Current Research at NW MIRECC
Current Research at VISN 20 MIRECC
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) ranks as one of the nation's leaders in health research. The VA Northwest Network Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center (NW MIRECC) research studies significantly contribute to advancements in understanding medical problems that lead to health improvements for Veterans and civilians alike. Research studies at NW MIRECC are currently enrolling Military Veterans, First Responders, Health Care workers, and Civilians in Seattle, Washington. NW MIRECC conducts research that seeks new ways to diagnose, treat, and prevent the following conditions in Veterans;
- Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), which is also called a concussion
- Headaches or other conditions that might start after an mTBI or concussion
- Dementia and neurodegeneration, including mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD)
- Gulf War Illness
- Drug abuse and dependence
- Stresses related to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic
Research studies may feature the following kinds of activities;
- Questionnaires, interviews, or assessments of physical and mental health
- Talk therapies, which may include psychotherapy or cognitive rehabilitation interventions
- Wearing wristwatches or other devices that track physical activity or sleep patterns
- Prescriptions for prazosin, a medication that may be useful for a number of conditions
- Blood draws
- Tests that measure eye responses to light
- Lumbar punctures, which are used to obtain cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and which have been safely performed in the NW MIRECC for more than two decades
- Scans of the brain, including diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI, fcMRI, or fMRI), and positron emission tomography (PET or FDG-PET)
| Topic | Research Study | What is the study about? | Who can volunteer? | Downloadable Flyer |
| Long COVID |
RECOVER Help us learn about the long-term effects of COVID-19. |
VA Puget Sound Healthcare System is studying the causes and patterns of long-term symptoms following a COVID-19 diagosis. |
VETERANS | CIVILIANS Ages 21-65, regardless of their COVID history For more information, |
Download Flyer |
| PTSD | PREDICT Noradrenergic Biomarkers in PTSD: Precision Medicine and Mechanisms |
The PREDICT study seeks to learn whether simple tests can predict who will benefit from the medication prazosin as a treatment for PTSD. For technical details about PREDICT: https://reporter.nih.gov/ project-details/9707586 |
VETERANS with PTSD Veterans age 21 to 75 with PTSD For more information, please call 206-768-5259 or 1-800-329-8387 ext 65259. |
Download Flyer |
| PTSD and Cannabis | ReCOUP Pilot Study to Assess the Feasibility of Prazosin for Cannabis Use Disorder in Individuals with or without PTSD |
The ReCOUP study seeks to learn whether the medication prazosin can help people reduce or stop their use of cannabis. For technical details about ReCOUP: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ ct2/show/NCT04721353 |
VETERANS | CIVILIANS with CANNABIS USE Civilians and Veterans age 18 to 80 who use cannabis For more information, call 206-265-1311 |
Download Flyer |
| PTSD and TBI | PoND 1 Prazosin and CSF Biomarkers in mTBI |
Trauma may lead to a buildup of harmful proteins in CSF. The PoND 1 study seeks to learn whether the medication prazosin can decrease this buildup of proteins. For technical details about PoND 1: https://reporter.nih.gov/ project-details/9312137 |
VETERANS with PTSD | mTBI Veterans age 21 and over with combat-related PTSD or mTBI For more information, please call 206.277.5061 or 1.800.329.8387 ext. 65061 |
Download Flyer |
| TBI | TBI mTBI and Biomarkers of Neurodegeneration |
The TBI study seeks to learn whether the blast trauma that causes mTBI also causes long-term changes in the brain. This research may contribute to future treatments or preventions for such brain changes. For technical details about TBI: https://reporter.nih.gov/ project-details/9966780 |
VETERANS with mTBI | NO mTBI Veterans age 18 and older who were deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan, including Veterans with and without mTBI For more information, please call 206.277.5566, 206-277-1272, or 1.800.329.8387 ext. 65566 |
Download Flyer |
| TBI and Chronic Headaches | PTH Chronic Post-concussive Headache: A Placebo-Controlled Treatment Trial of Prazosin |
The PTH study seeks to learn whether the medication prazosin might be an effective treatment for posttraumatic headaches. For technical details about PTH: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ ct2/show/NCT02266329 |
VETERANS with mTBI Veterans age 18 and older with bothersome headaches that started or worsened after an mTBI For more information, please call 206.277.3491 or 1.800.329.8387 ext. 63491 |
