Sponsor or institution
Clinical trials and research at Veterans Admin Palo Alto Health Care Sys
As of November 12, 2026, Find a Trial lists 89 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.
- 89NIH research projects
NIH-funded research (newest 40 of 89)
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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Participatory system dynamics to improve timely access to high-quality mental health care for Veterans
A VA project uses staff-focused simulations to test whether a participatory planning method can speed up Veterans’ access to top mental health care.
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EMBER: a self-help tool to boost Veterans' use of VA weight-management programs
A self-guided motivational tool to help Veterans learn about and join VA weight-management services.
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Mobile health tool to help Veterans with PTSD and depression improve daily functioning
A self-guided mobile app built on STAIR therapy is being adapted to help Veterans manage PTSD and depression in everyday life, with real-time checks on functioning and symptoms.
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Helping the immune system heal after limb injuries to reduce long-term pain
This project looks for ways to calm nerve-driven immune reactions after limb injuries so people recover faster with less chronic pain.
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Decision tools to help older adults choose dialysis
Tools to help older adults with advanced kidney disease and their doctors decide whether to start dialysis or manage without it.
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Water-based exercise and brain training for Veterans with mild memory loss
This project pairs water-based exercise with memory training to help Veterans aged 50–90 who have mild cognitive impairment (early memory problems).
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Cell stress and its role in Alzheimer's and related tau diseases
The team is testing whether boosting a cell-protecting protein called PERK can reduce toxic tau protein in people with Alzheimer's disease and other tau-related disorders.
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Combining Prostaglandin E2 Modulation and Rehab for Muscle Loss in Aging Veterans
Aging Veterans with muscle loss may gain muscle more effectively when a small-molecule drug that boosts a natural muscle-building signal is used together with targeted exercise and rehab.
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In Vitro Test to Predict Knee OA PRP Benefit
A lab test on patient blood samples is being developed to predict who with knee OA will benefit from their own platelet-rich plasma treatment.
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Using staff-run simulations to speed Veterans' access to mental health and addiction care
This project teaches VA staff to use computer-based simulations to help Veterans get faster, better mental health and addiction care.
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Understanding colorectal cancer screening gaps among Veterans to improve outcomes
This project looks at why Veterans aren’t getting recommended colorectal cancer screening and how to fix barriers to improve health outcomes.
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Comparing emergency care for Veterans inside VA and at non-VA hospitals
This project compares emergency care Veterans get at VA hospitals versus non-VA hospitals to learn which options provide better quality and value.
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Family coaching plus VA‑CRAFT to help Veterans with PTSD start treatment
This project looks at whether adding an online program called VA‑CRAFT to the VA's phone-based Coaching Into Care helps family members support Veterans with PTSD to begin mental health care.
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Improving surgical care for frail veterans through a multidisciplinary approach
This study is looking at how a team of doctors and specialists can work together to help older veterans have safer surgeries and recover better, making sure their unique health needs are met along the way.
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Assessing maternal health and pregnancy outcomes in women veterans
This study looks at how pregnancy goes for women veterans, who may have more challenges than other women, by checking records to find out about things like cesarean sections and complications, so the VA can make better care plans for them.
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Exercise and lifestyle rehab for Veterans with heart and blood vessel conditions
This program offers exercise and lifestyle programs to help Veterans with heart, vascular, and related chronic conditions improve fitness, reduce disability, and lower health care needs.
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How social and behavioral factors affect high-risk Veterans' health
Researchers will look at how housing instability, food insecurity, social isolation, and other social factors relate to health and health care use for Veterans at high risk of hospitalization.
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Helping Veterans with PTSD through family support and coaching
This study is testing a friendly phone coaching program to help family and friends of Veterans with PTSD encourage them to get the mental health care they need, making it easier for everyone involved.
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How VA and Medicare Advantage enrollment affects Veterans' care and health
This project finds out how being enrolled in both VA care and a Medicare Advantage plan changes the care Veterans receive and their health outcomes.
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Improving follow-up care after a non-fatal drug overdose for Veterans
Finding better ways to make sure Veterans who survive a non-fatal drug overdose get proven treatments and timely follow-up care.
