Charleston Leader

U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (Labor-HHS), participated in a hearing today to review the president’s Fiscal Year 2025 Budget Request for the National Institutes of Health (NIH). During the hearing, Senator Capito questioned NIH leaders about biomedical initiatives in West Virginia and health issues affecting rural communities.

The hearing featured several NIH leaders: Dr. Monica Bertagnolli, NIH Director; Dr. Nora Volkow, National Institute on Drug Abuse Director; Dr. Richard Hodes, National Institute on Aging Director; Dr. Gary Gibbons, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Director; and Dr. Jeanne Marrazzo, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Director.

Senator Capito highlighted ongoing research at West Virginia University led by Dr. Ali Rezai on using ultrasound to potentially slow addiction and Alzheimer’s disease progression. She asked for insights into this work's promise.

Dr. Volkow responded: “This is a perfect example that you see where science has transformed the way that we can tackle problems like in this case, addiction... through brain technologies developed by BRAIN to be able to manipulate them in a non-intensive way.”

Regarding Alzheimer’s disease treatment advancements, Senator Capito inquired about recent progress and potential breakthroughs.

Dr. Hodes noted: “The progress of this past year in Alzheimer's treatment has been quite remarkable with the first FDA approval of a drug Lecanemab... What we're showing in these studies in West Virginia was that the use of targeted ultrasound, in combination with an antibody to amyloid, increased the effect in decreasing amyloid in the brain.”

Addressing rural respiratory care challenges highlighted by an NIH study showing higher mortality rates for patients on respiratory support in rural intermediate care units, Senator Capito sought advice on improving outcomes.

Dr. Gibbons emphasized telehealth as a strategy: “We know that it is a challenge... We’re hoping that and we’re testing strategies...in which we can ensure that the care is at the level where we can improve those rates of recovery.”

Finally, Senator Capito discussed improving NIH’s efficiency with Dr. Bertagnolli: “27 institutes, that's a lot to manage... As we look at a time of dollars shrinking or not... Any efficiencies that can be found across the 27 institutes, I think you're going to reap the results of that.”

# # #