VISN 19 MIRECC Current Research/Studies

VISN 19 MIRECC Current Research

Blister Packaging Medication to Increase Treatment Adherence and Clinical Response: Impact on Suicide

Research Team: Peter M. Gutierrez PhD, Lisa Brenner Ph.D., Hal Wortzel MD, Jeffrey Rings PhD, Steve Bartlett RPh, Jeri E.F. Harwood PhD, Becky Leitner

Medication overdoses account for substantial numbers of suicide-related behaviors. Non-adherence is a significant issue for those with psychiatric illness.

Keywords: Suicide Prevention

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Burden Belonging and Response to Pain in Veterans

Research Team: Peter M. Gutierrez PhD, Lisa Brenner Ph.D., Theresa D. Hernandez PhD, Nazanin Bahraini PhD, Bridget Matarazzo PsyD, Pamela Staves, RN MS NP, James Pease, MSW

This study is designed to test the psychometric properties of the Interpersonal Needs Questionnaire (INQ-12) and the Acquired Capability for Suicide Scale (ACSS) in a sample of military veterans, something which has not been done. These measures were developed to assess the constructs of Joiner’s interpersonal psychological theory of suicide. Secondary goals of the study are to determine if values mediate the relationship between reasons for living and suicide risk, and whether participants’ suicidal wish can be categorized as either escaping their problems or influencing other people.

Keywords: Suicide Prevention

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Consistency of ANAM Performance in Those with Service Related Mild TBI

Research Team: Lisa Brenner, Ph.D., Gina Signoracci, Ph.D., Jeri Forster-Harwood, Ph.D., Kim Gorgens, Ph.D.

The purpose of this project is to explore the degree to which performance consistency on neuropsychological measures varies in a sample of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF)/Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) Veterans with a history of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) with persistent self-reported symptoms.

Keywords: Assessment, OEF/OIF/OND, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

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Creatine Augmentation in Veterans with SSRI-Resistant Major Depression

Research Team: Douglas Kondo MD, Kristen Fiedler BS, Elliott Bueler

Based on the results of prior clinical trials, the research team is conducting a study to learn if the nutritional supplement CREATINE is an effective adjunctive (i.e. add-on) treatment for SSRI-resistant Major Depression.

Keywords: Brain & Biology, Seriously Mentally Ill (SMI)

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Development of an Intervention for Soldiers and Veterans with Co-Occurring Traumatic Brain Injury and Substance Use Disorders

Research Team: Deborah Yurgelun-Todd PhD, Elliott Bueler

Purpose: To design a novel substance abuse intervention and related treatment manual for individuals who served in the military and have co-occurring mild TBI and substance use disorders.

Keywords: Evidence-Based Treatments, Substance Use Disorders (SUD), Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

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Effects of mild TBI and PTSD on Executive Functioning in OEF/OIF Veterans

Research Team: Marie Banich Ph.D., Lisa Brenner Ph.D., Jennifer Olson-Madden Ph.D., Brendan Depue Ph.D., Herbert Nagamoto M.D., Elissa Roesch B.A., Andrea Sugar

This project will determine whether methods drawn from basic science can robustly detect the effects of traumatic brain injury (TBI) and/or post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) on executive function. Although TBI often occurs in the context of a traumatic event, very little research has attempted to disentangle the effects of TBI from PTSD, which also compromises executive function.

Keywords: Suicide Prevention, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

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Examining Prolonged Grief Disorder and its Relationship to Self-Directed Violence (SDV) among Veterans

Research Team: Jeffrey Rings Ph.D., Peter Gutierrez Ph.D., Jeri E.F. Harwood Ph.D., Becky Leitner B.A.

Losing a close friend or family member to death can be an incredibly painful and stressful occurrence. Some bereaved persons may experience additional symptoms associated with a severe and unending type of grief now referred to as prolonged grief (PG). The connection between PG and suicide among Veterans has not been studied, even though Veterans already are at a higher risk for suicide than are other groups.

