VA Research: Open Studies Seeking Participants

About Participating in VA Research
- VA Research studies often enroll both Veterans and non-Veteran participants.
- Studies listed here have been approved by the local committee responsible for assuring that risks to study participants are minimized and their rights are protected. Click here for related information.
- Taking Part in VA Research - An Overview (va.gov)
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) (va.gov)

Where? These studies are based in Gainesville, Florida, unless otherwise noted.

How to Search this Study List
- Use CTRL + F to search for key words or numbers.
- Use the following links to find a study by one of the listed health conditions:

For More Information

> Phone: (352) 376-1611 ext. 107735

> ClinicalTrials.Gov Listing: https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT03790657
> Online Survey: https://varedcap.rcp.vaec.va.gov/redcap/surveys/
> Brain Balance Survey Code: 9MXD3EH7P

The purpose of the Brain Balance Study is to understand whether a traumatic brain injury (TBI) earlier in life (at least 10 years ago) can affect current abilities. For comparison, we are also recruiting people who have never had a TBI. There will be a single visit to our research site in addition to study assessments that can be completed by you at home (via online and telephone surveys).

What the Study Involves
• Questionnaires and surveys about your health

• Tests of cognitive function, balance, and eye-muscle coordination
• Imaging of bone and muscle

You May Qualify to Take Part If You . . .
• Are 50-75 years of age

• Had one or more TBIs 10 or more years ago OR Never had a TBI

• Have no serious medical condition

• Have no other illness or injury to your central nervous system

Brain Balance Study – Healthy persons are needed for comparison with persons who have traumatic brain injury. Click here for an overview of the study.

Title: Comparing the Effectiveness of Telehealth to In-Person Delivery of Combined Metacognitive and Attention Training in Veterans with Mild Traumatic Brain Injury/PTSD

Purpose – Having both mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can decrease organizing and planning skills, which can have a substantial impact on ability to take care of many aspects of life from paying bills to remembering birthdays. This study will compare in-person and telehealth delivery of the same therapeutic interventions to see if either method is more effective.

More Info – Dr. Julia Kay Waid-Ebbs: Julia.Waid-Ebbs@va.gov.

Phone: 1-800-324-8387 Or 352-376-1611; ext 105224 for both numbers.

What the Study Involves

2 weekly therapy sessions over 10-weeks involving Goal Management Training (GMT) plus attention training.
Completing computerized and paper pencil tests of thinking skills over 15 months at the following times: before therapy starts, right after it iscompleted, and at 6 months and then 1 year afterwards.
A friend or family member will also be asked to complete a questionnaire
about your ability to perform everyday activities.

You May Qualify to Take Part If You… Have been diagnosed with a concussion or mild traumatic brain injury.

TBI

Respiratory

IIMPACT – Study to Assess Allogeneic ULSC on Dermatomyositis/ Polymyositis (DM/PM)

Purpose - To see if repeat doses of a product made from donated umbilical lining stem cells (ULSC), are safe and can be tolerated, and what effects they may have, for the treatment of Dermatomyositis/Polymyositis (DM/PM), also known as idiopathic inflammatory myopathy (IIM).

Study Design - We will monitor you for any adverse events and any improvements. This will be done by assessing changes in your medical history, physical exams, questionnaires, and lab tests at set timepoints after you receive the intravenous (IV) infusions of ULSC). You will be followed for 1 year after the last IV infusions.

You will receive a total of 6 IV infusions, given about 3 months apart. 3 doses will contain ULSC and 3 doses will contain placebo (a substance with no active treatment). You will be assigned to one of two groups for treatments in either order:

• ULSC first and placebo second, or

• placebo first and ULSC second.

Qualifications

•18 or older

•Have dermatomyositis or polymyositis

•Have muscle weakness

•On a steady treatment plan

Please visit the pre-screening questionnaire https://restem.com/iim-pre-screening-questionnaire

Contact

•Sarah Long - sarah.long5@va.gov

•Nicole Bostick - Janette.Bostick@va.gov

• 352-548-6474

Please Visit - IIMPactLife.com

Study ID: IRB202500563 Date Approved 6/2/2026

Impact of IMG-1 Supplement on Metabolic and Molecular Health Markers

Purpose – IMG-1 is a dietary supplement, and this research study evaluates the effects of IMG -1 supplementation on blood glucose levels and HbA1c. Based on preliminary data in healthy individuals that showed lower levels of fasting glucose levels after three months of therapy with IMG-1, the current project proposes to assess the effect of IMG-1 in people with various degrees of abnormal blood sugar.

Qualifications

•18 and older

•Meet any other generally accepted criteria for nutritional supplementation.

•For the third group, patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes up to 36 months prior to enrollment.

•Can be prediabetic, newly diagnosed with T2D, or normoglycemic

Study Design – In this research study participants will be given IMG-1 gel caps in 60-day supplies to be taken as directed for 6 months along with the prescribed standard of care. Fasting blood tests will be conducted at months 2, 4, 6, and 12. Biological age tests will be given to participants with the opportunity for individualized results. Additionally, activities monitor will be worn to measure movement and sleep.

Contacts

NF/SG VHS Principal Investigator – Dr. Julio Leey-Casella

Study Coordinators -

MJ Ice – 352-376-1611 ext. 104276

Aster Pringle - 352-548-7718

IRB# IRB202500563

Vet-PD Veterans Parkinson’s Disease Genetics Initiative

Purpose

The goal of Vet-PD is to find genes that increase a person's risk of developing Parkinson's disease (PD) and enroll a diverse group of participants. We actively encourage participation from Veterans whose lived experiences have been historically underrepresented in health and research settings. Your voice is vital to advancing PD-treatments and helping the VA provide care that reflects the rich diversity of the Veteran community.

Study Design

Participants will be asked to provide a sample of blood (or saliva if a blood draw is unsuccessful), answer questions about how they have been affected by PD through an interview, and in some instances, undergo a neurological examination. They may also be asked to complete a questionnaire on environmental exposures and/or a brief test of thinking and memory, but these are optional.

Qualifications

•Diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease

•At least 18 years old

•Willing to provide a blood or saliva sample

Contact: MJ Ice at 352-376-1611 x4276 or Jennifer Morad at 352-376-1611 x 107724

Just Breathe – Breathing Life into Innovative Therapies for ARDS

Background

This is a Phase 2 platform research study that is assessing three different investigational medications (versus placebo) for hospitalized adults who have Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)

Study Design

Those who qualify for more than one of the three study groups (based on the underlying health condition/s causing their ARDS) will be randomly assigned to a group. Those who only qualify for one group will be assigned to that group.

Once assigned to a group, each participant will then have an equal chance of receiving EITHER the investigational medication OR placebo (an infusion with no medicine in it). Regardless, study participation will last up to about 90 days.

Qualifications

•Are aged 18 years or older

•Are hospitalized and have signs and symptoms of ARDS, like trouble breathing

•Your condition is preceded by an ARDS risk factor such as pneumonia, other type of infection, and/or shock, etc.

*Days 1, 2, 4, 8, 15 and 22 will only be administered if deemed appropriate by the investigator and the participant is still in the hospital.

Contact: Laura Dixon at 352-548-7707 or Juliana Simon at 352-548-6455