NIH-funded research NIH-funded research

A new approach to help veterans with anxiety and depression feel better and function more normally

Official title: A New Intervention to Improve Function in Veterans with Anxiety and Depression

Funded at Durham VA Medical Center · NIH-11310820 · Data updated 2026-11-12

A new intervention using pregnenolone to help veterans with anxiety and depression reduce symptoms and improve daily function.

More Depression research and trials

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionDurham VA Medical Center
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Durham, United States)
Project startApril 1, 2024
Project endMarch 31, 2028
Funding year2026
NIH project number5I01RX004287-03
Project IDNIH-11310820 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Veterans with anxiety and depression who may have co-occurring symptoms such as sleep disturbance or pain.

Less likely to help

Individuals without these conditions or those unlikely to respond to neurosteroid-based treatment may not benefit.

What this research studies

This grant focuses on a treatment that could help veterans who experience both anxiety and depression. It builds on prior work suggesting pregnenolone and related neurosteroids may ease worry, sadness, sleep problems, and pain. The study considers how restoring neurosteroid levels might translate into real-world improvements in daily activities, relationships, and quality of life. If successful, it could offer a new option that targets multiple symptoms at once. The research team at Durham VA Medical Center will pursue this approach with careful attention to safety and effectiveness in the veteran population.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, patients could experience reduced anxiety and depressive symptoms and better function in daily life.

How similar studies have gone: Prior studies suggest neurosteroids like pregnenolone may help with anxiety, depression, sleep, and pain, supporting potential benefit in this population.

Where this research is happening

  • Durham VA Medical Center
    Durham, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Naylor, Jennifer C — Durham VA Medical Center
  • Study coordinator: Naylor, Jennifer C

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.