Mental Health Research
As a leader in health research, VA prides itself on delivering care to Veterans that is supported by scientific evidence and input from experts.
We specifically bring together clinicians, policy makers, educators and scientists to address the health care needs of the Veterans we are proud to serve. The mental health service at the McGuire VA Medical Center contributes to this research and has studies available for Veteran participation. Please check this page frequently for updated studies.
Opportunities to Participate in Mental Health Research
The Study of Post Deployment Mental Health
(Principal Investigator: Scott McDonald, Ph.D.) 
The goal of this study is to learn about the physical and mental mental health of individuals who have served in the U.S. military at any time since October 2001. Male and female U.S. military Veterans and active duty military service members who have served since October 2001 may be eligible to participate. The study involves one appointment of approximately six hours and includes completion of the study session. For more information, please call (804)675-5000 ext. 4251 or click here for the Recuitment Database of Post Deployment Mental Health.
This study is recruiting
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Traumatic Brain Injury: Comorbidity and Longitudinal Course of Recovery
(Principal Investigator: Treven Pickett, Psy.D.)
This study is a follow-up for participants of the Study of Post-Deployment Mental Health, and for Veterans being assessed and treated for a traumatic brain injury. Male and female U.S. military Veterans and active duty military service members who have served since October 2001 may be eligible to participate. Participants are asked to attend a single session of approximately six hours, during which they will complete tests of memory, attention and hand/eye coordination. You will be paid for completion of the study session. For more informaiton, please call (804) 675-5000 ext. 4251
This study is recruiting
Service Experience and Alcohol Preference
(Principal Investigator: Ananda Amstadter, Ph.D.; McGuire VA Medical Center Site Principal
Investigator: Treven Pickett, Psy.D.)
This research study examines the role of combat history and personality factors on alcohol perference. If you are between the ages of 21 and 40, and have had service experience in Iraq or Afghanistan, (or no service experience), you may be eligible to participate in a National Institutes of Health funded research study conducted by Virginia Commonwealth University in collaboration with the McGuire VA Medical Center.
Payment is provided for participation in the study, participation is voluntary, and participants are able to quit the study at any time.
If you are interested, call our office at 804-628-VETS (804-628-8387) to find out more information about the study and to answer questions about eligibility.
This study is recruiting
Deployment experiences: Relationships with cognition and decision-making in Veterans
(Principal Investigator: James M. Bjork, Ph.D.)
Veterans age 18-55 who have served since 9/11 may be eligible to participate. Participants undergo a mental health history interview in an initial screening visit to the Richmond VA Medical Center, and then to return to the Richmond VA Medical Center once or twice more for a total of 5-6 additional hours to complete questionnaires and perform computer tasks. The questionnaires are about personality, mood, and experiences during deployment, and the tasks will test memory, attention, risk-taking, and decision-making. Participants will be paid for their participation, with some payment based on performance or choices made in some of the tasks. For more information, please call (804) 675-5000 ext. 7402
This study is recruiting.
The studies listed on this webpage are not necessarily endorsed by the Mental Health Service Line of the McGuire VA Medical Center, the McGuire VAMC or the Veterans Health Administration.Related Local Research Websites:
VA Polytrauma and TBI Research Opportunities
VA Spinal Cord Injury & Disorders (SCI&D) Research Protocols
VCU's Center for Rehabilitative Science and Engineering (CERSE) (External)
For more information about volunteering for VA research:
Volunteering in Research