Improving brain health and caregiver support for Veterans with complex conditions
Official title: Research Career Scientist (RCS) Award Renewal
Funded at VA Salt Lake City Healthcare System · NIH-11320870 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking to help Veterans who have had traumatic brain injuries and related issues like epilepsy and dementia by finding better ways to treat them and support their caregivers.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | VA Salt Lake City Healthcare System NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Salt Lake City, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2018 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| NIH project number | 5IK6HX003762-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11320870 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include Veterans with traumatic brain injuries, epilepsy, dementia, or other complex comorbidities.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without a history of traumatic brain injury or related neurological conditions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding and improving the health of Veterans who have experienced traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and related conditions such as epilepsy and dementia. It utilizes advanced data analysis techniques to identify patterns of comorbidity, which can help tailor treatments to individual patients. Additionally, the research examines the challenges faced by caregivers of these Veterans, aiming to enhance support systems for them. By leveraging extensive health data from the VA, the project seeks to inform clinical practices and policies that directly impact patient care.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatments for Veterans with brain injuries and better support for their caregivers.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in using health data to improve treatment outcomes for Veterans with brain injuries, indicating a promising approach.
Where this research is happening
-
VA Salt Lake City Healthcare System
Salt Lake City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Pugh, Mary Jo — VA Salt Lake City Healthcare System
- Study coordinator: Pugh, Mary Jo
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Long-term COVID-19 effects in older Veterans and a rehabilitation approach
This project looks at how COVID-19 affects blood vessel health in older Veterans and tests a rehab strategy together with a mitochondria-targeted antioxidant to help recovery.
-
Knee-extensor Training to Improve Muscle Blood Flow and Endurance in Veterans with HFpEF
A study at VA Salt Lake City will test whether targeted knee-extensor training can improve leg blood flow and exercise tolerance in veterans with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.
-
Screening above-elbow amputees for advanced prosthetic devices
This project looks at how people with above-elbow amputations use and respond to osseointegrated prosthetics compared with traditional socket devices.
-
Special implant coatings to help skin seal around implants and make them last longer
Special fluorapatite surface coatings aim to help skin grow and stay attached around devices like dental implants, hearing aids, and bone-anchored prosthetic limbs for amputees.
-
How COVID changed trust in VA care for Black and Latinx veterans
This project looks at how the COVID-19 pandemic affected Black and Latinx veterans' trust in and experiences with VA healthcare.
-
Exercise training for people with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF)
This project tests whether blocking specific muscle nerve signals with a spinal fentanyl injection changes circulation, muscle fatigue, and exercise ability in people with HFpEF compared with healthy controls.
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.