Sponsor or institution
Clinical trials and research at Portland VA Medical Center
As of November 12, 2026, Find a Trial lists 4 clinical trials run by Portland VA Medical Center that are recruiting, in United States. By phase: Phase 2 (1). There are also 90 NIH-funded research projects at this institution. Every study is explained in plain English. Data from ClinicalTrials.gov and NIH RePORTER, updated November 12, 2026.
- 4Clinical trials
- 90NIH research projects
- 1Country
Newest trials
| Study | Phase | Where | Status | Registered |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Group cognitive rehabilitation for Veterans with depression-related thinking problems | — | Portland, Oregon | Recruiting | Dec 11, 2024 |
| Exploring the effects of branched chain amino acids on sleep in veterans | — | Portland, Oregon | Recruiting | Jun 19, 2019 |
| Pembrolizumab plus intensive androgen-blocking before prostatectomy for high-risk localized prostate cancer | Phase 2 | Portland, Oregon | Recruiting | Nov 26, 2018 |
| Using morning bright light to improve sleep in veterans | — | Portand, Oregon | Recruiting | Jul 5, 2018 |
All recruiting trials (4)
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Group cognitive rehabilitation for Veterans with depression-related thinking problems
This trial tests whether an 8-week group program that teaches compensatory thinking strategies with motivational and mindfulness supports can help Veterans treated for major depression who still have memory, attention, or other thinking problems.
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Exploring the effects of branched chain amino acids on sleep in veterans
This study is testing if taking branched chain amino acids can help improve sleep and thinking skills in veterans who have had a traumatic brain injury.
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Pembrolizumab plus intensive androgen-blocking before prostatectomy for high-risk localized prostate cancer
This trial tests whether giving pembrolizumab together with intensive androgen-blocking (enzalutamide) before prostatectomy helps men with high-risk localized prostate cancer.
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Using morning bright light to improve sleep in veterans
This study is testing if morning bright light therapy can help improve sleep quality for veterans with traumatic brain injuries.
NIH-funded research (newest 40 of 90)
Early-stage science funded by the US National Institutes of Health. Most of these projects don't enroll patients, but they show what is being worked on.
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Improving healthcare quality for chronic disease management
This study is all about finding better ways to help Veterans with chronic diseases get the care they need, by looking at health data to improve how services are provided and make sure they receive top-notch treatment.
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Understanding how DVT forms and heals to prevent vein scarring
This NIH grant supports a physician-scientist to study why deep vein clots form and how vein walls get scarred, with the goal of improving long-term outcomes for patients who develop DVT.
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How hearing aids affect the brain and everyday listening
Looks at whether wearing hearing aids changes brain processing and makes hearing, thinking, and listening easier for Veterans with hearing loss or tinnitus.
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National Center for Rehabilitative Auditory Research (NCRAR) as a Resource for Veterans with Hearing and Balance Challenges
A nationwide VA research center helps researchers study and improve diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of hearing and balance problems in Veterans.
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Oncostatin M Receptor in Pancreatic Cancer
Aims to understand how a molecule called Oncostatin M and its receptor affect pancreatic cancer to find new ways to help patients.
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Lung cancer screening for veterans in community care: how to improve care and follow-up
This project looks at how to make lung cancer screening better for veterans who get care outside VA facilities, focusing on keeping people up to date with follow-up and improving communication.
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Promoting Safe Firearm Storage for Veterans with Video Stories and Social Media
A VA grant tests a new, veteran-centered approach using short video stories and Reddit to encourage families and friends to talk about safe firearm storage with veterans.
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Eye blood vessel signs of nerve damage in multiple sclerosis
This project uses a quick, noninvasive eye scan to look for tiny blood vessel changes that may show nerve damage in people with multiple sclerosis.
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Device-based rehabilitation for veterans with functional hearing difficulties
A randomized trial tests whether devices designed to aid people with normal hearing thresholds can improve day-to-day hearing and communication for veterans seeking care at VA clinics.
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Understanding skin immune side effects from cancer immunotherapy and how to treat them
Researchers are studying why immune-related skin side effects from cancer therapies happen and how to treat them so patients can keep benefiting from these treatments.
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Improving care coordination for high-risk Veterans
This project tests ways to match high-risk Veterans with the right care coordination services to help them get needed care and better health outcomes.
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How HIV medicines may affect hearing
This project tests whether some HIV medications cause mitochondrial changes that lead to hearing loss in people taking antiretroviral therapy.
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Targeting T-cell Receptor V-region to Treat T-cell Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
This NIH grant plans to explore new ways to treat T-cell Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma by targeting the T-cell receptor and overcoming resistance to therapy, with attention to veterans who are disproportionately affected.
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Blocking CD74 to reduce inflammation and protect nerves in MS
A lab-made therapy called DRhQ that blocks a protein on immune cells to lower inflammation and protect nerves in people with multiple sclerosis.
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Precision pre-surgery therapy for high-risk PTEN-loss prostate cancer
This grant plans a targeted, pre-surgical treatment for men with high-risk localized prostate cancer who have PTEN loss, using intensified hormone therapy plus an AKT inhibitor before surgery.
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Heart cell signals that may cause kidney scarring and high blood pressure
Researchers are looking at whether molecules released by injured heart cells after sudden heart events cause lasting kidney damage and high blood pressure.
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Tests to predict how Parkinson's will progress
Researchers will use a special type of brain scan and blood tests to look for markers that help predict how Parkinson's disease will change over time for people with the condition, especially veterans.
