Description of Collaborative Activity: |
A 2012 White House Executive Order, emphasizing support of Service Members, Veterans, and their families as a top priority, called for an urgent increase in the Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS), Defense (DoD), and Veterans Affairs (VA) research coordination to address the problems of PTSD, TBI, and suicide. Section 5 of this Executive Order requested a National Research Action Plan (NRAP) to develop biomarkers, define the pathophysiology, and develop new treatments for PTSD. HHS charged the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) to lead this effort along with a parallel effort for TBI led by National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), with both Institutes working closely with VA and DoD. The NRAP was published in 2013. Prior investments integrating the molecular, genomic, and brain circuitry changes that give rise to PTSD in the context of environmental factors provide the requisite foundation to respond to this White House request for biomarkers for risk prediction, as well as new targets for medications, and other therapies to treat PTSD. This investment has the potential to revolutionize care for individuals at high risk for PTSD and prevent the development of chronic, complex treatment-resistant PTSD. The agencies meet weekly and produce quarterly progress reports. |
Type of Collaborative Activity: |
Committee, Advisory Group, or Work Group
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