Consortium Overview

The PASA objective is to identify promising potential treatments for alcohol and substance use disorders (ASUD) particularly in the presence of other psychological disorders including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The importance of this objective for the Department of Defense (DOD) is that Veterans and service members suffer from ASUD at rates significantly higher than the general population. Additionally, the military population is more likely to see ASUD in combination with PTSD and other similar psychological disorders including suicidality. Of particular concern is opioid use disorder (OUD) in Veterans. Veterans with PTSD appear to be more susceptible to develop OUD, and the prevalence of this is increasing. OUD and overdose death from opioids, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, continue to be a health care issue.

RTI International and Baylor College of Medicine initiated PASA in 2015 under an ASUDRP consortium award. The PASA Core solicits, funds, and participates in the conduct and analysis of non-clinical basic science studies, preclinical animal research studies, and early-phase clinical trials of potential treatment compounds. The intention of these studies is to provide early-stage evidence that these compounds are safe and potentially effective in treating ASUD, particularly in the presence of PTSD and other psychological disorders.

PASA is overseen by a Programmatic Panel comprising government and non-government representatives and subject matter experts.