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2015 VISN 20 MIRECC Staff Research Articles/Publications and Presentations

VISN 20 MIRECC Staff Research Articles/Publications and Presentations

The findings of NW MIRECC research are disseminated through MIRECC Presents, lectures and presentations, and publications. Below is a list of publications and presentations by VISN 20 NW MIRECC researchers and fellowship program faculty that have been published in 2015. 

Adams, M. H., Lovejoy, T. I., Turk, D. C., Dobscha, S. K., Hauser, P., & Morasco, B. J. (2015). Pain-related anxiety
mediates the relationship between depressive symptoms and pain interference in veterans with hepatitis C. General Hospital Psychiatry, 37(6), 533-537. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2015.07.003

ABSTRACT: Depression and chronic pain are common in persons chronically infected with the hepatitis C virus (HCV), although little is known about the rate of co-occurrence or mechanisms by which they are associated. We evaluated whether pain-related anxiety affects the relationship between depressive symptoms and pain-related physical functioning in patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV).

Arnsten, A., Raskind, M. A., Taylor, F. B., & Conner, D. F. (2015). The effects of stress exposure on prefrontal cortex:
Translating basic research into successful treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder. Neurobiology of Stress, 1, 89-99.

Banks, W., Gray, A., Erickson, M., Salameh, T., Damodarasamy, M., Sheibani, N., … & Reed, M. (2015). Lipopolysaccharide-
induced blood-brain barrier disruption: roles of cyclooxygenase, oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and elements of the neurovascular unit. Journal of Neuroinflammation, 12(1), 223. doi:10.1186/s12974-015-0434-1

Blosnich, J. R., Marsiglio, M. C., Gao, S., Gordon, A. J., Shipherd, J. C., Kauth, M. R., … & Fine, M. J. (2015).
Associations of socio-political indicators of LGBT climate with mental health among transgender veterans receiving VA health care. Manuscript Submitted for Publication, 1, 1.

Boehnlein J.K. (2015). Interviewer for video clinical vignettes illustrating the DSM 5 Outline for Cultural Formulation,
in Clinical Manual of Cultural Psychiatry, 2nd edition, R. Lim (Ed.). Washington DC: American Psychiatric Publishing. (Not available for download)

Boehnlein, J. K., Kinzie, J. D., Leung, P. K., Cary, M., Cheng, K., & Sedighi, B. (2015). The Intercultural Psychiatric
Program at Oregon Health and Science University. In L. W. Roberts, D. Reicherter, S. Adelsheim, & S.V. Joshi (Eds.), Partnerships for mental health: Narratives of community and academic collaboration. Heidelberg: Springer International Publishing Switzerland. (Not available for download)

Boehnlein, J. K., Westermeyer, J., & Scalco, M. (2015). The cultural formulation interview for refugees and immigrants.
In R. Lewis-Fernandez, N. Aggarwal, L. Hinton, D. E. Hinton, & L. Kirmayer (Eds.), DSM-5 Handbook on the Cultural Formulation Interview. Washington DC: American Psychiatric Publishing. (Not available for download)

Burch, A. E., Morasco, B. J., & Petry, N. M. (2015). Patients undergoing substance abuse treatment and receiving
financial assistance for a physical disability respond well to contingency management treatment. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 58, 67-71.

ABSTRACT: Physical illness and disability are common in individuals with substance use disorders, but little is known about the impact of physical disability status on substance use treatment outcomes. This study examined the main and interactive effects of physical disability payment status on substance use treatment. Read full research article: Patients undergoing substance abuse treatment and receiving financial assistance for a physical disability respond well to contingency management treatment

Bush, N. E., Dobscha, S., Denneson, L. M., Hoffman, J. E., Crain, A., Crumpton, R., … & Kinn, J. T. (2015). A
virtual hope box smartphone app as an accessory to therapy: Proof of concept in a clinical sample of veterans. Suicide and Life Threatening Behavior, 45(1), 1-9. doi:10.1111/sltb.12103

