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. The VA Northwest Health Network (VISN 20) 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. 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, Downloadable Flyer |
PTSD |
IMPACT - PTSD
Help us learn about Veterans with PTSD and the stimulant medication methylphenidate (Ritalin). |
Test the benefit of methylphenidate (Ritalin) for 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 PTSDVeterans with PTSD and subjective cognitive symptoms (objective impairment not required)
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. Download Flyer |
TBI and Sleep Disruption |
GLIMPSE-TBIDefining 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 |
VETERANS with mTBIVeterans 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: |
Participants will receive up to $350/year ($700 total) in appreciation for their time and inconvenience.
Download Flyer |
PTSD |
PREDICTNoradrenergic 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. The medication prazosin may work better for some people than for others. In this study, we will measure your personal response to prazosin. This may help us learn how other Veterans may respond to this medication |
VETERANS with PTSDVeterans age 21 to 75 with PTSD who are willing to participate in a research study. For more information: |
Volunteers will receive up to $700 for completing the study.
|
PTSD and Cannabis |
ReCOUPPilot Study to Assess the Feasibility of Prazosin for Cannabis Use Disorder in Individuals with or without PTSD
|
The Reducing Cannabis Overuse With Prazosin (ReCOUP) study seeks to learn whether the medication prazosin can help people reduce or stop their use of cannabis. Assess the feasibility of recruitment and retention of participants for a clinical trial using prazosin as a treatment of CUD. |
VETERANS | CIVILIANS with CANNABIS USEVeterans and Civilians age 18 to 80 who use cannabis
For more information: |
Researchers at VA Puget Sound are conducting the ReCOUP study to learn if an investigational drug, prazosin, can help both those with and without PTSD in managing cannabis use. |
Long COVID |
RECOVERHelp 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. Persistent symptoms have been reported by many people who received a positive test for COVID-19, even those who did not experience severe illness. There may be multiple causes for these long-term symptoms. We are conducting a study to better understand the patterns of persistent symptoms following a COVID-19 diagnosis and to learn whether changes in your body's stress response system are a part of what is causing these symptoms. |
VETERANS | CIVILIANS who have not had COVID-19 and who have had COVID-19Ages 21-65, regardless of COVID history If you are experiencing symptoms like fatigue, palpitations, fast heart rate, muscle and joint pain, headaches, or digestive problems, you may be asked if you would like to participate in a longer study with monthly surveys. For more information: |
If you choose to participate, you will be asked to complete a 30 to 60 minute online questionnaire and brief online cognitive assessment. Download Flyer |
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
Sign up for email updates or access your subscriber preferences: https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/USVHAVISN20/subscriber/new.
Use of these Materials and Finding VA Health Care
Please note that the health care information provided in these materials is for educational purposes only. It does not replace the role of a medical practitioner for advice on care and treatment. If you are looking for professional medical care, find your local VA healthcare center by using the VA Facilities Locator & Directory. This page may contain links that will take you outside of the Department of Veterans Affairs website. VA does not endorse and is not responsible for the content of the linked websites.
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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. Spanning 23% of the US land mass, VISN 20 is the largest geographic region of VA. In the Pacific Northwest, VISN 20 serves Veterans in 135 counties in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. Operating across three time zones over 817,417 square miles, VISN 20 is home to 273 federally recognized American Indian and Alaskan Native tribes. VISN 20 also serves Veterans in Del Norte and Siskiyou counties of California and Lincoln County Montana.
Veterans may be eligible to receive care from a community provider when VA cannot provide the care needed. Veterans Community Care Program (VCCP) provides health care for Veterans from providers in the local community. VCCP includes General Community Care, Urgent Care, Emergency Care, Foreign Medical Care, Home Health and Hospice Care, Indian and Tribal Health Services, In Vitro Fertilization, State Veterans Home, and Flu Shots.
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, Chehalis, 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, Enterprise, Eugene, Fairview, Grants Pass, Hines, Hillsboro, Klamath Falls, LaGrande, Lincoln City, Newport, Portland, Salem, The Dalles, and West Linn.
VA Regional Offices
The Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) helps service members transition out of military service, and assists with Veterans with education, home loans, life insurance and much more. Service members, Veterans, their families, and Survivors are invited to request information on VA Benefits including disability compensation, pension, fiduciary, education, Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E), Home Loans, and Insurance. In addition to information on VA Benefits Veterans may initiate an intent to file and request assistance with filing compensation and pension claims. Visit regional office websites to learn about the services the regional office provides, directions to the facility, hours of operation, and the leadership team that serves the regional office.
Find out if you can get VA health care as a Veteran
The following four categories of Veterans are not required to enroll but are urged to do so to permit better planning of health resources:
- Veterans with a service-connected (SC) disability rated at 50% or more.
- 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.
- Veterans seeking care for a SC disability only or under a special treatment authority.
- Veterans seeking registry examinations (ionizing radiation, Agent Orange, Gulf War/Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation New Dawn (OEF/OIF/OND) depleted uranium, airborne hazards, and Open Burn Pit Registry).
Find out how to apply for VA health care benefits as a Veteran or service member. For other mental health services, contact a VA medical center for information on eligibility and treatment options.
Vet Centers in VISN 20
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-WAR-VETS is an 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.
| Anchorage Vet Center (Anchorage, AK) |
| Bellingham Vet Center (Bellingham, WA) |
| Boise Vet Center (Boise, ID) |
| Central Oregon Vet Center (Bend, OR) |
| Eugene Vet Center (Eugene, OR) |
| Everett Vet Center (Everett, WA) |
| Fairbanks Vet Center (Fairbanks, AK) |
| Federal Way Vet Center (Federal Way, WA) |
| Grants Pass Vet Center (Grants Pass, OR) |
| Kenai Vet Center Outstation (Soldotna, AK) |
| Lacey Vet Center Outstation (Lacey, WA) |
| Portland, OR Vet Center (Portland, OR) |
| Salem Vet Center (Salem, OR) |
| Seattle Vet Center (Seattle, WA) |
| Spokane Vet Center (Spokane, WA) |
| Tacoma Vet Center (Tacoma, WA) |
| Walla Walla Vet Center (Walla Walla, WA) |
| Wasilla Vet Center (Wasilla, AK) |
| Yakima Valley Vet Center (Yakima, WA) |
Plan your trip to VA
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.
VCS operates over 200 Patriot Stores in Veterans Administration (VA) Medical Centers nationwide. Many of our stores have been recently updated and expanded to provide our customers with a modern, clean and comfortable shopping experience. Our stores welcome our customers with wider aisles, wood-like floors, enhanced lighting and directional signage. PatriotStores have expanded hours of operation to provide service for customers on weekends at most locations.
The Patriot Cafe is the best place in the VA Medical Center to enjoy delicious, freshly prepared breakfast or lunch served hot or cold each weekday. Providing Veterans, their families, VA employees, volunteers and visitors a place to relax and enjoy a meal or take-out for their convenience. With a wide variety of food from traditional comfort food, specialized menu selections and a large assortment of healthy choices; there is something for everyone's taste buds.
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.
