Sponsor or institution
Clinical trials and research at Veterans Affairs Med Ctr San Francisco
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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Predicting TBI-Related Brain and Eye Pathology with Blood and Retina Biomarkers
A multi-site study aims to find biomarkers in blood and the retina that forecast long-term brain damage after traumatic brain injury, using both animal models and human samples.
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Gut microbes and methotrexate: boosting RA treatment through microbiome targets
Researchers are studying how gut bacteria affect how well methotrexate works for people with rheumatoid arthritis, aiming to make MTX effective for more patients.
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Precision medicine for elderly veterans with chronic inflammatory skin disease
Aimed at understanding and tailoring treatments for older adults with eczema-like skin inflammation (atopic dermatitis) among veterans.
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PTSD and Autoimmune Diseases: How PTSD Might Cause or Change Risk and What Might Help
This project looks at whether PTSD in Veterans affects the risk of autoimmune diseases and whether there are factors that influence that risk.
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Chromatin clues to how neural stem cells grow into specific brain cells
A study exploring how a chromatin regulator shapes neural stem cells to make the right brain cells, with potential relevance to neurological conditions affecting adults.
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Vaccine failure after Covid-19 vaccination in older adults
This project follows vaccinated older adults to understand who among them still gets Covid-19 and what factors make those outcomes worse.
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Gulf War chemical exposures and early signs of Parkinson's disease
This project looks at whether deployment-related chemical exposures are linked to early Parkinson's signs in Gulf War veterans.
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Weighted blanket to ease chronic pain for veterans
A weighted blanket is being studied to help veterans with chronic pain and sleep problems feel less pain and sleep better.
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Virtual cardiac rehab support for Veterans
This project offers home-based cardiac rehabilitation with digital coaching and telehealth to help Veterans complete more rehab sessions after a heart event.
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Group movement classes to help veterans in community living centers keep their independence
This project trains VA care staff to lead gentle group movement sessions that help veterans with dementia stay active, connected, and better able to do daily tasks.
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Inflammation and autoimmune disease in relation to suicide risk in Veterans
This project looks at whether inflammatory markers and autoimmune diseases are linked to thoughts and acts of suicide among veterans.
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Understanding and improving motor recovery after stroke
A study exploring how abnormal arm muscle patterns develop after stroke and testing ways to reduce them to improve movement.
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Transforming Care for Older Veterans with Acute Brain Injury
A research effort to learn how acute brain injury affects older veterans so doctors can tailor care and improve outcomes.
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Evaluating the effectiveness of teledermatology for skin conditions
This study is looking at whether online skin check-ups can give the same good results as visiting a dermatologist in person, especially for Veterans, to make sure everyone gets the best care for their skin conditions.
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Brief insomnia treatment for Veterans with PTSD
A home-friendly, short program using video and phone calls to help Veterans who have insomnia and PTSD sleep better and feel more able to function in daily life.
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Integrated care for Veterans with chronic pain and PTSD who take opioids
This project will design a plan to compare two team-based treatments that treat chronic pain and PTSD at the same time for Veterans who are prescribed opioids.
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Targeting immune-cell energy to reduce brain damage after traumatic brain injury
This project will try blocking a sugar-processing enzyme in brain immune cells to lower inflammation and protect the brain after a traumatic brain injury.
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Targeted glucocorticoid-blocking medicine for Veterans with PTSD
Veterans with PTSD will receive a selective glucocorticoid receptor blocker called CORT108297 to help reduce stress-related PTSD symptoms.
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A drug that targets a heart receptor to treat right-sided (right ventricular) heart failure
This project will test a drug that activates a specific heart receptor to improve right-sided heart function for people with right ventricular failure, including those with pulmonary hypertension.
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Using data science to understand long-term traumatic brain injury
This project uses advanced data analysis to find patterns that explain long-term problems faced by people with chronic traumatic brain injury.
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Teledermatology with AI-assisted skin photo reviews
This project lets veterans use a VA phone app to send history and skin photos to dermatologists while trying out AI to help flag and prioritize worrisome findings.
