Investigating the genetic and environmental factors influencing suicidal thoughts and behaviors 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-10950324 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how both genes and life experiences affect suicidal thoughts and behaviors in Veterans, with the goal of finding ways to better support those at risk.
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 | 2025 |
| NIH project number | 5I01BX005881-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10950324 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include Veterans experiencing suicidal thoughts or behaviors, particularly those with a history of PTSD, depression, or chronic pain.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not Veterans or do not have a history of suicidal thoughts or behaviors may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research explores how genetic factors and environmental influences contribute to suicidal thoughts and behaviors among Veterans. By analyzing data from over 400,000 Veterans, the study aims to identify specific genetic markers associated with suicide risk and examine various environmental factors such as PTSD, depression, and chronic pain. The approach includes genome-wide association studies (GWAS) to uncover significant genetic loci and pathway analyses to understand the biological mechanisms involved. This comprehensive investigation seeks to provide insights that could lead to better prevention strategies for Veterans at risk of suicide.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved identification and prevention strategies for Veterans at risk of suicide.
How similar studies have gone: Previous genome-wide association studies have shown success in identifying genetic factors related to suicidal behaviors, indicating that this approach has potential for meaningful findings.
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.
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.