PTSD/TBI Research | NW Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center

Current Research at NW MIRECC

The Northwest Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center conducts clinical research that seeks new ways to diagnose, treat, and prevent psychiatric conditions that frequently trouble Veterans. NW MIRECC's research entails a range of study methods, including measurements of brain structure and function (e.g., DTI, fcMRI, fMRI, FDG-PET, PET, MPF mapping) and evaluation of psychotherapy interventions. The NW MIRECC is a leader in the safe performance of research in lumbar punctures and in the application of blood pressure medication (i.e., prazosin) for a number of distressing conditions.

Call for Research Volunteers/Participants:

The Northwest Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center in Seattle, Washington is looking for research participants for the studies listed below. Research participants' qualifications vary and may call for both those who have not served in the military and for Veterans who served at a variety of times and who may or may not have experienced a variety of service-related conditions, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), posttraumatic headaches, neurodegeneration and dementia, and Gulf War Veterans' illness. Please see below for current research and contact information (please note that each study has a different phone number). Before participating in a research study, please see "Participating in a NW MIRECC PTSD, TBI and other research study: what to know before volunteering."

Study ID	Study Name	Study Aim	Volunteers Needed
TBI	Mild Traumatic Brain Injury and Biomarkers of Neurodegeneration	This research aims to determine if blast trauma and Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI) or concussion causes changes in the brain, and then measure how those changes affect brain function. This research could contribute to future treatment and prevention of long term consequences of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI). Download the Mild Traumatic Brain Injury research flyer	Veterans deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan with and without mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI). For more information, please call 206-277-5566 or 1-800-329-8387 ext 65566.
PTH	Chronic Post-concussive Headache: A Placebo-Controlled Treatment Trial of Prazosin	This research evaluates the effectiveness of the blood pressure medication, prazosin, as a prophylactic treatment for persistent posttraumatic headaches. Download the Prazosin/Chronic Post-concussive Headache research flyer	Veterans with Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI) who began having headaches within 3 months of injury, which are moderate to severe and interfere with daily activities. For more information, call 206-277-3491 or 1-800-329-8387 ext 63491.
GWVI	Multimodal Biological Assessment of Gulf War Illness	This research will evaluate and identify differences in brain structure and function; memory, reaction time, and attention; perception of pain; levels of certain chemicals in your body (hormones, proteins, neurotransmitters); and exposure to certain chemicals (often used in pesticides) in Veterans who do and do not have Gulf War Veterans’ Illness (GWVI). Download the Biological Assessment of Gulf War Illness research flyer	Male and female Veterans aged 40 and up that served between August 1990-1991, with and without symptoms of Gulf War Veterans’ Illness (GWVI). For more information, please call 206-277-3843 or 1-800-329-8387 ext 63843.
PoND 1.0	Prazosin and CSF Biomarkers in mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI)	This study is testing whether the blood pressure medication prazosin decreases cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) levels of neurotoxic proteins associated with the development of dementia. Download the Prazosin and CSF Biomarkers in mTBI research flyer	Veterans who have had a mild or moderate traumatic brain injury and/or combat related posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). For more information, please call 206-764-2756 or 1-800-329-8387 ext 62756.
PoND 2.0	Prazosin and CSF Biomarkers in Cognitively Normal Persons, Mild Cognitive Impairment, and Early Alzheimer's Disease	This study is testing whether the blood pressure medication prazosin decreases cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) levels of neurotoxic proteins associated with the development of dementia. Download the dementia/Prazosin research flyer	Male and female civilians age 45 or over. Male and female Veterans age 45 or over that do not have combat-related posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). For more information, please call 206-277-1491 or 1-800-329-8387 ext 61491.
CABA	CABA-Cognitively Augmented Behavioral Activation Study	This research evaluates the therapeutic effectiveness of the new hybrid treatment Cognitively Augmented Behavioral Activation (CABA) for Veterans with both Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI) or concussion and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).	Male and female Veteran’s with both Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI) and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) from any conflict. For more information, please call 206-277-5053 or 1-800-329-8387 ext 65053.
IRIS	Iris Receptors as Indicators of Noradrenaline Sensitivity	The purpose of this study is to: (1) test whether changes in how the eye reacts to light can tell us about changes in the brain following exposure to a traumatic event, and (2) test whether these changes can help predict who is likely to respond to specific treatments for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).	Male and female Veterans between the ages of 21-75. For more information, please call 206-768-5259 or 1-800-329-8387 ext 65259.
PREDICT	Noradrenergic biomarkers in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): precision medicine & mechanisms	This research will (1) Test whether fast, clinically accessible measurements of neurotransmitter (brain chemical) noradrenaline signaling can predict in advance who will benefit from prazosin for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD); (2) help identify specifically what changes in noradrenaline signaling after traumatic stress, and how those changes lead to PTSD symptoms in some but not all Veterans. Download the Noradrenergic biomarkers in PTSD research flyer	Male and Female Veterans ages 21-75 with an indication of currently symptomatic Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) (formal diagnosis not required, but the goal is a treatment-seeking population). For more information, please call 206-768-5259 or 1-800-329-8387 ext 65259.
MIND	Memory Improvement through Nicotine Dosing	This study is to determine if nicotine (administered in patch form) improves functioning and memory in adults with mild cognitive impairment. Download the Memory Improvement through Nicotine Dosing research flyer	Healthy, non-smoking civilians who are 55+ with a diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or have noticed changes in their memory. Participants must have a consistent study partner who can accompany them to clinic visits. For more information, please call 206-764-2069.