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How the right side of the heart works in health and long-term lung or heart disease
Seeing if stimulating a specific heart receptor can improve right-sided heart function for people with pulmonary hypertension or right heart failure.
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Tiny cell particles (exosomes) and artery plaque in diabetes
Researchers are looking at whether tiny particles released by cells, called exosomes, make artery plaque worse in adults with type 2 diabetes and whether anti-inflammatory exosomes could protect blood vessels.
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Helping muscle stem cells share healthy mitochondria to improve muscle repair
This project tests whether nudging muscle stem cells to make and donate healthy mitochondria can help repair muscle in people with muscle-wasting conditions like ALS.
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Abaloparatide to help broken bones heal faster
This work looks at whether the bone-building drug abaloparatide can speed and strengthen healing after fractures, especially in people at risk for delayed healing.
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Weighted blanket to ease chronic pain and sleep problems in veterans
A heavier weighted blanket may help veterans with chronic pain sleep better and feel less pain.
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Improving sleep, nightmares, and daytime functioning in veterans with PTSD
This project will try a tailored, module-based sleep program to reduce insomnia, nightmares, and sleep-related problems for veterans with PTSD.
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Faster access to sleep apnea care for Veterans
This project compares a direct-referral pathway that sends Veterans straight to home sleep testing with the usual pathway that starts with an in-person visit, aiming to speed diagnosis and treatment for obstructive sleep apnea.
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Improving identification and treatment of cannabis use in VA primary care
This project aims to help VA primary care better find, refer, and treat veterans who use cannabis, especially older adults.
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Helping Veterans start and stick with recommended PTSD treatments
This project will try ways to help Veterans with PTSD begin and stay in recommended therapies like Cognitive Processing Therapy and Prolonged Exposure.
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Improving sleep in veterans with PTSD through brief behavioral treatment
This study is looking at a short treatment to help veterans with PTSD sleep better, using video and phone sessions, and it will compare how well this treatment works against a relaxation training program.
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Telehealth care for older veterans with cancer and memory loss
This project will try improved telehealth approaches to make cancer care easier and safer for older veterans who have memory problems or dementia.
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Using suvorexant to improve sleep in veterans with PTSD
This study is looking at how a medication called suvorexant can help veterans with PTSD get better sleep and feel less anxious, by targeting the brain's sleep and memory systems.
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Understanding how the brain processes rewards in depression and its link to suicide risk and treatment response
This study is looking at how depression changes the way the brain responds to rewards, especially for people who feel less motivated or find less joy in things they used to enjoy, to help find better ways to treat different types of depression.
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Investigating extracellular vesicles and their RNA for health and disease insights
This study is looking at tiny particles in the body called extracellular vesicles to see if they can help us understand and improve health issues, especially for Veterans with heart and inflammation problems.
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Understanding how Arctic ground squirrels' neurons resist damage
This study is looking at how Arctic ground squirrels' brain cells stay strong during tough conditions to help create better treatments for brain injuries, especially for veterans.
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Understanding how sleep disruption affects emotions and trauma symptoms in veterans
This study looks at how trouble sleeping affects emotions in veterans with PTSD, hoping to find ways to improve their sleep and help them better manage their feelings.
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Improving sleep and functioning in veterans with PTSD
This study is looking for ways to help veterans with PTSD who have trouble sleeping, like insomnia and sleep apnea, by finding better treatments that work for them and improve their overall health and well-being.
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Understanding how biomechanical factors affect the growth and rupture of aortic aneurysms
This study is looking at how certain physical changes in the aorta can help us understand why some aortic aneurysms grow or tear, specifically in veterans, so we can improve how we decide when surgery is needed.
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Understanding how expectations affect pain and trauma in Veterans
This study is looking at how chronic pain and PTSD are connected in Veterans, and it wants to understand how our thoughts about pain can make things better or worse, so we can find better ways to help those dealing with both issues.
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