# BLRD Research Career Scientist Award Application

> **NIH VA IK6** · VA SAN DIEGO HEALTHCARE SYSTEM · 2024 · —

## Abstract

Dr. Risbrough runs a cross-species translational research program to study mechanisms of
trauma disorders including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury
(TBI). Her overall program aims to support development of novel treatments and
diagnostic/prognostic tools for Veterans with PTSD and TBI. Dr. Risbrough focuses her
preclinical research program on identifying mechanisms of risk and identifying potential novel
treatments for PTSD using genetic, molecular and pharmacological tools in mice. She is known
for her expertise in animal models of PTSD and the neurobiology of stress systems. Her current
preclinical work includes identifying genetic risk markers for fear learning and extinction,
identifying sleep and immune-system contributors to risk for PTSD and comorbid alcohol
drinking and identifying novel treatments targeting dopamine and endocannabinoid systems to
enhance fear-extinction based therapies. Her clinical research program includes identifying
psychosocial, physiological and blood-based biomarkers of PTSD and TBI aimed at
understanding mechanisms that impede recovery and induce functional impairment to improve
intervention development. This program includes managing the San Diego VA Sleep Research
Laboratory, the Psychophysiology Laboratory for the VA Center of Excellence for Stress and
Mental Health (CESAMH), longitudinal PTSD/TBI Biorepository for CESAMH as well as her
continued work as a Principal Investigator for the Marine Resiliency Study, a prospective
longitudinal study of OIF/OEF Marines now in its 10 year follow up collection period. Finally,
she also conducts clinical studies to identify novel pharmacological treatments for PTSD. Her
research program is funded by NIMH, NIAAA, Department of Defense in addition to VA BLR&D
and VA Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health funds.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10720890
- **Project number:** 5IK6BX006186-02
- **Recipient organization:** VA SAN DIEGO HEALTHCARE SYSTEM
- **Principal Investigator:** Victoria B Risbrough
- **Activity code:** IK6 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** VA
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** —
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2022-10-01 → 2027-09-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10720890

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10720890, BLRD Research Career Scientist Award Application (5IK6BX006186-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10720890. Licensed CC0.

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