problems with their legs, some with their heart and some with strokes.
By Matt Batcheldor
1 2