Cross, D., Hysa, L., Pagulayan, K. F., Mayer, C., Cook, D. G., Petrie, E., … & Peskind, E. R. (2015). Longitudinal
assessment of repetitive blast mild traumatic brain injury in veterans using FDG-PET imaging. Journal of Nuclear Medicine, 56(supplement 3), 1609. Retrieved from http://jnm.snmjournals.org/content/56/supplement_3/1609.abstract

Daniels, L. R., Boehnlein, J. K., & McCallion, P. (2015). Life-review and PTSD community counseling with two groups
of Vietnam War veterans. Traumatology, 21(3), 161-171.

ABSTRACT: Vietnam War veterans are aging into their late 60s and early 70s. In spite of an increase in older treatment-seeking veterans, none of the recommended posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) psychotherapy techniques emerging within the past 3 decades includes integration of a life span perspective. In an effort to bridge the gap between posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and life span perspective interventions, this article describes an exploratory random-assignment, partial cross-over feasibility study that compared 2 different sequences of life review and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) group therapies with 2 groups of Vietnam War veterans.

Daniels, L. R., Boehnlein, J., & McCallion, P. (2015). Aging, depression, and wisdom: A pilot study of life-review
intervention and PTSD treatment with two groups of Vietnam veterans. Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 58(4), 420-436.

ABSTRACT: Vietnam War veterans are a sometimes overlooked subgroup of the aging baby boomer generation. Forty years after the Vietnam War ended, Vietnam War veterans still seek out VA or Vet Center counselors to assist with traumatic stress symptoms. However, there currently are no specific age-related protocols for treating older war veterans suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), nor have established PTSD interventions incorporated gerontology content for these older trauma survivors. This pilot study juxtaposed life review within regular PTSD group counseling for 12 Vietnam veterans at a community-based Vet Center.

de Laat, R., Meabon, J., Wiley, J., Hudson, M., Montine, T., & Bothwell, M. (2015). LINGO-1 promotes lysosomal
degradation of amyloid-ß protein precursor. Pathobiology of Aging & Age-related Diseases, 5(1), 25796. doi:10.3402/pba.v5.25796

Dobscha, S. K., Morasco, B. J., Kovas, A. E., Peters, D. M., Hart, K., & McFarland, B. H. (2015). Short-term variability
in outpatient pain intensity scores in a national sample of older veterans with chronic pain. Pain Medicine, 16(5), 855-865.

ABSTRACT: The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) uses the 11-point pain numeric rating scale (NRS) to gather pain intensity information from veterans at outpatient appointments. Yet, little is known about how numeric rating scale (NRS) scores may vary over time within individuals; numeric rating scale (NRS) variability may have important ramifications for treatment planning. Our main objective was to describe variability in numeric rating scale (NRS) scores within a 1-month timeframe, as obtained during routine outpatient care in older patients with chronic pain treated in VA hospitals. A secondary objective was to explore for patient characteristics associated with within-month NRS score variability. Read full research article: Short-term variability in outpatient pain intensity scores in a national sample of older veterans with chronic pain

Froehlich, J. C., Hausauer, B., Fischer, S., Wise, B., & Rasmussen, D. D. (2015). Prazosin reduces alcohol intake in an
animal model of alcohol relapse. Alcoholism Clinical and Experimental Research, 39(8), 1538-1546. doi: 10.1111/acer.12789

Hall, K. S., Hoerster, K. D., & Yancy, W.S. J. (2015). Post-traumatic stress disorder, physical activity, and eating
behaviors. Epidemiologic Reviews, 37, 103/115. doi: 10.1093/epirev/mxu011

Hoerster, K. D., Jakupcak, M., Hanson, R., McFall, M. E., Reiber, G., Hall, K. S., & Nelson, K. M. (2015). PTSD and
depression symptoms are associated with binge eating among US Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans. Eating Behavior, 17, 115-118. doi: 10.1016/j.eatbeh.2015.01.005

