VA Cooperative Studies Program (CSP)

CSP Coordinating Center and CERC - West Haven, CT

In 1964, the Eastern Research Support Center (ERSC) was established to provide services to individual investigators performing short-term studies. When the Cooperative Studies Program was reorganized in 1972, ERSC became the West Haven Cooperative Studies Program Coordinating Center (CSPCC) to provide statistical, data management, and administrative expertise for the design, coordination and analysis of multicenter clinical trials. Since its inception in 1972, the West Haven center has conducted more than 50 cooperative studies, many of which have been landmark trials that have changed the practice of medicine. Some of the notable studies coordinated by West Haven have included:

• Coronary artery bypass graft surgery for stable angina
• Coronary artery bypass graft surgery for unstable angina
• Aspirin for the treatment of unstable angina
• Steroids for the treatment of sepsis
• Angioplasty versus medical treatment for ischemic heart disease (ACME)
• Vasodilators for treatment of chronic heart failure (VHeFT I and II)
• Fibrates to raise HDL and reduce cardiovascular events (HDL Intervention Trial - HIT)
• Steroids for treatment of COPD
• Treatment of AIDS and AIDS related complex
• Surgical treatment strategies for abdominal aortic aneurysms (ADAM)
• Exercise vs. behavioral therapy for treatment of Gulf War Veterans Illnesses

West Haven CSPCC Facilities, Staff and Equipment

West Haven CSPCC is located on the campus of the VA Connecticut Healthcare System and is housed in its own building with more than 10,000 square feet of space. Center staff include biostatisticians, computer programmers, project managers, research assistants/coordinators, information technologists, a quality assurance officer and administrative support personnel who all contribute to CSP studies. Additionally, the center has its own computing facilities (IBM RISC mini computer), local area network connecting all offices, high-speed internet connection, and a security system connected to the Medical Center's security office.

West Haven - Clinical Epidemiology Research Center (CERC)

In January 2004, the Cooperative Studies Program approved and funded the expansion of the West Haven Center to include a Clinical Epidemiology Research Center (CERC). In September 2004, CERC moved into a new addition that is connected to the West Haven CSPCC building. Further description and available resources of the CERC can be found on the website: http://www.cerc.research.va.gov .

Academic Affiliations:

Yale University School of Medicine and Yale University School of Public Health

• Center for Analytical Sciences
• Statistical Center for Genomics and Proteomics
• Department of Biostatistics
• Department of Internal Medicine
• Program on Aging/ Claude Pepper Older Americans Independence Center

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