11 Clinical Trials for Various Conditions
Background: - Previous research has shown that dopamine, a brain chemical, is involved in decision making. Different genes influence how much dopamine people have in their brains and how that affects their behavior. Researchers will study if genes associated with dopamine affect decision making and impulsiveness. All participants will take tests; some will have brain images taken. Researchers will study the test responses and images; they will look for how differences in these genes affect different types of decision making. Objectives: - To see if genes involved in a brain chemical, dopamine, are related to impulsiveness on behavioral tests. Eligibility: - Healthy adults ages 18 to 55. Design: * Participants will be screened with a medical history and physical exam. * All participants in this study will have at least 1 outpatient visit to the NIH Clinical Center. Each visit will last 2 4 hours. At the first visit: * A blood sample will be taken only from participants that have not been previously enrolled in 95-M-0150 * Participants will be given tests of their memory, attention, concentration, and thinking. * Some participants will have a second visit. It will be scheduled as soon as possible after the first. At the second visit: * Participants will have an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging). They will have to lie in a scanner for up to 2 hours. The MRI uses magnets, radio waves, and computers to produce detailed pictures of the brain. * Participants will repeat the tests from the first visit. Some will be done during the MRI.
Background: - Small differences in genes may alter responses to drugs. One gene that has different forms is the mu opioid receptor gene. People with one form of this gene are more sensitive to alcohol. People with a different form are sometimes more sensitive to pain. Morphine and other prescription pain pills produce pain relief by acting at the mu opioid receptor. Researchers want to see the effect of morphine on brain reward and subjective effects. Morphine is a strong but short-acting pain medication that is sometimes used for anesthesia during surgery. Objectives: - To compare the effect of morphine on brain measures of dopamine release using imaging. Eligibility: - Individuals between 21 and 55 years of age who have previously taken pain pills prescribed to treat pain from a medical or dental procedure. Design: * This study has a screening phase and a study phase. The screening phase involves one or two visits of 5 to 6 hours. The study phase consists of 4 study visits. Each study visit will take about 8 hours. * Participants will be screened with a medical and psychiatric history and physical exam. They will be asked about drinking and drug-taking history, and any family history of alcoholism or drug abuse. Blood, urine, and breath samples will be collected. * During the first study visit, an MRI scan may be performed, questionnaires completed, and a blood sample collected for genetic testing. * During study visit 2, participants will test their pain sensitivity by placing one hand in cold water. Pupil diameter will be measured after the sensitivity test. After a blood sample is taken, participants will receive the morphine or a salt solution. The sensitivity test and pupil diameter test will be repeated. Final blood samples will be collected. A brief physical exam will also be performed. * During study visits 3 and 4, participants will receive morphine or a salt solution during a PET scan. Questionnaires to assess subjective effects will be administered. Final blood samples will be collected. A brief physical exam will also be performed. * Participants will stay in the clinic until the effects of the drug have worn off after study visits 2, 3, and 4. * About 1 week after the study session, participants will have a follow-up phone call.
Background: - Differences in peoples genes can make them respond to drugs in different ways. Methadone and buprenorphine are two drugs used to treat drug addiction. A study showed that African Americans with a certain genetic marker did better using one kind of drug treatment over the other. Researchers want to see if they can repeat these findings. They also want to study other things that affect how well people do in treatment. Objective: - To see if certain genetic markers and other facts about a person s life can predict how well they do in treatment for addiction to opioids and cocaine. Eligibility: - African American adults age 18 and over. They must be former or current participants in an Archway Treatment Clinic study. They must have been on a stable dose of either study drug for at least 12 weeks. They also must have given urine samples regularly for at least 10 weeks. Design: * Participants will come to the clinic for 1 visit lasting about 2 hours. * Participants will give 1 teaspoon of blood for genetic testing. They will be asked if their sample can be used in future studies. * If researchers cannot get enough blood, they will do a cheek swab. This will collect skin cells for genetic testing. * Participants will fill out 3 questionnaires. * Results of genetic testing and answers to questionnaires will be kept private.
