Precision Brain Health Research Act of 2025
Precision Brain Health Research Act of 2025
Plain Language Summary
# Precision Brain Health Research Act of 2025 – Plain Language Summary **What the Bill Does** This bill would expand an existing Veterans Affairs program called the Scott Hannon Initiative to improve mental and brain health research for veterans. Specifically, it would add new research areas—including dementia and repetitive blast exposure injuries—to conditions the program currently studies (like depression and PTSD).
The bill would require the VA to partner with the Department of Defense to share data and conduct research studies, and would hire the National Academies of Sciences to help identify and validate biological markers (measurable signs) of brain conditions in veterans. **Who It Affects** The bill primarily affects veterans, particularly those exposed to blast injuries during military service, as well as aging veterans at risk for dementia. It also involves the VA and Department of Defense, which would need to coordinate research efforts, and the National Academies of Sciences, which would be contracted to conduct validation work. **Current Status** The bill was introduced in the 119th Congress (2025) by Senator Jerry Moran (R-KS) and is currently in committee, meaning it has not yet been voted on by the full Senate.
CRS Official Summary
Precision Brain Health Research Act of 2025This bill expands the Scott Hannon Initiative for Precision Mental Health, a program at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).Specifically, the bill expands the scope of the initiative by requiring the identification and validation of brain and mental health biomarkers among veterans for repetitive low-level blast exposure, dementia, and other such brain conditions. Currently, the initiative addresses several other conditions such as depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.The VA must work with the Department of Defense to establish a data-sharing partnership under the initiative.The bill requires the VA to conduct various research studies about repetitive low-level blast exposure under the initiative.The VA must seek to enter into a contract with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to work in tandem with the initiative on validation of brain and mental health biomarkers among veterans and report on the findings at least once every two years.The VA must assess all in progress and planned translational research studies under the initiative and report to Congress on the assessment.Additionally, the VA must report to Congress on the initiative at least once every two years and include recommendations for immediate administrative and legislative action to improve the initiative.The bill authorizes the initiative through FY2034.
Latest Action
Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.