Hoerster, K. D., Jakupcak, M., Stephenson, K., Fickel, J. J., Simons, C. E., Hedeen, A., … & Felker, B. (2015). A pilot
trial of telephone-based collaborative care management for PTSD among Iraq/Afghanistan war veterans. Telemedicine and e-Health. Advance Online Publication. doi: 10.1089/tmj.2013.0337

Hoerster, K. D., Millstein, R. A., Hall, K. S., Gray, K. E., Reiber, G. E., Nelson, K. M., & Saelens, B. E. (2015). Individual
and contextual correlates of physical activity among a clinical sample of United States Veterans. Social Science & Medicine, 142, 100-8. Advance Online Publication. doi:10.1016/j.socscimed.2015.07.034

Hoggatt, K., Jamison, A., Lehavot, K., Cucciare, M. A., Timko, C., & Simpson, T. L. (2015). Alcohol and drug misuse, abuse,
and dependence in women Veterans. Epidemiologic Reviews, 37, 23-37.

Janney, C. A., Kilbourne, A. M., Germain, A., Lai, Z., Hoerster, K. D., Goodrich, D. E., … & Richardson, C. R. (2015). The
influence of sleep disordered breathing on weight loss in a national weight management program. Sleep, 39(1), 59-65. doi: 10.5665/sleep.5318.

Katon, J. G., Lehavot, K., Simpson, T. L., Williams, E. C., Barnett, S. B., Grossbard, J. R., … & Reiber, G. E. (2015).
Adverse childhood experiences, military service, and adult health. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 49(4), 573-82. doi: 10.1016/j.amepre.2015.03.020.

Lehavot, K., O'Hara, R. M., Washington, D. L., Yano, E. M., & Simpson, T. L. (2015). Posttraumatic stress disorder
symptom severity and socioeconomic factors associated with Veterans Health Administration use among women veterans. Womens Health Issues, 25(5), 535-41. doi: 10.1016/j.whi.2015.05.003

Li, G., Xiong, K., Korff, A., Pan, C., Quinn, J. F., Galasko, D. R., … & Zhang, J. (2015). Increased CSF E-selectin
in Alzheimer's disease without altered CSF AB42 and tau. Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, 47, 883-887.

Littman, A. J., Damschroder, L. J., Goodrich, D. E., Verchinina, L., Lai, Z., Hyungjin, M. … & Owen, R. (2015). National
evaluation of obesity screening and treatment among Veterans with and without mental health disorders. General Hospital Psychiatry, 37(1), 7-13. doi: 10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2014.11.005

Millstein, R. A., Hoerster, K. D., Rosenberg, D. E., Nelson, K. M., Reiber, G., & Saelens, B. E. (2015). Individual,
social, and neighborhood associations with sitting time among veterans. The Journal of Physical Activity & Health. Advance Online Publication.

Morasco, B. J., Greaves, D. W., Lovejoy, T. I., Turk, D.C., Dobscha, S.K., & Hauser, P. (2015, May). Development and
preliminary evaluation of an integrated cognitive-behavior treatment for patients with the hepatitis C virus who have comorbid chronic pain and substance use disorder. Poster presented at the American Pain Society Annual Meeting, Palm Springs, CA.

Morasco, B. J., Krebs, E. E., Cavanagh, R., Hyde, S., Crain, A., & Dobscha, S. K. (2015). Treatment changes following
aberrant urine drug test results for patients prescribed chronic opioid therapy. Journal of Opioid Management, 11(1), 45-51.

Morasco, B. J., Turk, D. C., & Nicolaidis, C. (2015). Psychometric properties of the centrality of pain scale. Journal of
Pain, 16(7), 676-681.

