WHI 20102015 PSYCHOSOCIAL AND BEHAVIORAL SCIENTIFIC INTEREST GROUP (BEHAVIORAL

TOPIC

KEY POINTS

ACTION ITEMS (PERSON)

New Members

Chloe Bird – RAND

Minutes

October minutes were reviewed and approved.

Feasibility RFA

The feasibility studies were review by the ancillary study committee. They did a great job; We ranked them by mean score. PI’s from each regional center and the coordinating center had a series of calls and emails to see what could be picked up and funded. Scores were tight. We were able to fund 10 studies overall. For those that did not get funded, we are looking at funding with in our region out of institution funds. Suzanne Danhauer study is one the SE RC is looking at now.

Sally will get the okay to send out a summary of all feasibility studies that were funded.

RFQ Supplemental Questionnaire

We had a lot of submissions. We ranked and ordered them. A lot were approved (all relevant to Aging). They will go into the form next summer. We send them onto the OSMB for approval.

Sally will get the okay to send out the list of questionnaires that were selected.

Weight Loss Study – Update

We have a call scheduled next week. We are working on an ancillary study proposal on a weight loss program with older women. We submitted a request at our local institution (WFSM) and it was approved. Our Pepper Center is also helping in the funding.

Anyone interested in joining this sub group, email Sonya.

Driving Study

The driving study was not funded. We don’t have the summary statement to see what the weaknesses were. Once we get the information, we will plan to make changes and resubmit.

Updates on Ancillary studies/proposals

The Late Life Planning has a call scheduled this week to discuss further.

Updates on Papers

Elena Salmoirago-B lotcher discussed her paper proposals:
Paper proposal 1

This study will follow-up on previously published findings (Tindle et al) of a positive association between optimism and reduced cardiovascular risk. The purpose of this analysis is to understand possible mechanisms by which optimism may affect cardiovascular risk. 

1. To evaluate whether optimism is associated with increased vagal/adrenergic balance, as measured by heart rate variability indexes. Hypothesis: women with higher optimism, compared to women with low optimism, will have lower heart rate and increased heart rate variability vs. women with low optimism.

2. To evaluate whether optimism is associated with a lower prevalence of ST-T ischemic changes at the 24 hrs Holter recording. Hypothesis: women with higher optimism, compared to women with low optimism, will have lower number of ischemic episodes.

3. To evaluate whether optimism is associated with a favorable inflammatory (and coagulation) profile. Hypothesis: women with higher optimism, compared to women with low optimism, will have lower levels of PCR, inflammatory markers, and pro-coagulant activity.

4. If our findings suggest that higher optimism is associated with reduced ischemia at the 24 Holter recording (aim 2), we will examine whether reduced inflammation and reduced procoagulant activity may mediate this association. 

Paper proposal 2

This study will follow-up on previously published findings (Smoller et al) of an association between depression and increased cardiovascular risk. The purpose of this analysis is to understand possible mechanisms by which depression may affect cardiovascular risk. 

1. To evaluate whether depression is associated with a higher number of ST-T ischemic changes at the 24 hrs Holter recording. Hypothesis: women with depression, compared to women with no depression, will have a higher number of ischemic episodes.

2. To evaluate whether depression is associated with higher inflammatory and coagulation markers. Hypothesis: women with depression, compared to women with no depression, will have higher levels of PCR, inflammatory markers, and higher pro-coagulant activity.

Elena will send Sally her key questions, and Sally will forward them to the appropriate person.

Additional Topics

Kate updated on the smoking cessation study. They had a great response 70% from mailing and call some women as well. They are working with TSI on the data scanning of data entry. They have almost completed it. We will give folks 1 month to respond before data cleaning. We will send in the proposal to analyze the data. We plan to submit an ancillary study proposal. Hope to submit in June.

Bev noted they resubmitted the R03 late October. Waiting on it to be reviewed.

Sally noted Marcia presented her large simple trial on the WHI Steering Committee Call. She has formed a leadership team and hopes to go in for submission March/April.

Sally noted Joann Manson’s chocolate study went in and June. They are making changes and plan to resubmit.

Sally will follow up with the successful aging breakout group that was formed at the WHI SE RC Research Summit. She will also check with Laura on the ethnicity breakout group as well.