Traumatic Brain Injury and Stress Disorders Center for Translational Research
Official title: Translational Research Center for Traumatic Brain Injury and Stress Disorders (TRACTS)
Funded at VA Boston Health Care System · NIH-11308700 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A VA research center is continuing its work to better understand traumatic brain injury and deployment-related stress to improve care for veterans.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | VA Boston Health Care System NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2019 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| NIH project number | 5I50RX003001-08 |
| Project ID | NIH-11308700 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Veterans and other patients who have experienced traumatic brain injury or deployment-related stress who can participate in observational and biomarker studies.
✕Less likely to help
Some participants may not directly benefit from the findings if they do not have TBI or deployment-related stress.
What this research studies
This program brings together clinical and biological studies to map how brain injuries and stress affect veterans over time. Researchers will collect detailed clinical data, biomarkers, genetics, and brain imaging to describe how TBI and deployment stress unfold across the lifespan. The goal is to translate these insights into better treatments and support for veterans and others served by the VA system. The center builds on a long-running network that collaborates across major VA hospitals to share findings and accelerate improvements in care.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to more precise diagnoses and personalized treatments for TBI and stress disorders.
How similar studies have gone: Previous TRACTS work has yielded important insights into TBI and stress disorders, with ongoing translational applications.
Where this research is happening
-
VA Boston Health Care System
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Milberg, William P — VA Boston Health Care System
- Study coordinator: Milberg, William P
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Neural targets for improving function in Veterans with alcohol use disorder and mild brain injury
This project tests a targeted brain-stimulation approach to help Veterans who have both alcohol use problems and mild traumatic brain injury improve daily functioning.
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How head injuries affect the heart and blood vessels
This project is looking at whether past traumatic brain injuries cause changes in blood vessels and raise the risk of heart disease for people who have had head injuries.
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Keeping oxygen in the injured brain after severe head trauma
This project uses a small brain oxygen monitor to guide ICU care for people with severe traumatic brain injury in hopes of improving recovery.
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How head injuries affect Parkinson's over time
Researchers will follow people with Parkinson's disease to learn how past mild-to-moderate head injuries relate to thinking, mood, movement, brain changes, and quality of life.
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.