ABSTRACT: The Centrality of Pain Scale (COPS) is a recently developed patient-centered, 10-item self-report measure designed to assess how central, or dominating, in their lives individuals with chronic pain perceive pain to be. The Centrality of Pain Scale (COPS) underwent initial development and validation previously; preliminary results suggested that the measure had excellent psychometric properties and that Centrality of Pain Scale (COPS) scores were associated with important clinical factors. Read full research article: Psychometric properties of the centrality of pain scale

Peskind, E. R., Kraemer, B. C., & Zhang, J. (2015). Biofluid biomarkers of mild traumatic brain injury: Whither plasma
tau. JAMA Neurology, 72(10), 1103. doi:10.1001/jamaneurol.2015.1789

Raskind, M. A. (2015). Prazosin for the treatment of PTSD. Current Treatment Options in Psychiatry, 2, 192-203.
doi: 10.1007/s40501-015-0040-y

Rasmussen, D. D., Johanson, S., & Kincaid, C. (2015). Reduction of a1-adrenergic signaling at the time of traumatic
stress prevents subsequent development of increased alcohol drinking. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 1, 53. doi: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2015.07.535.

Rasmussen, D. D., Kincaid, C. L., & Froehlich, J. C. (2015). Prazosin + naltrexone decreases alcohol drinking more
effectively than does either drug alone in P rats with a protracted history of extensive voluntary alcohol drinking, dependence, and multiple withdrawals. Alcoholism Clinical and Experimental Research, 39(9), 1832-41. doi: 10.1111/acer.12828

Schoenleber, M., Sippel, L. M., Jakupcak, M., & Tull, M. T. (2015). Role of trait shame in the association between
posttraumatic stress and aggression among men with a history of interpersonal trauma. Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy, 7, 43-49. doi: 10.1037/a0037434.

Simpson, T. L., Malte, C., Dietel, B., Tell, D., Pocock, I., Lyons, R., Varon, D., Raskind, M. A., Saxon, A. J., & Saxon, A. J.
(2015). A pilot trial of prazosin, an alpha-1 adrenergic antagonist, for comorbid alcohol dependence and posttraumatic stress disorder. Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, 39(5), 808-17. doi: 10.1111/acer.12703

Sones, H., Madsen, J., Jakupcak, M., & Thorp, S. (2015). Evaluation of an educational group therapy program for female
partners of veterans diagnosed with PTSD: A pilot study. Couple and Family Psychology: Research and Practice, 4(3), 150-160. doi:10.1037/cfp0000044

Spear, A., Ogram, S. A., Morasco, B. J., Smerage, L. E., & Flanegan, J. B. (2015). Viral precursor protein P3 and its processed
products perform discrete and essential functions in the poliovirus RNA replication complex. Virology, 485, 492-501.

ABSTRACT: The differential use of protein precursors and their products is a key strategy used during poliovirus replication. To characterize the role of protein precursors during replication, we examined the complementation profiles of mutants that inhibited 3D polymerase or 3C-RNA binding activity. We showed that 3D entered the replication complex in the form of its precursor, P3 (or 3CD), and was cleaved to release active 3D polymerase. Read full research article: Viral precursor protein P3 and its processed products perform discrete and essential functions in the poliovirus RNA replication complex

Szot, P., Franklin, A., Miguelez, C., Wang, Y., Vidaurrazaga, I., Ugedo, L., … & Raskind, M. A. (2015). Depressive-Like behavior
observed with a minimal loss of locus coeruleus (LC) neurons following administration of 6-hydroxydopamine is associated with electrophysiological changes and reversed with precursors of norepinephrine. Neuropharmacology, 101, 76-86. Advance Online Publication. doi: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2015.09.003

Wheeler, J., McMillan, P., Hawk, M., Iba, M., Robinson, L., Xu, G., … & Kraemer, B. C. (2015). High copy wildtype human 1N4R
tau expression promotes early pathological tauopathy accompanied by cognitive deficits without progressive neurofibrillary degeneration. Acta Neuropathologica Communications, 3(1), 33. doi:10.1186/s40478-015-0210-6

Wilkinson, C. (2015). Commentary on a neuroendocrine approach to patients with traumatic brain injury. Endocrine Practice, 1(7),
851-3. doi: 10.4158/EP15854.CO.

