NIH-funded research NIH-funded research

Exploring the link between PTSD and autoimmune diseases in veterans.

Official title: PTSD and Autoimmune Disease: Towards Causal Effects, Risk Factors, and Mitigators

Funded at Veterans Affairs Med Ctr San Francisco · NIH-10886587 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is looking at how posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) might be linked to autoimmune diseases in veterans, especially to help understand the risks and differences among various racial and ethnic groups, with the goal of improving health for those affected.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionVeterans Affairs Med Ctr San Francisco
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (San Francisco, United States)
Project startJuly 1, 2023
Project endJune 30, 2028
Funding year2024
NIH project number5IK2CX002627-02
Project IDNIH-10886587 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for this research are veterans diagnosed with PTSD, particularly those who may also be at risk for autoimmune diseases.

Less likely to help

Patients without a diagnosis of PTSD or those who do not have any autoimmune conditions may not benefit from this research.

What this research studies

This research investigates the relationship between posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and autoimmune diseases, particularly in veterans. It aims to identify causal effects, risk factors, and potential mitigators by utilizing advanced statistical methods to analyze observational data. The study will explore how PTSD may contribute to the development of over 80 different autoimmune conditions, focusing on health disparities among various racial and ethnic groups. By understanding these connections, the research seeks to provide insights that could lead to improved health outcomes for affected individuals.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better prevention and treatment strategies for veterans suffering from PTSD and related autoimmune diseases.

How similar studies have gone: While there has been some research linking PTSD to specific autoimmune conditions, this study aims to expand the understanding of these connections in a more comprehensive and diverse population, making it a novel approach.

Where this research is happening

  • Veterans Affairs Med Ctr San Francisco
    San Francisco, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Nishimi, Kristen Marie — Veterans Affairs Med Ctr San Francisco
  • Study coordinator: Nishimi, Kristen Marie

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

  • PTSD and Autoimmune Diseases: How PTSD Might Cause or Change Risk and What Might Help

    This project looks at whether PTSD in Veterans affects the risk of autoimmune diseases and whether there are factors that influence that risk.

    NIH research Veterans Affairs Med Ctr San Francisco · San Francisco, United States · NIH-11538983

  • Understanding how sleep issues can lead to PTSD after trauma

    This study is looking at how sleep problems after a traumatic event might lead to PTSD, and it's for anyone who has experienced trauma and wants to understand why some people struggle more with sleep than others, so we can find better ways to help them early on.

    NIH research Henry Ford Health + Michigan State University Health Sciences · East Lansing, United States · NIH-11089450

  • IOP and CSF Pressure in Glaucoma Risk

    This grant studies how eye pressure and cerebrospinal fluid pressure together influence glaucoma risk and vision loss.

    NIH research University of Alabama at Birmingham · Birmingham, United States · NIH-11644421

  • ALS risk factors in a long-term ALS study

    A long-term ALS study is looking at which factors may influence disease risk and progression in people living with ALS.

    NIH research Als Therapy Development Foundation · Watertown, United States · NIH-11631679

  • Understanding how work exposures and genes influence ALS risk

    A study is building a long-term group of people at higher risk for ALS to see how their jobs, exposures at work, and genes together affect if and when the disease might develop.

    NIH research University of Michigan at Ann Arbor · Ann Arbor, United States · NIH-11631673

  • Understanding how PTSD affects self-control and brain function

    Researchers are studying how PTSD changes the brain’s control over thoughts and actions, and how this might affect Veterans’ daily lives and responses to treatment.

    NIH research VA Boston Health Care System · Boston, United States · NIH-11617299

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.