54 Clinical Trials for Various Conditions
The protocol is to draw peripheral blood from healthy volunteers for in vitro studies. The aims of these in vitro studies are to determine the cellular and intracellular mechanisms by which hypertonic saline and ATP release regulate neutrophil and lymphocyte functions.
Accumulating evidence indicates that inflammation is prominent both in the blood and central nervous system (CNS) of Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients. These data suggest that systemic inflammation plays a crucial role in the cause and effects of AD neuropathology. Capitalizing on the experience from a previous clinical trial with thalidomide, here, the investigators hypothesize that modulating both systemic and CNS inflammation via the pleiotropic immunomodulator lenalidomide is a putative therapeutic intervention for AD if administered at a proper time window during the course of the disease.
The goal of this clinical trial is to identify sex-specific biomarkers that confer greater susceptibility for Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) and differentiate how treatment response varies by sex in people with Alcohol Use Disorder. The main questions it aims to answer are: * How does trauma affect emotion regulation, inflammation, and limbic function, and what are the sex-dependent effects of NTX (Naltrexone) on these aspects? * What is the mechanism of Naltrexone (NTX), and how does it potentially moderate reductions in alcohol use through changes in or interactions between emotion regulation, inflammation, or limbic system function? Participants will * Be consented and will undergo comprehensive screening for eligibility criteria * Complete behavioral assessments and neuropsychological assessments, as well as neurocognitive assessments and neuroimaging measures * Provide urine samples for a urine drug screen (UDS) and urine pregnancy test (for women), and have blood and a cheek swab collected and stored in the repository * Take a study drug once daily for 12 weeks and track drug usage and effects in a study journal * Undergo weekly assessment calls and bi-weekly medical follow-up safety exams Researchers will compare naltrexone to placebo in AUD to see if naltrexone is effective in reducing alcohol cravings and promoting abstinence. Researchers will also compare baseline measures between AUD and Healthy Controls.
In this study, researchers will learn more about a study drug called BIIB091 in participants with MS who may be experiencing relapses. It is a 2-part study. In Part 1, one set of participants will take either BIIB091 or diroximel fumarate (DRF). In Part 2, a different set of participants will take either a combination of BIIB091 and DRF or DRF alone. The goal of the study is to learn more about the safety of BIIB091 and to compare the effects of the study drug when taken alone or together with DRF. The main question researchers are trying to answer are: * How many participants have new or worsening medical problems (adverse events) after taking BIIB091 or DRF? * How many new areas of inflammation occur in the brain after treatment with BIIB091 and DRF? Researchers will use magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans to compare images of the brain before and after treatment. They will also explore the effect of BIIB091 and DRF on the heart using electrocardiograms (ECGs). The study will be done as follows: * After screening, participants who joined Part 1 will be randomly assigned to receive either a high or low dose of BIIB091, or the standard dose of DRF. * The results of Part 1 will be used to choose the best dose of BIIB091 to use in Part 2. * Participants who join Part 2 will be randomly assigned to receive either a standard dose of DRF, a combo of BIIB091 and the standard dose of DRF, or a combo of BIIB91 with a low dose of DRF. * Neither the researchers nor the participants will know which drug or dose the participants will receive in either part of the study. * The treatment period will last 48 weeks in each part of the study. Participants will take the drugs by mouth 2 times a day. * Each part will also have a follow-up safety period that lasts up to 2 weeks. * In total, participants in each part will have 20 study visits, or more if they have a relapse. The total study duration for participants will be up to 54 weeks.
Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) leads to alterations in brain structure and function by spinal nerve damage, secondary inflammatory responses, and by the consequences of living with paralysis and neuropathic pain. Physical inactivity due to lower body paralysis rapidly leads to loss of muscle, and risk of heart disease. The leading cause of death after a spinal cord injury is cardiovascular disease, and just a year after injury, those with SCI have a peak exercise capacity half that of the unfit general population. The good news is that aerobic exercise reduces the risk of chronic metabolic and cardiorespiratory diseases, reduces inflammation and pain, and increases mood and quality of life. Exercise can also reduce brain inflammation, enhance endogenous analgesia, and increases the size of the hippocampus. The issue is that muscle paralysis in SCI restricts the ability to achieve the levels of exercise that is necessary for broad analgesic, anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective benefits. Arm exercise can have some effects on heart and lung capacity, but the small muscle mass is insufficient to produce more than modest aerobic work. With functional electrical stimulation (FES), leg muscles that are paralyzed can be made to contract, thereby allowing more of the body to be exercised. The full rowing stroke is produced by both the (stimulated) legs and arms, increasing the active muscle mass and resulting in an aerobic work-out that is intensive enough to improve heart, lung, and - maybe - brain function. In this clinical trial of sub-acute spinal cord injured subjects, the investigators will study how 12 weeks of FES-RT, in comparisons to 12 weeks of wait-list, changes pain, brain structure, endogenous opioid function and brain inflammation. The investigators will measure changes using positron emission tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. The investigators hypothesize a decrease in pain interference, an increase in hippocampal volume, increased endogenous opioid transmission in the periaqueductal gray, and decreased hippocampus neuroinflammation.
The rate of obesity in the United States is high and is a risk factor for concurrent cognitive impairment and, in late life, dementias such as Alzheimer's disease. In order to prevent or reduce cognitive impairment, the mechanism underlying the link between obesity and cognitive impairment must be understood. The current study aims to provide preliminary data on whether brain inflammation occurs in obesity and relates to cognitive deficits using magnetic resonance neuroimaging and cognitive testing. It is hypothesized that obese individuals will have greater brain inflammation and lower cognitive function compared to normal-weight individuals. Further, it is predicted that brain inflammation will relate to cognitive function and plasma indicators of inflammation in obese individuals.
The proposal aims to determine if non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation(nVNS) will alter: 1) the peripheral inflammatory biomarker profile, 2) the neural correlates of change in pain stimuli and 3) PTSD symptom severity and 4) life quality and function in Veterans with PTSD. The planned inflammatory biomarker and neuroimaging results can 1) promote knowledge of inflammatory and neurobiological mechanisms that contribute to pain in PTSD, and 2) advance the ability to provide targeted neuromodulation based interventions that support improved life quality and function for Veterans. These goals are consistent with the VA's mission to sponsor research examining variables related to pathogenesis, diagnosis, and(ultimately) treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders.
This research study will evaluate the effectiveness and estimate the feasibility of administering an investigational drug called 'CN-105' (the study drug), to prevent postoperative cognitive decline, delirium (serious confusion) and underlying brain inflammatory and brain activity changes in adults 60 years and older undergoing surgery.
Obesity is associated with alterations in brain structure and cognitive impairment and is a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia. The mechanisms underlying obesity related decline in cognitive function are not fully understood. The long-term goal of this project is to understand how obesity affects cognitive function, with the aim to develop new ways to prevent and treat obesity related cognitive decline
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are highly disabling, persistent neurodevelopmental disorders. There are no available treatments for core symptoms of ASD or biologically-based clinical biomarkers. Emerging evidence indicates that levels of brain inflammation are increased in ASD. In particular, recent work implicates hyperactivity of microglial cells, the resident immune cells of the brain. However, the functional consequences of microglial activation remain unknown. This study will measure microglial activation in ASD using positron emission tomography (PET) brain imaging. Adult males with ASD (n=15) and healthy controls (n=15) will be recruited for this study and undergo comprehensive clinical and behavioral baseline assessment. All subjects will then undergo baseline PET imaging using a radiotracer that labels activated microglia. Subjects with ASD will then undergo 12-week open label treatment with minocycline, an FDA-approved antibiotic thought to block microglial activation. PET imaging will be repeated at 12 weeks to confirm target engagement. A subset of control subjects will also undergo repeat PET imaging to determine test-retest reliability. During minocycline treatment, ASD subjects will be evaluated every 2 weeks for safety, clinical impression, behavioral functioning, and measures of cognition. Results will provide important information regarding the relationship between levels of brain inflammation, cognitive and behavioral function in ASD.
