MIRECC / CoE
PTSD/TBI Research | Northwest Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center
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. Every year, thousands of research studies are conducted at VA medical centers, outpatient clinics, and nursing homes. NW MIRECC conducts research that seeks new ways to diagnose, treat, and prevent the following conditions in Veterans;
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI), which is also called a concussion
- Chronic pain (post-concussive headaches) or other conditions that might start after an mTBI
- Gulf War Illness
- Drug abuse and dependence
- Dementia and neurodegeneration, including mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD)
- Pandemic stress
NW MIRECC research studies at VA Puget Sound Health Care System and American Lake VA Medical Center are currently enrolling Military Veterans, First Responders, Health Care workers, and Civilians who are willing to participate. 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. For other mental health services, contact a VA medical center for information on eligibility and treatment options. For information about specific research, please contact the number listed on the research study.
Topic |
Research Study |
What is the study about? |
Who can volunteer? |
Downloadable Flyer |
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and Sleep Disruption |
GLIMPSE-TBI Defining the Role of Post-TBI Sleep Disruption in the Development of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) and Alzheimer’s Disease-Related Neuropathology |
The Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) study seeks to learn how Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI), as a result of blast trauma, may disrupt the sleep-wake cycle which can lead to an increased risk of the development of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) and Alzeheimer’s related disease. |
VETERANS with Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI) Veterans age 45 and older who were deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan, and have had at least one combat deployment-related blast exposure. For more information: |
Download Flyer |
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder |
PREDICT Noradrenergic Biomarkers in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: 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 Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). For technical details about PREDICT: https://reporter.nih.gov/ project-details/9707586 |
VETERANS with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Veterans age 21 to 75 with PTSD For more information: Call 206-768-5259 or 1-800-329-8387 ext 65259 |
Download Flyer |
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Cannabis |
ReCOUP Pilot Study to Assess the Feasibility of Prazosin for Cannabis Use Disorder in Individuals with or without Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (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 For more information: |
Download Flyer |
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) |
PoND 1 Prazosin and Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) Biomarkers in Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI) |
Trauma may lead to a buildup of harmful proteins in Cerebrospinal Fluid (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 Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) | Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI) For more information: |
Download Flyer |
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) |
TBI Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI) and Biomarkers of Neurodegeneration |
The Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) study seeks to learn whether the blast trauma that causes Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (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 Traumatic Brain Injury: https://reporter.nih.gov/ project-details/9966780 |
VETERANS with Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI) | NO mTBI For more information: |
Download Flyer |
Traumatic Brain Injury (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 Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI) For more information: |
Download Flyer |
Dementia |
PoND 2 Prazosin and Cerebrospinal Fluid (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 Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) For more information: |
Download 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 who have not had COVID-19 and who have had COVID-19 Ages 21-65, regardless of COVID history For more information: |
Download Flyer |
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
