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MIRECC / CoE

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Research

Research

VA Mid-Atlantic MIRECC

The VA Mid-Atlantic MIRECC conducts multidisciplinary, multi-site research to better understand, prevent, and treat post-deployment mental health conditions among Veterans.

Participate in research Meet our investigators
1,000+Peer-reviewed publications
50+Active studies
4VA medical center sites
20+Years of research

From discovery to care

Our Center continues to make significant contributions to the field of post-deployment mental health. Our investigators work across research, education, and clinical domains to move findings from scientific discovery toward practical improvements in Veteran-centered care.

VA Mid-Atlantic MIRECC Post-Deployment Mental Health Study

The VA Mid-Atlantic MIRECC Post-Deployment Mental Health Study is a major ongoing research effort focused on understanding the long-term mental health, cognitive, biological, and functional outcomes of Veterans following military deployment. The study represents the largest biorepository of post-9/11 Veterans to date and has greatly expanded the understanding of the unique needs of post-9/11 Veterans. By collecting comprehensive clinical, biological, neurocognitive, and health information over time, the study helps investigators identify risk and resilience factors, improve assessment, and develop more effective approaches to prevention and treatment.

Communities of Research (CoRs)

Our research is conducted through eight specialized Communities of Research (CoRs), which function as interconnected ecosystems composed of investigators with complementary expertise and methodological approaches to foster discussions that support innovative post-deployment mental health research. By integrating these methodological approaches, our Center brings both breadth and depth to the study of post-deployment mental health, accelerating discovery while strengthening real-world clinical impact.

Genetics
Our genetics investigators are examining the biological underpinnings of post-deployment mental health conditions, examining how genetic and epigenetic variation influences vulnerability and resilience to post-deployment mental conditions including PTSD, depression, substance use disorders, and suicide risk.
Health Services
Our team of health services researchers examine how mental health care is delivered, accessed, and experienced by Veterans — with a focus on improving care quality, reducing disparities, and implementing evidence-based treatments into real-world practice.
Interventions
Our team of clinical scientists develop, test, and refine evidence-based psychological and behavioral treatments for post-deployment mental health conditions — including clinical trials of therapies for PTSD, substance misuse, anger, self-directed violence, and comorbid disorders. We are also evaluating pharmacological treatments and innovative emerging neurobiological interventions to treat post-deployment mental health conditions.
Metabolomics
Our metabolomics research team analyzes metabolic profiles in Veterans to identify biomarkers associated with PTSD, TBI, and related conditions — advancing our understanding of how the body's biochemistry is altered by combat stress and informing personalized treatment approaches.
Neuroimaging
Our neuroimaging research group uses advanced brain imaging techniques — including structural and functional MRI — to identify neural signatures of PTSD, TBI, and other post-deployment conditions, informing both diagnosis and treatment development.
Neuropsychology
Our team of neuroscientists and clinical neuropsychologists study the effects of post-deployment mental health conditions (e.g., mTBI) and related exposures (e.g., blast exposure, blunt force injuries) on cognition, attention, memory, decision-making, and brain functioning to improve assessment, treatment, and functional outcomes for Veterans.
Neuroscience
The neuroscience research team develops and refines pre-clinical models underlying post-deployment mental health disorders including TBI and substance abuse with the goal of identifying the complex cellular and molecular mechanisms of brain dysfunction.
Patient-Reported Outcomes & Measurement
Our patient-reported outcomes and measurement research team develops, validates, and deploys rigorous tools to capture Veteran experience — and builds longitudinal infrastructure to track outcomes over time across all MIRECC research.
Rehabilitation
Our rehabilitation research team focuses on developing and evaluating interventions that restore functioning and improve quality of life for Veterans living with post-deployment mental health conditions and related disabilities.

Shaping national standards of care

The impact of VA Mid-Atlantic MIRECC research extends beyond our scientific publications. Our investigators have been called upon to serve as subject matter experts on national VA and DoD Clinical Practice Guideline workgroups — including guidelines for PTSD, TBI, insomnia and sleep disorders, and other post-deployment mental health conditions. These guidelines shape how clinicians across the VA and DoD assess and treat Veterans nationwide, translating MIRECC science into direct improvements in care at scale.

PTSD
VA/DoD Clinical Practice Guideline for the Management of PTSD and Acute Stress Reaction
TBI
VA/DoD Clinical Practice Guideline for the Management of Concussion-Mild Traumatic Brain Injury
Insomnia & Sleep Disorders
VA/DoD Clinical Practice Guideline for the Management of Chronic Insomnia Disorder and Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Tobacco Use Treatment
VA/DoD Clinical Practice Guideline for the Management of Tobacco Use

Collaborate with us

We welcome collaborations with VA and academic investigators and clinicians who share our commitment to improving Veteran mental health. Whether you are interested in a research fellowship, co-developing new research, or exploring data sharing opportunities, we encourage you to reach out.

Meet our investigators Explore fellowship programs
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