Yang, Y., Keene, C., Peskind, E. R., Galasko, D., Hu, S., Cudaback, E., … & Montine, T. (2015). Cerebrospinal fluid
norepinephrine and cognition in subjects across the adult age span. Journal of Neuropathology & Experimental Neurology, 74(7), 672-687. doi: 10.1097/NEN.0000000000000207

Zaccari, B. (2015). Domestic violence and intimate partner violence in US veterans: strengthening connections between the VA
and community providers. Traumatic Stress Points, International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies. Retrieved from https://www.istss.org/education-research/traumatic-stresspoints/2015-august/military-matters-domestic-violence-and-intimate-pa.aspx

NW MIRECC Research Articles:   In Press | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014


NW MIRECCVeterans Integrated Service Network 20 (VISN 20) serves 135 counties in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, and extending into Del Norte County California and Lincoln County Montana. VISN 20 is the largest geographic region of VA and home to 273 federally recognized American Indian and Alaskan Native tribes, 229 of which are located in Alaska. Encompassing 23% of the US land mass, VISN 20 spans three time zones over 817,417 square miles. VA Puget Sound Health Care System (VAPSHCS) and the Portland VA Health Care System (VAPORHCS) were commissioned by Congress and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) as one of the first three Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Centers (MIRECCs) in the United States. VAPSHCS serves Veterans from a five-state area in the Pacific Northwest with two main divisions: American Lake VA Medical Center and Seattle VA Medical Center. VA Outpatient Clinics and Vet Centers in Washington are located in Bellingham, Bellevue, Bremerton, Chehalis, Edmunds, Everett, Federal Way, Lacey, Mount Vernon, Olympia, Port Angeles, Puyallup, Richland, Renton, Silverdale, Seattle, Spokane, Union Gap, Vancouver, Walla Walla, Wenatchee, and Yakima. Veterans in Washington are also served by VA Medical Centers in Spokane, Vancouver, and Walla Walla. VAPORHCS serves Veterans in Oregon and Southwest Washington with two main divisions: Portland VA Medical Center and Vancouver VA Medical Center. VA Outpatient Clinics and Vet Centers in Oregon are located in Bend, Boardman, Brookings, Enterprise, Eugene, Fairview, Grants Pass, Hines, Hillsboro, Klamath Falls, LaGrande, Lincoln City, Newport, Portland, Salem, The Dalles, Warrenton, and West Linn. Veterans in Oregon are also served by VA Medical Centers in Roseburg, White City, and Vancouver, Washington.

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VA provides health care for Veterans from providers in the local community outside of VA. Veterans may be eligible to receive care from a community provider when VA cannot provide the care needed. VA launched its new and improved Veterans Community Care Program (VCCP) on June 6, 2019, implementing portions of the VA Maintaining Internal Systems and Strengthening Integrated Outside Networks Act of 2018 (MISSION Act), which both ended the Veterans Choice Program and established VCCP. Types of care under the new VCCP include General Community Care, Urgent Care, Emergency Care, Foreign Medical Care, Home Health and Hospice Care, Indian and Tribal Health Services, In Vitro Fertilization, State Veterans Home, and Flu Shots. Veterans work with their VA health care provider or other VA staff to see if they are eligible to receive community care based on new criteria. The VA Community Care Network (CCN) is VA’s direct link with community providers to ensure Veterans receive timely, high-quality care.

VA Vet Center LogoVet Centers in the VISN 20 Health Care Network are community-based counseling centers that provide a wide range of social and psychological services, including professional readjustment counseling to eligible Veterans, active-duty Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Air Force, and Space Force service members, including National Guard and Reserve components, and their families. 1-877-WAR-VETS is an around the clock confidential call center where Veterans, service members and their families can talk about their military experience or any other issue they are facing in transitioning after military service or trauma and get connected to their nearest Vet Center.

