VISN 20 Northwest MIRECC

Overview:

The VISN 20 Northwest MIRECC develops novel and improved treatments for major behavioral disorders afflicting veterans. Since the onset of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) in Afghanistan and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), the Northwest MIRECC has directed major resources to:

• the neuropsychiatric disorders highly prevalent among combat-exposed OEF/OIF returnees:
  • posttraumatic stress disorder [PTSD]
  • blast concussive mild traumatic brain injury [mTBI])
• and to collaborations in:
  • research,
  • educational
  • and treatment efforts
• between the MIRECC and Department of Defense components locally and nationally.

Mission:

The Northwest MIRECC applies modern genetic, neurobiologic and clinical trial methodology to the discovery and development of new and more effective treatments for major and often treatment resistant mental disorders afflicting veterans and the active duty combat personnel who will become veterans.

Translational research efforts focus on treatment for PTSD and its substance abuse comorbidities (alcohol and tobacco); the chronic behavioral consequences of mTBI and its objective diagnosis through biomarkers; the elderly veteran with agitated dementia; and schizophrenia and the adverse metabolic consequences of antipsychotic drug therapy.