Disabled Veterans National Foundation Applauds Executive Order Calling for Creation of Joint PTSD and TBI Research Consortia

WASHINGTON, Aug. 16, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The Disabled Veterans National Foundation (www.dvnf.org), a non-profit veterans service organization that focuses on helping men and women who serve and return home wounded or sick after defending our safety and our freedom, is applauding an Executive Order that will have the Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs create two joint research consortia for the study of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).

This effort between the DoD and the VA will have $107 million in funding go toward innovative new treatments and diagnostic methods of PTSD and TBI. The studies will take place over a 5-year period and will include efforts from many different educational institutions.

The Consortium to Alleviate PTSD (CAP) will be made up of the University of Texas Health Science Center – San Antonio, the San Antonio Military Medical Center, and the Boston VA Medical Center. These institutions will attempt to develop new diagnostic methods, treatments, and rehabilitation methods for acute PTSD as well as address the prevention of chronic PTSD.

The Chronic Effects of Neurotrauma Consortium (CENC) is a joint effort from Virginia Commonwealth University, the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, and the Richmond VA Medical Center. They will study the effects of TBI, as well as treatment and diagnostic methods for the disease. In addition, they will study the relationship between TBI and potential neurodegenerative diseases, according the VA's release.

"After more than a decade of war in Iraq and Afghanistan, these two diseases have become much more prevalent amongst our troops," said Precilla Wilkewitz, President of DVNF. "Both PTSD and TBI are detrimental to the wellbeing and quality of life of these men and women. DVNF is extremely pleased to hear that the VA and the DoD are taking proactive measures to ensure the safety and care of our military and veterans."

In addition to the VA and DoD's efforts for these consortia, they were also made possible by the Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Education.

For more, go to www.dvnf.org.

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Doug Walker, Communications Manager
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SOURCE Disabled Veterans National Foundation