Keywords: Suicide Prevention

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Examining the relationship between personal values, interpersonal needs, and suicidal ideation in a Veteran population

Research Team: Nazanin Bahraini PhD, Lisa Brenner PhD, Patricia Alexander PhD, Jeri E.F. Harwood PhD, Stephen Bensen PhD, Marie Devore MS

Through this research we hope to understand which values (e.g., power, achievement, security) and value dimensions (e.g., importance, success) have the strongest impact on suicidality in this population.

Keywords: Suicide Prevention

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Executive Dysfunction and Suicide in Psychiatric Inpatients and Outpatients

Research Team: Lisa Brenner PhD, Beeta Homaifar PhD, Nazanin Bahraini PhD, Joe Huggins MSW, MSCIS, Jeri Harwood PhD, Herbert Nagamoto MD, Shea A. Lott MS

This study will assess decision making in the context of an interaction between suicide and TBI.

Keywords: Suicide Prevention, Seriously Mentally Ill (SMI), Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

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Experiential avoidance in combat Veterans with and without posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Research Team: Nazanin Bahraini PhD, Lisa Brenner PhD, Marie Devore MS

This study is designed to test a novel method of measuring avoidance of trauma-related material in combat Veterans with and without PTSD, and to compare this novel behavioral measure of avoidance with other traditional self report measures of avoidance.

Keywords: Suicide Prevention, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

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Home-Based Mental Health Evaluation (HOME): A Model for Assisting Suicidal Veterans with the Transition from Inpatient to Outpatient Settings

Research Team: Bridget B. Matarazzo, Psy.D., Michael H. Allen, M.D., Sean M. Barnes, Ph.D., Herbert Nagamoto, M.D., Deborah Yurgelun-Todd, Ph.D., Lisa A. Brenner, Ph.D.

Project Summary: The intent of the proposed clinical demonstration project, Home-Based Mental Health Evaluation (HOME) is to enhance the VA infrastructure for ensuring that Veterans with recent suicidal crises receive the care they need during the often difficult transition from psychiatric inpatient hospitalization to home. This will be accomplished by meeting Veterans in the home environment to review and revise aftercare plans. The primary goal of the HOME project is to increase engagement with aftercare, and decrease the risk of suicide during this time of transition and elevated suicide risk. The HOME demonstration project will be conducted in Denver and Salt Lake City.

Keywords: Evidence-Based Treatments, Suicide Prevention

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Lithium Augmentation for Hyperarousal Symptoms of PTSD: Pilot Study

Research Team: Hal S. Wortzel MD, Pamela Staves RN, MS, NP, Thomas Beresford MD, Lisa Brenner PhD, Peter Gutierrez PhD, Jeri E.F. Harwood PhD, Jeffrey Rings PhD, Latoya Conner

The proposed investigation is a pilot study intended to establish the safety and tolerability of lithium augmentation of standard psychopharmacological treatment of PTSD for combat veterans seeking treatment at the Denver VA Medical Center.

Keywords: Evidence-Based Treatments, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

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Military Suicide Research Consortium (MSRC)

Research Team: Peter M. Gutierrez PhD, Thomas Joiner PhD, Pamela Staves RN, MS, NP, Greg Riccardi PhD, Daniel McGee Sr. PhD, Kelly Moroney MA, James Pease MSW, Jetta Sadusky MA

Consortium seeks to develop more effective prevention interventions, risk assessment methods, and treatments to decrease suicide in the military.

Keywords: Evidence-Based Treatments, Suicide Prevention

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Neurobiology of Suicide Risk in Traumatic Brain Injury and Substance Abuse

Research Team: Deborah Yurgelun-Todd PhD, Elliott Bueler

Traumatic brain injury is an important medical problem for Veterans. Individuals with traumatic brain injuries are at increased risk for various psychiatric problems, including those associated with suicide. This study seeks to better understand the relationship between these factors.

