Finding genes linked to suicide risk in Veterans using brain tissue and VA health data
Official title: Bidirectional validation of loci associated with suicide risk using the Million Veteran Data and postmortem human brain
Funded at James J Peters VA Medical Center · NIH-11171474 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This work looks for genetic and brain-cell changes tied to suicide risk in Veterans to help identify those who may need extra support.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | James J Peters VA Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Bronx, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2024 |
| Project end | September 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| NIH project number | 5I01BX006069-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11171474 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Veterans enrolled in the Million Veteran Program—especially those with a history of suicidal thoughts or behaviors—are the primary group who could take part or benefit from the findings.
✕Less likely to help
People who are not Veterans or are not enrolled in the Million Veteran Program and those without available genetic or clinical records are unlikely to be able to participate or directly benefit.
What this research studies
You will hear about research that compares genetic information from Veterans in the Million Veteran Program with gene activity in donated postmortem brain tissue from people who died by suicide. The team will focus on immune-related brain cells (microglia and oligodendrocytes) and measure DNA marks, gene expression, and inflammatory signals in white matter. They will link those tissue findings to genetic variants and health records from VA participants to confirm which genes are associated with suicidal behavior. The combined approach aims to validate signals in both brain tissue and living Veteran data so findings are more likely to be relevant to patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could point to blood or genetic markers that help clinicians spot Veterans at higher risk for suicide so they can offer earlier help.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have found immune and gene-expression differences linked to suicide, so this builds on promising work but the specific bidirectional genetic/brain validation approach is still exploratory.
Where this research is happening
-
James J Peters VA Medical Center
Bronx, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Haghighi, Fatemeh G — James J Peters VA Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Haghighi, Fatemeh G
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.