Background: - Brain inflammation due to high alcohol intake may affect thinking, memory, and concentration. Researchers want to measure this using positron emission tomography (PET). Objective: - To study how excessive alcohol consumption affects brain function. Eligibility: * Adults 30-75 years old who are moderate or severe alcohol drinkers. * Healthy volunteers. Design: * Participants will be screened with medical history, physical exam, interview, and blood and urine tests. Their breath will be tested for alcohol and recent smoking. * Phase 1: * Participants will stay in the hospital 3 days. They will have blood and heart tests and daily urine tests. * A small plastic tube will be inserted by needle in each arm. One will go in a vein, the other in an artery. * Participants will have 2 PET scans with 2 different radioactive compounds. Participants will lie on a bed that slides in and out of the scanner with a cap on their head. * Participants will have magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. Participants will lie in the scanner either resting with their eyes open or while performing an attention task. * Participants will have tests of memory, attention, concentration, and thinking. They may answer questions, take tests, and perform simple actions. * Phase 2 of the study will only be done if Phase 1 results show brain inflammation. * Phase 2 will repeat Phase 1. * For healthy volunteers, Phase 2 will begin 3 weeks after Phase 1. * Other volunteers must not have alcohol for at least 3 weeks and stay in a hospital up to 4-6 weeks between Phase 1 and Phase 2. After Phase 2, they will have 5 follow-up calls over 3 months.
Background: - Studies have shown that inflammation plays an important role in depression. Brain inflammation may contribute to depression, and may make it more difficult to treat some kinds of depression with current therapies. Researchers want to use magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography (PET) scanning to study inflammation in the brain. To do so, they will use a contrast agent, which is a chemical that can show inflammation during an imaging study. Objectives: - To see if people with major depressive disorder have increased inflammation in the brain. Eligibility: - Individuals at least 18 years of age who have major depressive disorder. Design: * Participants will be screened with a physical exam and medical history. They will provide blood samples before the scanning sessions. * Participants will have a PET scan after the screening visit. They will have a dose of the contrast agent before the study. This scan will look for possible brain inflammation. * Participants will also have an MRI scan. This scan will take pictures of the brain for comparison studies. * Treatment will not be provided as part of this study.
This project uses a hybrid trial design to evaluate two biomedical interventions targeting the gut-brain axis. One intervention is portable Transcutaneous Vagus Nerve Stimulator, tVNS, that is hypothesized to stimulate the autonomic nervous system, resulting in decreased inflammation and improved cognition. The second intervention is a probiotic supplement intended to replace gut bacteria that are associated with dysbiosis in persons with HIV and alcohol consumption.
By doing this study, the investigator hopes to learn how the levels of important proteins involved in inflammation change over time in patients with acute brain injury. The total amount of time participants will be asked to volunteer for this study is approximately two hours over a five day period.
Hypothesis: aspirin attenuates inflammation in cerebral aneurysms and hence reduces the incidence of rupture. This effect can be monitored using the signal generated by macrophages (inflammatory biomarker) in ferumoxytol-enhanced MRI. Study aims: 1. Determine if daily aspirin intake (for three months) would obliterate/reduce ferumoxytol-enhanced MRI signal changes generated by macrophages in cerebral aneurysm wall. Fifteen patients with cerebral aneurysms \> 7 mm will be selected to enroll in this pilot study. 10 patients will be imaged at base line with ferumoxytol-enhanced MRI. Following that, they will take aspirin 81 mg daily and then re-imaged again at three months. This group will be compared to a control group of 5 patients where they will have the imagings studies performed at base line and at three months but will NOT take aspirin.
Background: - People with traumatic brain injury (TBI) often have inflammation in the brain. A protein called the translocator protein (TSPO) is often present with inflammation. Researchers want to see if a radioactive chemical known as \[11C\]PBR28 can be used to study TSPO and inflammation in the brain of people with TBI. Objectives: - To test whether \[11C\]PBR28 can be used to study changes in the brain after a traumatic brain injury. Eligibility: * Individuals at least 18 years of age who have had TBI and have had a brain scan that shows signs of inflammation. * Healthy volunteers at least 18 years of age. Design: * Participants will be screened with a physical exam and medical history. Blood and urine samples will be collected. * All participants will have two brain scans during an outpatient visit. A magnetic resonance imaging scan will study brain activity. A positron emission tomography (PET) scan will use \[11C\]PBR28 to look for signs of TSPO and brain inflammation. * Participants with TBI will have two PET scans within 10 days of the head injury, and a PET scan around 90 days after the injury. They may also have MRI scans under this or another study. Tests of thinking, memory, and concentration will be used to study the effects of the injury and inflammation
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is associated with significant, progressive cognitive decline. Key defects in mitochondrial fuel metabolism insulin resistance, inflammation and decreased brain glucose uptake are linked to AD. This trial will investigate the effects of supplementing glycine and N-acetylcysteine vs. alanine as placebo on these defects in AD, and examine the effects on cognition.
