Body of someone in a military uniform sitting in a doctor's office with a doctor holding a notepad. — Charles Chen, an associate professor in the OSU Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and River Smith, a researcher and clinical psychologist in the Eastern Oklahoma VA system, are trying to determine if there is a connection between post-traumatic stress disorder and obstructive sleep apnea in veterans. (Photo by Adobe Photostock)

OSU research supports national Million Veteran Program

Tuesday, November 12, 2024

Media Contact: Alisa Boswell-Gore | Office of Communications & Marketing, OSU Agriculture | 405-744-7115 | alisa.gore@okstate.edu

An Oklahoma State University researcher is working with the Eastern Oklahoma VA Health Care System to bridge the genetic knowledge gap between post-traumatic stress disorder and obstructive sleep apnea.

Charles Chen, an associate professor in the OSU Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, is collaborating with River Smith, a researcher and clinical psychologist in the Eastern Oklahoma VA system, to understand how genes, lifestyle and military experiences affect the health and well-being of United States veterans.

The study uses data from the Million Veteran Program, one of the most extensive genomic studies in the world.

“Nationally, we have surpassed our goal of enrolling 1 million veterans in the program, which is impressive because it is voluntary,” said River Smith, a researcher and clinical psychologist in the Eastern Oklahoma VA system. “I think many veterans who participate do so because they see it as continuing to serve other veterans. They may not benefit directly, but the program is leaving a legacy of scientific innovation in better understanding who develops specific diseases and why and what medications might work better for certain types of people.”

Smith said roughly 700 VA researchers are using the MVP research database to conduct studies to understand a variety of diseases, such as PTSD, cancer and heart disease. Smith and Chen are attempting to determine if there is a link between PTSD and obstructive sleep apnea and if some veterans are more genetically predisposed than others.

“There have been many individual genetic studies of these disorders, but studies examining a shared genetic association have been scarce,” Smith said. “Clinically, we know that veterans who have PTSD tend to have higher rates of obstructive sleep apnea, but we don’t entirely understand why because the association is not obvious. “Obstructive sleep apnea involves your airway closing at night, limiting breathing, and PTSD is a stress-related disorder. So, how are these two things connected? This research could shed light on common genetic factors that help us understand why PTSD and obstructive sleep apnea co-occur at higher rates.”

Smith and Chen are studying genetic data provided by VA scientists in the Million Veteran Program database to connect the two diseases.

“Our goal is to pinpoint specific genetic mutations so we can be able to determine what’s responsible for PTSD, and what’s responsible for obstructive sleep apnea,” Chen said. “Our upbringing, diet, lifestyle, genetics and a variety of other factors play a role in the development of these conditions. How do we push aside the other interacting factors to uncover the underlying genetics of PTSD and obstructive sleep apnea? It’s not an easy job to do. We must consider differences in age, gender, combat exposures and many other factors.”

Chen said the long-term goal is to build a comprehensive understanding that allows researchers and clinicians to locate the specific genetic mutations. This could lead to a clearer picture of who develops co-occurring PTSD and obstructive sleep apnea while improving clinical interventions.

“The VA also has a robust electronic health record system, so for people interested in doing studies looking at Million Veteran Program program data, there’s the capacity to link information in someone’s health record with genomic information,” Smith said.

“Genetic markers would allow a healthcare provider to anticipate long-term impacts,” Chen added. “This level of data collection has not been seen anywhere else in the world. It is difficult to collect this kind of data extensively for a genetic association study.”

Oklahoma veterans wishing to participate in the Million Veteran Program can visit the MVP website.

“The data from the Million Veteran Program will lead the way for healthcare innovation and precision medicine long after I’m gone,” Smith said. “I think it will contribute to understanding disease development and progression and a better understanding of what medications work for certain people and what side effects are more likely. It is going to help bring about medicine tailored to the individual.”