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Why milk-producing breast units sometimes stay enlarged and how that links to breast cancer
Researchers are using a mouse model to understand how lasting enlargement of milk-making breast units may raise breast cancer risk for women.
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Enkephalin changes in the hippocampus after head injury and seizure risk
This work looks at whether rises in the brain peptide enkephalin after traumatic brain injury make the hippocampus more likely to produce seizures, which matters for people with head injuries.
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Using genetic information to improve drug safety and effectiveness during surgery
This study is looking to improve surgery results by using information about how your genes affect how you respond to medications, helping doctors choose the best drugs for you and reduce the risk of side effects after surgery.
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Investigating MitoQ to reduce fatigue in people with Multiple Sclerosis
This study is looking at whether MitoQ, a special antioxidant, can help reduce fatigue in people with Multiple Sclerosis, as many current treatments don’t work well and can have side effects.
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How support cells and neurons change after prenatal alcohol exposure
Researchers are studying whether alcohol exposure before birth causes changes in brain support cells that lead to altered wiring and learning problems in young children.
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Shared decision support for Veterans with rheumatoid arthritis
This project offers a program to help Veterans with rheumatoid arthritis and their clinicians make treatment choices together when methotrexate doesn't work.
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Improving sleep to help veterans recover from mild traumatic brain injuries
This study is looking at how better sleep can help veterans with mild brain injuries who are struggling with sleep problems and chronic pain, and it offers different treatments to improve their overall well-being.
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Improving sleep for Veterans with traumatic brain injury, PTSD, and chronic pain
A simple at-home sleep program aims to help Veterans who have traumatic brain injury, PTSD, and chronic pain sleep better and feel less burdened by symptoms.
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Men's and women's return to civilian life and suicide risk
Looks at how men and women Veterans in the first four years after leaving the military experience reintegration and which problems are linked to higher suicide risk.
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Exploring how new screening for suicidal thoughts affects Veterans
This study is looking at how Veterans feel about a new screening process for suicidal thoughts called VA Risk-ID and how it affects their willingness to get help, so we can understand what works well and what might need improvement.
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How mild non-blast brain injuries affect hearing and understanding speech in noisy places
This work looks at why people with mild non-blast brain injuries (from falls, sports, or car crashes) have trouble hearing and following speech in noisy places.
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Diagnosing and treating tinnitus linked to head, neck, or jaw problems
This project develops a screening test and a physical-therapy treatment for people—especially Veterans—whose tinnitus changes with head, neck, jaw, or eye movements.
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Hearing and balance problems after COVID-19 in Veterans
This project looks at whether COVID-19 is linked to new hearing loss, tinnitus, or dizziness in Veterans and what might be causing those problems.
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Why people stop buprenorphine treatment early
This project looks at why people with opioid use disorder stop buprenorphine treatment early and what could help them stay on it.
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Finding the best ways to organize home-based primary care
This project learns which VA home-based primary care program setups help Veterans with complex chronic conditions spend more time living safely at home.
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Caring messages to boost social connection after a crisis
Sending short, caring messages to Veterans—especially older adults with medical or mental health conditions—to reduce loneliness and encourage follow-up after a crisis.
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Training friends, family, and caregivers to help Veterans at risk of suicide
This project teaches friends, family, and caregivers simple skills to spot when a Veteran may be thinking about suicide and how to respond to keep them safe.
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Understanding and treating autoimmune and neurodegenerative diseases affecting the brain.
This study is looking for new ways to help veterans with autoimmune and neurodegenerative diseases, like multiple sclerosis, by understanding what causes these conditions and testing new treatments to reduce inflammation and improve their health.
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Improving suicide-related care for Black, Indigenous, and Veterans of color
This project looks at whether Veterans of color are getting the recommended suicide-prevention care after self-harm and gathers their experiences to guide fairer care.
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Exploring how gender affects Veterans' transition to civilian life and suicide risk
This study looks at the different challenges that men and women Veterans face when they leave the military and adjust to civilian life, especially in the first four years when they might be at higher risk for suicide, to find ways to better support them during this important time.
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Understanding Hearing Difficulties in People with Sleep Apnea
This work explores if sleep apnea affects hearing, even when standard hearing tests are normal, and if CPAP therapy could help improve it for Veterans.
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How the Oncostatin M receptor helps drive pancreatic cancer
This project looks at whether blocking the Oncostatin M receptor can slow aggressive pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma in people.
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Targeted therapy for aggressive prostate cancer with PTEN loss
This study is testing a new treatment for men with high-risk localized prostate cancer that has lost a specific gene, aiming to combine hormone therapy with a special drug before surgery to help shrink the cancer and improve outcomes.
Quick answers
How many clinical trials run by Portland VA Medical Center are recruiting right now?
4, as of November 12, 2026. We update this list each time we refresh our data from ClinicalTrials.gov.
Where are these trials running?
All of them have sites in United States. Each study page lists its sites and which ones are recruiting.
What phases are they in?
Phase 2: 1. Trials with no phase listed are usually device, behavioural or observational studies.
How do I join one?
Open a study, check the "Is this trial a fit for you?" section, then contact the study team listed on the page. They will ask a few screening questions. Asking is free and does not commit you to anything. Talk it over with your doctor first.
Find the studies that fit you
A list is a starting point. Tell us your situation in your own words and we'll rank the studies that match and explain why. It's free and needs no account.