This pilot clinical trial study will assess the inflammatory response of brain tumors or other central nervous system conditions in pediatric and adult patients using ferumoxytol-enhanced MRI. Imaging features will be correlated with the number of inflammatory cells (macrophages) at histopathology. Determining the extent of inflammation associated with pathologies in the central nervous system may be helpful for diagnostic and prognostic purposes as well as monitoring treatment response of current and future immunotherapies.
Background: * The brain is protected by a barrier that keeps toxins in the blood from reaching the brain. However, this barrier can also keep useful medications from reaching the brain. P-glycoprotein (P-gp) is a brain protein that is part of the blood-brain barrier. The level of P-gp is higher in people with epilepsy than in people without epilepsy. These different levels of P-gp may explain why some people have seizures that do not respond well to medications. Researchers want to see if P-gp can affect the response to epilepsy medications. * Epilepsy may also be associated with brain inflammation. Researchers also want to look at the part of the brain affected by epilepsy to see if inflammation is present. Objectives: * To see if P-gp can affect the response to epilepsy medications. * To see if inflammation is present in the part of the brain affected by epilepsy. Eligibility: * \<TAB\>Individuals between 18 and 60 years of age who have temporal lobe epilepsy. We plan to study some patients whose seizures are well controlled by drugs, and some whose seizures are not controlled. * \<TAB\> * Healthy volunteers between 18 and 60 years of age. Design: * This study requires four or five visits to the NIH Clinical Center over the course of a year. The visits will be outpatient visits and will last from 2 to 5 hours. * Participants will be screened with a physical exam and medical history. Blood and urine samples will be collected. * All participants will have two positron emission tomography (PET) scans. The scans will take place during different visits. Different drugs will be used in each scan. One drug will be used to temporarily block the effect of P-gp in the brain. The other drug will show areas of inflammation in the brain. * Participants with epilepsy will have a third PET scan. This scan will also look at P-gp activity in the brain. However, it will not use the drug that blocks the effect of P-gp. * All participants will also have one magnetic resonance imaging scan. This scan will help show brain function.
The goal of this clinical trial is to determine the effectiveness of using a freeze-dried wild blueberry powder on cardiometabolic health, cognitive function, and gut microbiota composition in adult women with prediabetes.
The purpose of the study is to determine the effectiveness of wild blueberries on cardiovascular health, cognitive function, and gut microbiota composition in non-Hispanic Black and White adults with elevated blood pressure.
Traumatic injury followed by critical illness provokes pathophysiologic changes in the bone marrow and the gut that contribute to persistent anemia and changes in the microbiome which significantly impact long-term recovery. This project will define the interactions between the stress, chronic inflammation, bone marrow dysfunction, and an altered microbiome which will provide a strong foundation for future clinical interventions to help improve outcomes following severe trauma.
Investigators propose to study youth across the spectrum of body mass index (BMI) and dysglycemia. This approach will allow investigators to disentangle the relationship of key features of type 2 diabetes (T2D) risk (e.g. obesity) with intermediary physiologic changes (e.g. insulin resistance, inflammation, β-cell dysfunction and dysglycemia) that pose a risk for the brain. Investigators will determine which of these factors are most associated with differences in brain structure and function among groups, over time, and how these effects differ from normal neurodevelopment.
In this study the investigators will assess the ability of Natalizumab, a medication given to treat multiple sclerosis (MS), to restore blood brain barrier integrity and repair subtle leakages of the blood brain barrier (BBB).
This observational study aims to improve our understanding of how legal market cannabis use impacts acute and long-term alcohol use, the microbiota-gut-brain-axis (MGBA), and neurobehavioral alcohol use phenotypes such as impulsivity, impaired cognitive functioning, and craving, among individuals who regularly use both alcohol and cannabis. Over a period of one month, subjects will participate in this three-visit study. Blood samples will be collected to allow for the assessment of inflammatory markers and cannabinoids, a fecal sample will be collected to allow for the analysis of the gut microbiome, and participants will complete cognitive and impulsivity tasks and provide craving ratings during the course of an alcohol self-administration procedure. Subjects will also participate in two 14-day daily diary data collection periods between lab sessions. Daily diary data collection will be used to assess the effects of cannabis use on alcohol use and craving longitudinally.
