Northwest Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center (NW MIRECC) - Current Research

Current Research at NW MIRECC

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) ranks as one of the nation's leaders in health research. NW MIRECC research studies significantly contribute to advancements in understanding medical problems that lead to health improvements for Veterans and civilians alike. NW MIRECC operates to improve clinical care for Veterans. Although the center does not offer standard clinical services directly to Veterans, Veterans may be eligible to participate in clinical research projects. NW MIRECC research studies are currently enrolling Military Veterans, First Responders, Health Care workers, and Civilians who are willing to participate. NW MIRECC conducts research that seeks new ways to diagnose, treat, and prevent the following conditions in Veterans;

• Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI)
• Chronic pain (post-concussive headaches) or other conditions that might start after an mTBI
• Gulf War Illness
• Dementia and neurodegeneration, including mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD)
• Drug abuse and dependence
• Pandemic stress

For information about specific research, please contact the number listed on the research study.

Study Topic	Research Study	Aim, What the study is about, and Technical Details	Who is Eligible and Study Contact	Payment, Number of Visits
PTSD	IMPACT - PTSD Help us learn about Veterans with PTSD and the stimulant medication methylphenidate (Ritalin).	Test the benefit of methylphenidate (Ritalin) for a) PTSD symptoms and b) cognitive symptoms The goal of this study is to understand if the stimulant medication methylphenidate is helpful for Veterans with PTSD who are experiencing problems with attention, memory or other aspects of cognitive functioning.	VETERANS with PTSD Veterans with PTSD and subjective cognitive symptoms (objective impairment not required) Veterans age 18-65 PTSD and Self-reported cognitive impairment NO history of: Bipolar 1, psychotic disorder Severe TBI Any stimulant abuse or moderate/severe SUD w/in 6mo For more information: Call (206) 475-9668 or (206) 768-5259. https://tinyurl.com/SeattleIMPACTstudy	Up to $940 Up to 23 visits, most virtual (VVC and/or telephone) but some on-site, over approximately 5 months.
TBI and Sleep Disruption	GLIMPSE-TBI Defining the Role of Post-TBI Sleep Disruption in the Development of CTE and AD-Related Neuropathology	The TBI study seeks to learn how mTBI, as a result of blast trauma, may disrupt the sleep-wake cycle which can lead to an increased risk of the development of CTE and Alzeheimer’s related disease. The research involves procedures at VA Puget Sound and the University of Washington, as well as tasks you  can do at home. Participants will take part in procedures right after joining the study and again three years later.	VETERANS with mTBI Veterans age 45 and older who were deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan, and have had at least one combat deployment-related blast exposure. History of mTBI due to blast trauma No serious medical illness No history of COVID infection requiring hospitalization and/or symptoms of long COVID For more information: Call (206) 277-3843 (206) 277-5566 or 1-800-329-8387 ext. 65566	Participants will receive up to $350/year ($700 total) in appreciation for their time and inconvenience.  Collection of blood and urine Medical and psychiatric questions Cognitive and behavioral assessments A brain scan (MRI) Lumbar puncture At-home sleep studies
PTSD	BRIGHT (Biomarkers in the retina for prognosticating mental health treatments)	Piloting the use of a noninvasive electroretinogram biomarker to predict treatment response to SSRIs in PTSD	Veterans with PTSD Veterans age 21-75 Currently symptoms of PTSD (formal diagnosis not required) NO current prescription of SSRIs, SNRIs, or any other serotonergic drug NO bipolar disorder type 1, psychosis, or dementia. To Refer:  (1) Document Veteran willing to be contacted by study staff in CPRS & notify Aaron Rosser -OR-  (2) Veteran can call 206-277-5053 -OR- (3) Veteran can complete prescreen at https://Tinyurl.com/BRIGHTstudy Contact: Aaron Rosser 206-277-5053 Aaron.Rosser@va.gov	Up to $200 Initial portion of the study includes 2-3 VVC visits plus 2 in person visits (can be condensed into 1 day-long visit if necessary). Eligible veterans will be invited back for follow up study (2-3 VVC visits plus 1 in person visit)

NW MIRECC research studies may feature the following kinds of activities;

• Questionnaires, interviews, or assessments of physical and mental health
• Blood draws
• Talk therapies, which may include psychotherapy or cognitive rehabilitation interventions
• 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) 
• Prescriptions for prazosin, a medication that may be useful for a number of conditions
• Wearing wristwatches or other devices that track physical activity or sleep patterns

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1. Veterans with a service-connected (SC) disability rated at 50% or more.
2. Veterans seeking care for a disability the military determined was incurred or aggravated in the line of duty, but which VA has not yet rated, within 12 months of discharge.
3. Veterans seeking care for a SC disability only or under a special treatment authority.
4. Veterans seeking health registry examinations. VA’s health registry evaluation is a free, voluntary medical assessment for Veterans who may have been exposed to certain environmental hazards during military service. The evaluations alert Veterans to possible long-term health problems that may be related to exposure to specific environmental hazards during their military service. VA has established several health registries to track and monitor the health of specific groups of Veterans. You may be eligible to participate in one or more of these health registries: Agent Orange Registry, Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry, Gulf War Registry (includes Operations Iraqi Freedom and New Dawn), Ionizing Radiation Registry, Depleted Uranium Follow-Up Program, and Toxic Embedded Fragment Surveillance Center. Use the chart below to help determine your eligibility.

