For Medical Research Hub Of Nashville, Federal Cuts Mean Fewer Studies

Clinical trials aren’t always testing new drugs. Studies also look into the medical effects of factors such as exercise, smoking, or stress.  Image via Wikimedia Commons

As the number of clinical trials are set to drop around the country because of federal budget constraints, Nashville stands to lose more than most. That’s because the city has become a hotbed for medical research.

With nearly 1,000 drug and lifestyle studies going on right now, Nashville outranks Charlotte and Austin and is just behind Atlanta and Dallas.

Vanderbilt University Medical Center is the driving force behind the numbers, conducting half of Nashville’s open studies.

“I’ve always thought, ‘I’m doing this for the greater good of other cystic fibrosis patients and especially kids who have CF,’” said Marissa Benchea.

Marissa is a veteran of four clinical trials and hopes to enroll in fifth at Vanderbilt this fall. What attracts her is the chance at getting a life-altering drug.

And that can be a double-edged sword. Dave Gould and his family enrolled their son Oliver in a drug trial for type-1 diabetes in 2008.

“All of this work you’re doing, all of this hope and the praying and everything else may be for naught. Because, you know, he may just be getting a sugar pill or he may just be getting a placebo,” said Dave.

The number of clinical studies in Nashville will likely drop. A letter this spring from the Dean of Vanderbilt’s medical school says sequestration means less funding and fewer trials.

With 979 ongoing clinical trials, Nashville only trails Atlanta, 1122, and Dallas, 1148. Data via Clinicaltrials.gov