# CSRD Research Career Scientist Award Application

> **NIH VA IK6** · JAMES J PETERS VA  MEDICAL CENTER · 2024 · —

## Abstract

Dr. Erin Hazlett is currently a VA Research Career Scientist (RCS) at the James J. Peters VA Medical
Center (JJPVAMC). This is her first RCS Award renewal application.
 Schizophrenia (Sz)-spectrum disorders and suicidal behavior are major public health problems affecting
Veterans. Each year, the VA provides care to approximately 100,000 Sz patients, accounting for nearly 12% of
the VA’s total healthcare costs. In 2019, Veteran suicides were double that of civilians in the United States.
The PI’s ongoing clinical cognitive neuroscience research at the VA uses neuroimaging and psychophysio-
logical approaches and primarily focuses on these two areas: elucidating the neurobiology of Sz and suicidal
behavior. Identification of promising new targets for intervention in Sz and suicide prevention are critically
important goals of the VA. The PI’s track record of federal funding and peer-reviewed publications in these two
areas has helped advance the field.
 Suicidal behavior in Veterans: Dr. Hazlett’s current VA Collaborative CSR&D/BLR&D Merit Award
investigates the underlying neurobiology of impulsivity in Veterans at low and high risk for suicide. Using task-
based fMRI, she examines the correlates of motor and cognitive impulsivity in healthy-control (HC) Veterans
and pathological severity of impulsivity in Veterans with major depressive disorder (MDD) with and without a
history of suicide attempt(s) (SA) and mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). In all, five groups of Veterans are
being studied: HC, SA-mTBI-, SA+mTBI-, SA-mTBI+, SA+mTBI+. Our collaborative VA sites are studying an
animal model of mTBI (East Orange, NJ VA), collecting identical behavioral impulsivity data in acutely suicidal
inpatients (Indy VA), and assisting with rigorous diagnostic/symptom severity assessments (Denver VA). Blood
is being studied (Indy VA) in participants to examine inflammation and epigenetics related to suicidal behavior.
This work promises to help uncover the mechanisms by which biological and psychological factors give rise to
suicidal behavior and may aid in prospectively identifying Veterans at greatest risk for suicide. The second
component is funded by a new VA RR&D SPiRE grant and aims to collect pilot data to test the feasibility and
acceptability of an adjunctive neuroplasticity-based Cognitive Remediation (CR) intervention on key treatment
targets delivered via telehealth in a sample of 36 Veterans with MDD and a history of SA. It will test the effects
of an evidence-based CR therapy augmented with manualized “Bridging” sessions on transfer and practice of
cognitive control and decision-making/problem-solving strategies for real-world situations and problems,
including those that trigger suicidal thoughts. This is the first implementation of this intervention in Veterans
with MDD and suicidal behavior. Consistent with the SPiRE mechanism, this study is high risk, but it has high
potential impact and promise to help improve quality of life for Veterans at ...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10887502
- **Project number:** 5IK6CX002700-02
- **Recipient organization:** JAMES J PETERS VA  MEDICAL CENTER
- **Principal Investigator:** ERIN A. HAZLETT
- **Activity code:** IK6 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** VA
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** —
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2023-04-01 → 2028-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10887502

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10887502, CSRD Research Career Scientist Award Application (5IK6CX002700-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-27 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10887502. Licensed CC0.

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