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The MISSION Act became law in 2018, bringing the VA’s previous Veterans Choice Program to an end and establishing the Community Care Program. VA provides health care for Veterans from providers in your local community outside of VA. Veterans may be eligible to receive care from a community provider when VA cannot provide the care needed. This care is provided on behalf of and paid for by VA. Community care is also available to Veterans based on certain conditions and eligibility requirements, and in consideration of a Veteran’s specific needs and circumstances. VA offers urgent care services to eligible Veterans at in-network urgent care clinics to treat minor injuries and illnesses that are not life-threatening, such as colds, strep throat, sprained muscles, and skin and ear infections. Community care must be first authorized by VA before a Veteran can receive care from a community provider.

Vet Centers in VISN 20

Vet Centers in VISN 20 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 Corp, Air Force, Space Force, and Coast Guard service members, including National Guard and Reserve components, and their families. 1-877-927-8387 is an around the clock confidential call center where combat Veterans and their families can call to talk about their military experience or any other issue they are facing in their readjustment to civilian life. The staff is comprised of combat Veterans from several eras as well as families members of combat Veterans. This benefit is prepaid through the Veteran’s military service.

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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. We are a self-sustaining entity providing merchandise and services to Veterans enrolled in VA’s healthcare system, their families, caregivers, VA employees, volunteers and visitors. We are honored to give back to the VA community through many programs established for the health and well-being of our nation’s heroes. Revenues generated from VCS are used to support a variety of programs, such as VA’s Rehabilitation Games, Fisher Houses, Poly-Trauma Centers for OIF/OEF/OND Veterans, disaster relief efforts, Substance Abuse Cessation, VA’s Homelessness initiatives, Women Veterans, Veteran Suicide Prevention and other activities.

Hospital Service Directory

To find out whether there is a van near you use the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Hospital Service Coordinator Directory to contact your nearest HSC for information or assistance. Please remember that the DAV Transportation Network is staffed by volunteers; therefore, it is unable to cover every community. The vans are driven by volunteers, and the rides coordinated by more than 133 Hospital Service Coordinators around the country. Our nation’s heroes travel around the globe to protect our freedoms—it’s only right that we return their dedication. Volunteering to drive a Vet ensures that even those living remotely from VA hospitals can make their appointments and never go without the treatment they need. Learn more about the DAV transportation network through the VISN 20 NewsFlash Resources section.

Today's VHA - the largest of the three administrations that comprise the VA - continues to meet Veterans' changing medical, surgical, and quality-of-life needs. VHA is the largest integrated health care system in the United States, providing care at 1,321 health care facilities, including 172 VA Medical Centers and 1,138 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics) to over 9 million Veterans enrolled in the VA health care program. There are 18 Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISNs) in VHA operating as regional systems of care to better meet local health care needs and provides greater access to care. In the Pacific Northwest, VISN 20 serves Veterans in Alaska, Oregon, Washington, most of Idaho, and one county each in California and Montana. Spanning 23% of the US land mass, VISN 20 is the largest geographic region of VA. Operating across three time zones over 817,417 square miles, VISN 20 is home to 273 federally recognized American Indian and Alaskan Native tribes. According to DoD, American Indians and Alaska Natives have one of the highest representations in the United States Armed Forces. VA consults with American Indian and Alaska Native tribal governments to develop partnerships that enhance access to services and benefits by Veterans and their families. VA is committed to ensuring that Native American Veterans and their families are able to utilize all benefits and services they are entitled to receive. As of the end of FY2024, 39% of VISN 20 enrollees resided in rural or highly rural areas.

VA Puget Sound Health Care System (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. Veterans Medical Centers are also located in Spokane, Vancouver, and Walla Walla. VA Outpatient Clinics and Vet Centers are located in Bellingham, Bellevue, Bremerton, Edmunds, Everett, Federal Way, Lacey, Mount Vernon, Olympia, Port Angeles, Puyallup, Richland, Renton, Silverdale, Seattle, Spokane, Union Gap, Vancouver, Walla Walla, Wenatchee, and Yakima.

VA Portland Health Care System (VAPORHCS) serves Veterans in Oregon and Southwest Washington with two main divisions: Portland VA Medical Center and Vancouver VA Medical Center. Veterans Medical Centers are also located in Roseburg, White City, and Vancouver, Washington. VA Outpatient Clinics and Vet Centers are located in Astoria, Bend, Boardman, Brookings, Eugene, Fairview, Grants Pass, Hines, Hillsboro, Klamath Falls, LaGrande, Lincoln City, Newport, Portland, Salem, The Dalles, and West Linn.

• VISN 1: VA New England Healthcare System
• VISN 2: New York/New Jersey VA Health Care Network
• VISN 4: VA Healthcare - VISN 4
• VISN 5: VA Capitol Health Care Network
• VISN 6: VA Mid-Atlantic Health Care Network
• VISN 7: VA Southeast Network
• VISN 8: VA Sunshine Healthcare Network
• VISN 9: VA MidSouth Healthcare Network
• VISN 10: VA Healthcare System
• VISN 12: VA Great Lakes Health Care System
• VISN 15: VA Heartland Network
• VISN 16: South Central VA Health Care Network
• VISN 17: VA Heart of Texas Health Care Network
• VISN 19: Rocky Mountain Network
• VISN 20: Northwest Network
• VISN 21: Sierra Pacific Network
• VISN 22: Desert Pacific Healthcare Network
• VISN 23: VA Midwest Health Care Network