Understanding how race affects PTSD treatment outcomes in veterans
Official title: Advancing Health Equity by Understanding the Impact of Race on PTSD Symptom Improvement Following Evidence-Based Psychotherapy
Funded at Veterans Affairs Med Ctr San Francisco · NIH-10854253 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how Black veterans and White veterans experience changes in their PTSD symptoms after therapy, aiming to understand what helps or hinders their healing so that all veterans can get better care.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Veterans Affairs Med Ctr San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | March 1, 2025 |
| Project end | February 28, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| NIH project number | 1I01HX003806-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10854253 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are Black veterans who have received evidence-based psychotherapy for PTSD.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not veterans or those who do not have a PTSD diagnosis may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the differences in PTSD symptom improvement among Black veterans compared to their White counterparts after receiving evidence-based psychotherapy. By analyzing electronic health records and conducting qualitative interviews, the study aims to identify factors that contribute to these disparities and understand the experiences of Black veterans in therapy. The goal is to enhance health service delivery and promote equity in PTSD treatment within the Veterans Affairs healthcare system.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved PTSD treatment outcomes for Black veterans, addressing existing disparities in care.
How similar studies have gone: While disparities in PTSD treatment outcomes have been documented, this mixed-methods approach is innovative and has not been previously tested on a national scale within the Veterans Affairs system.
Where this research is happening
-
Veterans Affairs Med Ctr San Francisco
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Maguen, Shira — Veterans Affairs Med Ctr San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Maguen, Shira
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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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.
-
Ketamine to boost fear extinction and memory on PTSD patients
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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.
-
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.
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.