Download Flyer |
| Dementia | PoND 2 Prazosin and CSF Biomarkers in Cognitively Normal Persons, MCI, and Early AD |
A buildup of harmful proteins in CSF may be linked with the development of dementia. The PoND 2 study seeks to learn whether the medication prazosin can decrease this buildup of proteins. PoND 2 is a VA Puget Sound R&D Seed grant with no publicly available technical details. |
VETERANS | CIVILIANS with NO PTSD Civilians and Veterans age 45 and over who do not have combat-related PTSD For more information, please call 206.277.1491 or 1.800.329.8387 ext. 61491 |
Download Flyer |
| Pandemic Stress | ATTEND ATTEND for Health Care Workers and First Responders |
The ATTEND study seeks to learn about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on health care workers and first responders who are on the front lines. For technical details about ATTEND: https://www.medrxiv.org/ content/10.1101/2020. 12.16.20248325v1 |
VETERANS | CIVILIANS who are FIRST RESPONDERS | HEALTH CARE WORKERS Health care workers and first responders nationwide who are experiencing increased stress in their workplace due to the COVID-19 pandemic Health care workers and first responders who are eligible for care at VA Puget Sound may qualify for an optional drug trial For more information, please visit https://bit.ly/ATTENDSTUDY |
Download Flyer |
The mission of VA VISN 20 MIRECC is to improve the quality of life and function of Veterans by developing, evaluating and promoting the implementation of effective treatments for military PTSD and its complex comorbidities. These PTSD comorbidities include the behavioral consequences of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), substance use disorders, chronic pain, and dementia. The VA VISN 20 Northwest Health Network consists of four states across three time zones; Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Alaska. The primary research center located in VA Puget Sound Health Care System is affiliated with the University of Washington. VA Puget Sound serves Veterans from a five-state area in the Pacific Northwest with two main divisions: American Lake and Seattle. In Washington, there are VA clinics also located in Bellevue, Bremerton, Edmunds, Everett, Federal Way, Mount Vernon, Olympia, Port Angeles, Puyallup, Renton, Silverdale, and Seattle. The research center located at VA Portland Heath Care System is affiliated with the Oregon Health and Science University. VA Portland serves Veterans from Oregon and Southwest Washington with two main divisions: Portland and Vancouver. In Oregon, there are VA clinics also located in Bend, Fairview, Hillsboro, Newport, Lincoln City, Portland, Salem, The Dalles, Warrenton, and West Linn.
Vet 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. 1-877-927-8387 is a free, 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.
Veterans Crisis "988" - The Military Crisis Line is a free, confidential resource for all service members, including members of the National Guard and Reserve, and Veterans, even if they’re not enrolled in VA benefits or health care. Call 988 then Press 1 If you are a Veteran, service member, or any person concerned about one who is hard of hearing, you can connect with professional, caring VA responders through online chat and text message (838255).
In Europe
Call 00800 1273 8255 or DSN 118
In Korea
Call 080-855-5118 or DSN 118
In Afghanistan
Call 00 1 800 273 8255 or DSN 111
In the Philippines
Call #MYVA or 02-8550-3888 and press 7
A Veteran overseas may contact the Veterans Crisis Line via the chat modality at VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat. If the Veteran prefers a phone call, they can request this within the chat venue. For TTY users: Use your preferred relay service or dial 711 then 1-800-273-8255. Are you looking for clinical care or counseling? Assistance with benefits? No matter what you’re experiencing, we’re here to connect you with resources and support systems to help. The Veterans Crisis Line is free and confidential. When you call, chat, or text, a qualified responder will listen and help. You decide how much information to share. Support doesn't end with your conversation. Our responders can connect you with the resources you need.
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VA has a variety of mental health resources, information, treatment options, and more — all accessible to Veterans, Veterans’ supporters, and the general public. Explore the pages below to learn more about a specific mental health topic. Each of these pages includes resources, information on treatment options, and more.
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Dial 988 then press 1
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