Background: COVID-19 virus infection differs among people. Some people have no or mild symptoms. For others, COVID-19 is life threatening and causes damage to the body s organs. Researchers want to better understand the virus to learn how to kill it. Objective: To understand how the COVID-19 virus causes wide differences in how sick one can become from the infection. Eligibility: People ages 18-80 with COVID-19 infection Design: Participants will be screened with a review of their medical records. Participants who enter the study at the beginning of their COVID-19 infection will stay in the hospital until they are healthy enough to go home. Those who enter after they have recovered may need to stay in the hospital 1-2 nights to perform the study tests. Participants will have MRI and CT scans of the brain, heart, and lungs. They will lie in a machine that takes pictures of the body. For the MRI, soft padding or a coil will be placed around their head and chest. They may receive a dye injected into a vein. Participants will have an ultrasound of the kidneys and heart. Participants will provide blood and urine samples. They will provide nasal swabs. Participants will have a bronchoscopy. A thin tube will be placed through the nose or mouth into the airway. Saltwater will be squirted into the lungs and removed by suction. Participants may provide a spinal fluid sample. A needle injected into the spinal canal will obtain fluid. Participants will have lung and heart function tests. At various points after recovery, participants will repeat many of these tests. ...
Background: About 5 million adults in the U.S. have Alzheimer s disease or another adult-onset neurodegenerative disorder. Many studies have found that inflammation in the brain contributes to these diseases. Researchers want to find a better way to measure this inflammation. Objective: To learn whether COX-1 and/or COX-2 is elevated in the brains of individuals with neurodegenerative brain disease compared to healthy volunteers. Eligibility: Adults age 18 years and older in good general health who have an adult-onset neurodegenerative dementia, such as AD, FTD, corticobasal syndrome, Huntington s disease, or MCI, ALS and healthy adult volunteers enrolled in protocols 01-M-0254 or 17-M-0181. Design: Participants will be screened with medical history, physical exam with vital signs, and lab tests. They will have a neuropsychological testing. Their heart function will be measured. Participants will have a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. The MRI scanner is a metal tube surrounded by a strong magnetic field. Participants will lie on a table that slides in and out of the tube. The machine makes noise. Participants will get earplugs. Participants will have 2 PET scans. They will be injected with the study drugs through an intravenous catheter placed in an arm vein. The PET scanner is shaped like a doughnut. Participants will lie on a bed that slides in and out of the scanner. A plastic mask will be molded to their head to keep them from moving. A thin plastic tube will be put into an artery at the wrist or elbow crease area. This will be used to draw blood during the scan. Participants will have 2-5 study visits. Participation lasts 1 week to 4 months, depending on scheduling.
This study plans to evaluate the time course of inflammation in the brain after a moderate to severe traumatic brain injury using positron emission tomography (PET) brain imaging. Patients will undergo PET scans of the brain at two weeks and two months after injury to measure neuro-inflammation. The results of the PET scans will be analyzed and correlated with the risk of post-traumatic epilepsy.
We are trying to understand what causes bipolar disorder and how medications treat bipolar depression. Particularly, we are looking at the importance of inflammation in the process. If you participate, you will have two different brain scans (MRI and PET scan). You will also have an experimental treatment for your depression named N-acetyl cysteine (NAC). The study is funded by the Columbia University Irving Institute to improve the treatment of bipolar disorder. Please contact us if you are interested in participating. Up to $600 in compensation if you are eligible and choose to participate. Up to 6 months of treatment for depression at no cost to you.
Project 3 of the PPG grant "Stress and Atherosclerotic Plaque Macrophages A Systems Biology Approach," funded by the NHLBI, examines the relationship between psychosocial stress and atherosclerotic inflammation, cell proliferation and burden using novel PET/MRI. Individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder, trauma controls and healthy controls will be recruited into a two-center clinical study. The study team will use functional MRI to examine the relationship between activation of fear circuits in the brain and relate these data to hematopoietic system activation, and vascular inflammation measured by FDG-PET, and atherosclerotic burden measured by MRI.