Understanding how pain and mental health are connected in veterans

CSRD Research Career Scientist Award Application

NIH-funded research Veterans Affairs Med Ctr San Francisco · NIH-11052001

This study is looking at how veterans experience pain differently when they also have mental health issues like depression or PTSD, with the hope of finding new ways to help manage their pain without using opioids.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionVeterans Affairs Med Ctr San Francisco NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (San Francisco, United States)
Project IDNIH-11052001 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the relationship between pain processing and psychiatric disorders, particularly in veterans. By examining how emotional and physiological responses to pain differ among individuals, the study aims to identify unique biomarkers that can lead to personalized, non-opioid pain management strategies. The approach includes experimental methods to perturb responses to pain, allowing researchers to uncover alterations in pain processing linked to conditions like depression and PTSD. Ultimately, the goal is to improve pain therapies and outcomes for veterans suffering from chronic pain and mental health issues.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are veterans experiencing chronic pain, particularly those with co-occurring psychiatric disorders such as depression or PTSD.

Not a fit: Patients who do not have chronic pain or psychiatric disorders may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective pain management strategies for veterans, reducing reliance on opioids and improving overall mental health.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promise in understanding the links between pain and mental health, suggesting that this approach could yield significant insights.

Where this research is happening

San Francisco, United States

Researchers

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 below.
Conditions Affective Disorders
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.