How genes and life experiences affect suicide risk in Veterans
Official title: A Gene-by-Environment Genome-Wide Interaction Study (GEWIS) of Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors in Veterans
Funded at Durham VA Medical Center · NIH-11212825 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at how a Veteran's genes and life experiences combine to influence suicidal thoughts and behaviors.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Durham VA Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project start | October 1, 2022 |
| Project end | September 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| NIH project number | 5I01BX005881-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11212825 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are U.S. Veterans with available genetic data or who can provide DNA and linked health information, especially those with a history of suicidal thoughts, PTSD, depression, or related conditions like borderline personality disorder.
✕Less likely to help
People who are not Veterans or who cannot or do not want to share genetic or health information would not be eligible and are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.
What this research studies
If you're a Veteran, researchers will combine DNA information with health records and survey answers about things like trauma, PTSD, depression, and sleep to see how genes and life events interact. The team uses large-scale genome scans across many Veterans (including data from the Million Veteran Program) and statistical models that search for gene-by-environment effects. This work analyzes existing genetic and clinical data rather than testing new treatments, with the goal of finding biological pathways linked to suicide risk.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help identify Veterans at higher risk and point to targets for better prevention and treatments.
How similar studies have gone: Previous large genetic studies in Veterans and civilian groups have found genetic links to suicide attempts, but combining gene-by-environment analyses is newer and less established.
Where this research is happening
-
Durham VA Medical Center
Durham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kimbrel, Nathan a. — Durham VA Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Kimbrel, Nathan a.
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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.