Keywords: Evidence-Based Treatments, Suicide Prevention, Substance Use Disorders (SUD), Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

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Pilot Study to Determine the Forward Rate Constant for Creatine Kinase by Magnetization Transfer Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS) in Healthy Human Brain and Bipolar Disorder

Research Team: Perry Renshaw M.D., Ph.D., Kristen Fiedler BS, Elliott Bueler

We propose to use a type of brain scan to allow us to measure the concentration of certain brain chemicals in individuals with bipolar disorder.

Keywords: Brain & Biology, Seriously Mentally Ill (SMI)

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Suicide & Self-Directed Violence Classification System

Resarch Team: Lisa Brenner PhD, Katherine Bellon, Lisa Betthauser, Ryan Breshears, Morton Silverman, Herbert Nagamoto

The purpose of this study is to further develop and adapt the VISN 19 MIRECC SDVCS and Clinical Tool to enhance feasibility for implementation in diverse VA treatment settings, and to assess its impact on healthcare system processes pertaining to the assessment and management of suicide risk.

Keywords: Suicide Prevention

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TBI-4 Study

Research Team: Lisa Brenner PhD, Beeta Homaifar PhD, Jennifer Olson-Madden PhD, Bridget Matarazzo Psy.D., Joe Huggins MSW, MSCIS, Herbert Nagamoto MD, Jeri Harwood PhD, Alexandra Schneider

Military personnel are returning from current conflicts with traumatic brain injury (TBI). Brief and sensitive screening measures are needed to assess TBI in this population.

Keywords: Evidence-Based Treatments, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

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Traumatic Brain Injury Among Homeless Veterans

Research Team: Lisa Brenner PhD, Jennifer Olson-Madden PhD, Marie Devore, Leah Russell, Ann Elizabeth Montgomery PhD, Roger Casey PhD, John Schinka PhD

The National Center on Homelessness among Veterans was established, in part, to assist the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in programming efforts to provide care for Veterans who are homeless or at-risk for homelessness. An immediate goal of the Center is to enlist research and clinical expertise to increase understanding regarding traumatic brain injury (TBI) among the homeless Veteran population.

Keywords: Evidence-Based Treatments, Homeless Programs, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

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Using Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) to Promote Stress Resilience in Those with Co-Occurring Mild TBI and PTSD

Research Team: Theresa D. Hernández Ph.D., Lisa Brenner Ph.D.

The research team hypothesizes that, similar to other populations, active acupressure treatments will help promote stress resilience, improve cognition and sleep, helping to reduce suicidal ideation and ultimately suicidal behavior. In addition to these potential functional benefits in Veterans, active acupressure is an independent, portable, safe and no-cost (once learned) intervention that is non-pharmacological and therefore has no side effects. The study aims to address a need (reducing military/Veteran suicidality) that has to date gone largely unmet, a need that is also currently a Department of Defense priority.

Keywords: Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Evidence-Based Treatments, Suicide Prevention

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Window to Hope – Evaluating a Psychological Treatment for Hopelessness among Veterans with Traumatic Brain Injury

Research Team: Lisa Brenner, Ph.D., Grahame Simpson, Ph.D. (Senior Research Fellow/ Research Team Leader, Brain Injury Rehabilitation Unit, Australia), Bridget Matarazzo, Psy.D., Jeri Harwood, Ph.D., & Gina Signoracci, Ph.D.

This proposed project will be the first to replicate a groundbreaking psychological treatment for suicide prevention among those with moderate or severe traumatic brain injury, Window to Hope (WtoH), developed by PI Simpson and colleagues in Sydney, Australia. WtoH has been successfully evaluated in a Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT), in which treated Australian civilians (n=17) with severe TBI recorded significant decreases in hopelessness. The current project aims to (i) undertake the cross-cultural adaptation of the WtoH program; (ii) establish the acceptability and feasibility of WtoH within the VAMC context; and (iii) conduct a RCT within the VAMC to replicate the results from the original trial (efficacy). Deliverables are expected to include an intervention suitable for a larger trial and broader dissemination.

Keywords: Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Evidence-Based Treatments, Suicide Prevention, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

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