Understanding how military sexual trauma and PTSD affect brain and immune system health

Who could benefit from this research

What this research studies

If you are a veteran who has experienced military sexual trauma, this study will follow participants over several years to look at inflammatory markers and brain-immune communication in relation to PTSD symptoms. Researchers will collect blood samples and clinical information to track how immune signals evolve with mood and anxiety symptoms. The goal is to identify biomarkers that could guide future treatments and personalized care for MST-related PTSD. The study emphasizes longitudinal data to understand how inflammation and CNS signaling develop together with PTSD over time. Participation would involve follow-up visits and sample collection with minimal disruption to daily life.

Why it matters

Where this research is happening

• VA San Diego Healthcare System
  San Diego, United States Active

Researchers

• Principal investigator: Risbrough, Victoria B — VA San Diego Healthcare System
• Study coordinator: Risbrough, Victoria B

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

• Understanding how PTSD affects self-control and brain function

  Researchers are studying how PTSD changes the brain’s control over thoughts and actions, and how this might affect Veterans’ daily lives and responses to treatment.

  NIH research VA Boston Health Care System · Boston, United States · NIH-11617299

• Ketamine to boost fear extinction and memory on PTSD patients

  A study testing whether ketamine can help people with PTSD better relearn and forget fear when given in a guided treatment plan.

  NIH research Yale University · New Haven, United States · NIH-11592530

• Treating PTSD and opioid use disorder in residential care with Written Exposure Therapy (WEST)

  A short, patient-friendly plan to adapt a proven PTSD therapy for people with opioid use disorder in residential treatment and test its practicality and impact.

  NIH research University of Maryland Baltimore County · Baltimore, United States · NIH-11588002

• Dynamic PTSD-Related Cognitive Risk in Aging WTC Responders

  This project follows World Trade Center responders as they age to understand how PTSD symptoms relate to changes in thinking skills over time.

  NIH research State University New York Stony Brook · Stony Brook, United States · NIH-11578595

• Identifying brain proteins linked to PTSD and alcohol use disorder

  Researchers are studying brain proteins that may contribute to PTSD and alcohol use disorder in US veterans to find new ways to help people who struggle with both conditions.

  NIH research VA Northern California Health Care Sys · Mather, United States · NIH-11578051

• Transdiagnostic Behavior Therapy for Veterans with Social Anxiety and PTSD Symptoms

  A clinical trial tests whether a flexible brain-behavior therapy helps veterans with social anxiety and PTSD symptoms feel better and engage more in daily life.

  NIH research Ralph H Johnson VA Medical Center · Charleston, United States · NIH-11556448

About this research

1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.