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Helping Veterans with PTSD through family support and coaching
This study is exploring a new way to help Veterans with PTSD get more involved in their mental health care by using a phone coaching service and a web program that supports families, making it easier for them to encourage their loved ones to seek help.
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Whole Health Coaching to Reduce Emergency Care Use in Homeless Veterans
This program pairs VA data tools with peer-delivered whole health coaching to help homeless Veterans rely less on emergency and acute care.
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Improving how we measure palliative care for advanced cancer patients
This study is all about making palliative care better for Veterans with advanced cancer and their families by listening to their experiences and figuring out what really matters to them in their care.
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Targeting a fat-processing enzyme to reduce brain inflammation in multiple sclerosis
Looks at whether blocking a fat-processing enzyme called DGAT1 can calm immune attacks in people with multiple sclerosis.
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Targeting cell signaling to help optic nerve repair
Researchers are testing whether fixing specific cell-signaling and stress pathways can help damaged optic nerves regrow for people with glaucoma.
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Studying a protein (SIRT7) that affects aging and fat tissue
This project will try boosting a protein called SIRT7 to help protect older adults from age-related metabolic problems like type 2 diabetes.
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Investigating the role of Foxp transcription factors in immune regulation
This study is looking at how certain proteins, called Foxp1 and Foxp4, affect the growth and job of special immune cells that help keep our immune system in check, and it’s for anyone interested in understanding how these changes might impact autoimmune diseases and organ transplants.
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Easier-to-understand PTSD questionnaires for Veterans
This project will make PTSD questionnaires shorter and written in clearer language so Veterans who struggle with medical forms can report their symptoms more easily.
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AI to find early bladder cancer changes in Veterans exposed to carcinogens
Using AI and tissue studies to spot early bladder cancer changes in Veterans who smoked or were exposed to deployment-related chemicals.
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Video telehealth program to improve thinking and community life for Veterans with chronic traumatic brain injury
This offers a video telehealth program that teaches goal-based thinking, attention, and memory strategies to help Veterans with long-term traumatic brain injury get back to work, school, and community activities.
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VA virtual mental health care and suicide prevention
This project will use VA health records and new analysis methods to find out whether virtual mental health services help prevent suicide and reach underserved Veterans.
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Algorithm-Enabled Patient Engagement to Clarify Goals of Care for Veterans with Advanced Cancer
A VA study will use an algorithm to flag veterans with advanced cancer and connect them with trained lay health workers to discuss goals of care with their oncology team.
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Making long-term care easier to get at home for older Veterans
This project will help the VA expand home and community long-term care options so older Veterans can get care where they prefer.
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A tool to help Veterans engage in weight management programs
This study is testing a helpful tool called EMBER that aims to boost motivation and involvement for Veterans in weight management programs, making it easier for them to make healthier choices and improve their overall health.
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Improving access to substance use and mental health care for homeless and justice-involved Veterans
This program aims to help Veterans who are homeless or involved with the justice system get and stay connected to substance use and mental health care using mobile tools and peer support.
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Improving how we measure palliative care for advanced cancer patients
This study is all about making palliative care better for Veterans with advanced cancer by listening to their experiences and those of their families, so we can find out what really matters to them at the end of life.
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Lab-grown blood vessel cells to help legs with poor circulation from peripheral artery disease
Trying a special type of stem-cell–derived blood vessel cell, improved for mitochondrial health, to restore blood flow and reduce limb loss in people with severe peripheral artery disease.
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How concussion-related brain circuits cause long-lasting pain
This project looks at how concussion changes brain circuits that can make headaches and body pain persist, to help people with ongoing pain after mild TBI.
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How the tissue around your bile ducts affects primary sclerosing cholangitis
This project looks at whether lowering a material called hyaluronan and softening stiff tissue around bile ducts could help people with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC).
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Stand Down: A mobile app with peer phone support to help Veterans reduce risky drinking
This offers Veterans a smartphone app plus regular phone support from a trained peer to help cut back on hazardous drinking.
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