Investigating the gut microbiome's role in liver disease and PTSD among US Veterans
Official title: BCCMA: Targeting Gut Microbiome in Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases in US Veterans; CMA4: At the Crossroads of the Gut Microbiome, Cirrhosis, and PTSD
Funded at VA Veterans Administration Hospital · NIH-10975928 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how PTSD might impact the health of veterans' livers and gut bacteria, hoping to find new ways to help improve their overall health by understanding the connections between these areas.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | VA Veterans Administration Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Richmond, United States) |
| Project start | October 1, 2022 |
| Project end | September 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| NIH project number | 5I01CX002472-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10975928 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are US Veterans diagnosed with both PTSD and liver cirrhosis.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without PTSD or liver cirrhosis may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding how post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) affects liver health and gut microbiome in US Veterans. It examines the connections between PTSD, liver cirrhosis, and cognitive dysfunction, exploring how changes in gut bacteria and inflammation may influence these conditions. By analyzing stool samples and other biological markers, the study aims to uncover the underlying mechanisms linking gut health to brain function and liver disease. The findings could lead to new treatment strategies that target the gut microbiome to improve health outcomes for affected Veterans.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to innovative therapies that improve cognitive function and liver health in Veterans suffering from PTSD and cirrhosis.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown promising results in understanding the gut-brain-liver axis, indicating potential for success in this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
VA Veterans Administration Hospital
Richmond, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bajaj, Jasmohan S — VA Veterans Administration Hospital
- Study coordinator: Bajaj, Jasmohan S
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Gut health and PTSD in veterans with inflammatory bowel disease
A study explores how the gut microbiome and chronic stress from military experiences may influence inflammatory bowel disease in veterans.
-
Understanding Gut Health in Veterans with Deployment-Related GI and Liver Conditions
This project explores how the gut microbiome and PTSD might be connected to inflammatory bowel disease and other digestive issues in Veterans.
-
Investigating the gut microbiome's role in gastrointestinal and liver diseases in veterans with PTSD.
This study is looking at how the bacteria in your gut might affect stomach and liver problems in veterans, especially those with PTSD, and it invites you to share your gut health samples to help us understand these connections better.
-
Gut microbes and diarrhea risk in Gulf War veterans
This project looks at whether changes in gut microbes explain why Gulf War and other deployed veterans get frequent diarrhea and related gut problems.
-
Gut microbiome, fiber, and short-chain fatty acids in Veterans with Gulf War Illness
This project tests whether Veterans with Gulf War Illness who have gut problems have lower levels of helpful gut bacteria and short-chain fatty acids, and whether eating more fiber relates to fewer digestive symptoms.
-
Understanding how gut bacteria affect gastrointestinal diseases in veterans.
This study is looking at how the bacteria in the gut might affect stomach and liver problems in veterans, especially those with Gulf War Illness, to find new ways to help improve their health and ease symptoms like diarrhea and inflammatory bowel diseases.
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.