Vet Centers in VISN 20

Vet Centers provide counseling to make a successful transition from military to civilian life or after a traumatic event experienced in the military. Individual, group, marriage and family counseling is offered in addition to referral and connection to other VA or community benefits and services. If you can’t make it to a nearby Vet Center, VA offers satellite Vet Center locations and Mobile Vet Centers that may be closer to you.

Alaska

Anchorage Vet Center (Anchorage, AK)

Anchorage Satellite Vet Centers in Anchor Point and Homer

Fairbanks Vet Center (Fairbanks, AK)

Fairbanks Satellite Vet Centers in Fort Greely and Fort Wainwright

Kenai Vet Center Outstation (Soldotna, AK)

Wasilla Vet Center (Wasilla, AK)

Oregon

Central Oregon Vet Center (Bend, OR)

Eugene Vet Center (Eugene, OR)

Eugene Satellite Vet Centers in Florence and Reedsport 

Grants Pass Vet Center (Grants Pass, OR)

Grants Pass Satellite Vet Center in Cave Junction and Grants Pass Mobile Vet Center

Portland, OR Vet Center (Portland, OR)

Portland Satellite Vet Centers in Oregon City, St. Helens, and Vancouver, Washington

Salem Vet Center (Salem, OR)

Salem Mobile Vet Center

Idaho

Boise Vet Center (Boise, ID)

Boise Satellite Vet Center in Ontario, Oregon and Boise Mobile Vet Center

Spokane Satellite Vet Centers in Couer d'Alene, Kootenai, Post Falls, Fairchild AFB, and Newport, Washington

Washington

Bellingham Vet Center (Bellingham, WA)

Everett Vet Center (Everett, WA)

Federal Way Vet Center (Federal Way, WA)

Lacey Vet Center Outstation (Lacey, WA)

Seattle Vet Center (Seattle, WA)

Spokane Vet Center (Spokane, WA)

Spokane Satellite Vet Centers in Fairchild AFB, Newport, Post Falls and Couer d'Alene, Idaho

Spokane Mobile Vet Center

Tacoma Vet Center (Tacoma, WA)

Tacoma Mobile Vet Center

Vancouver Vet Center - Washington State University, Clark County (Vancouver, WA)

Walla Walla Vet Center (Walla Walla, WA)

Yakima Valley Vet Center (Yakima, WA)

Yakima Satellite Vet Center in Ellensburg

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Stories of Support

Telehealth Therapy

For Daniel, Don, and Jennifer, convenient video counseling made it easier to put their health first. Adjusting from military service to civilian life can be both exciting and challenging. Make the Connection

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Connect with the Veterans Crisis Line to reach caring, qualified responders with the Department of Veterans Affairs. The Veterans Crisis Line is free and confidential. Support doesn't end with your conversation. Our responders can connect you with the resources you need.

Mental Health Updates

Explore the latest mental health news, resources, and real-life stories of mental health recovery.

Plan your trip to VA

In 1946, Veterans Canteen Service (VCS) was established by law to provide comfort and well-being to America’s Veterans. With our many retail stores, cafés and coffee shops across the country, we serve those who have served our country. Our Canteens are whole health spaces for Veterans to connect, relax, share and care for themselves in an environment that is their benefit. We are proud to Serve America’s Veterans and those who provide for their care.

VCS operates over 200 Patriot Stores in Veterans Administration (VA) Medical Centers nationwide. Many of our stores have been recently updated and expanded to provide our customers with a modern, clean and comfortable shopping experience. Our stores welcome our customers with wider aisles, wood-like floors, enhanced lighting and directional signage. PatriotStores have expanded hours of operation to provide service for customers on weekends at most locations.

The Patriot Cafe is the best place in the VA Medical Center to enjoy delicious, freshly prepared breakfast or lunch served hot or cold each weekday. Providing Veterans, their families, VA employees, volunteers and visitors a place to relax and enjoy a meal or take-out for their convenience. With a wide variety of food from traditional comfort food, specialized menu selections and a large assortment of healthy choices; there is something for everyone's taste buds.

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