The purpose of the study is to assess the status of brain-derived neurotrophic factor brain (BDNF) and how the brain behaves in response to skill acquisition. Specifically we will investigate the relationship of the status of BDNF with cortical excitability changes and learning that occur during a motor training paradigm. We aim to 1) determine cortical excitability changes by using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) before and after training; 2) to determine finger tracking accuracy before and after training; and 3) determine the presence of BDNF polymorphism in each participant. We are testing healthy adults in this study, and eventually would like to apply to persons who have neurologic disorders such as stroke or dystonia. By applying a magnetic field to the outside of the head, electrical currents are produced within the brain that can stimulate brain tissue. Using TMS, the brain can be studied to gain a greater understanding of the mechanisms associated with cortical excitability in healthy and patient populations. There is limited knowledge of what influence genetic biomarkers such as BDNF have on cortical excitability changes within the cortex following learning. Studies have indicated that people without this certain gene are less likely to show changes in brain excitability during TMS and during motor learning than people with this gene
Goal: The primary goal of this study is to longitudinally investigate, in head and neck cancer (HNC) patients, the potential fibrosis-lymphedema continuum. Specifically, we will examine the development, patterns, progression, and prevalence of late-effect fibrosis and/or lymphedema, explore potential biological correlatives including pro-inflammatory cytokines and genetic polymorphisms, and evaluate the relationship among late-effect fibrosis and/or lymphedema and select psychosocial stressors that potentially interact with cytokine pathways. H: A minimum of 20 percent of HNC patients will experience late-effect fibrosis and/or lymphedema. H: We will be able to differentiate characteristics patterns of the development of late-effect fibrosis and/or lymphedema. H: We will be able to differentiate patterns of symptoms associated with late-effect fibrosis and/or lymphedema. H: We will be able to differentiate patterns of inflammatory response and the development of late-effect fibrosis and/or lymphedema. H: Select polymorphisms will increase the likelihood of development of late-effect fibrosis and/or lymphedema. H: Incidence and severity of late-effect fibrosis and/or lymphedema will correlate with total dose of radiation to involved anatomical site. H: HNC patients with fibrosis and/or lymphedema experience greater levels of depression and social withdrawal than those without these conditions.
Background: People with the brain disease AUD (alcohol use disorder) have a serious problem with drinking. Researchers want to study how different people react to alcohol, and how genes affect this. They will focus on a nicotine receptor gene that may increase a person s AUD risk. Objectives: To see if people with variations of a nicotine receptor gene take alcohol differently and have different brain responses to alcohol cues. Eligibility: Healthy adults ages 21 - 60. This study includes smokers and non-smokers. Design: Participation will be based on evaluation under the NIAAA natural history protocol (14-AA-0181) or a screening visit under this protocol. Participants will have two 9-hour visits. They must have no alcohol or non-prescription drugs before all visits and no food or drink before the first visit. At every visit, participants will: * Get a light meal * Have breath and urine tests * Get taxi rides there and back At visits 1, participants will: * Have a thin plastic tube inserted in an arm and connected to a pump for alcohol infusion. * Have sensors on their chest to monitor heart rate. * Sit in a chair for 2.5 hours and get alcohol by pushing a button. Their breath alcohol level will be monitored. * Answer questions about mood and effects of alcohol * Give blood samples * Relax at the clinic while their breath alcohol level drops At visit 2, participants will: * Answer questions and do computer tests * Have an alcoholic drink and a snack * Have a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. They will lie in a machine that takes pictures of the brain. They will do computer tasks. * Have another drink and snack * Relax until their alcohol level drops Participants will have a follow-up call after each visit.
Near fatal asthma exacerbations are one of the most common causes of critical illness in children, accounting for approximately ten thousand intensive care unit (ICU) admissions per year in the United States. Even children with intermittent or mild baseline asthma can develop these severe exacerbations; however, there are few studies evaluating the risk factors associated with the development of near fatal asthma exacerbations in children. Inhaled β2-adrenergic receptor (ADRβ2) agonist therapy is the foundation of therapy for acute asthma and genetic variations of this receptor have been shown to affect response to ADRβ2 agonist therapy in this population. The investigators hypothesis is that a child's ADRβ2 genotype is associated with the development of a near fatal asthma exacerbation.
Bronchiolitis is a significant cause of morbidity and hospitalization in children, accounting for approximately 125,000 hospitalizations per year in the U.S. Recently, genetic variations of the β2-adrenergic receptor (β2-AR) have been shown to influence response to β2-AR agonist therapy in children with asthma. We suspect that genetic variations of the β2-AR also affect response to β2-AR agonist therapy in children with bronchiolitis.
The purpose of this study is to determine to what extent CYP2B6, CYP3A4, and MDR1 polymorphisms affect the metabolism of methadone.
Atherosclerosis is a condition that occurs when fatty deposits build up along the inner walls of arteries. New strategies are needed to prevent and treat atherosclerosis. The purpose of this study is to analyze the DNA of participants in two ongoing studies to identify genetic variations responsible for the development of atherosclerosis.
The renin angiotensin system is a complex process involving hormones and enzymes that regulate blood volume and blood pressure. The hormone angiotensin II is responsible for making blood vessels narrow or constrict. Angiotensin II is found in the blood and can attach to special sites called receptors on blood vessel walls. These receptors are programmed to accept angiotensin II and cause a constriction of the blood vessel. This function is found in the genetic information of each individual person. Occasionally patients have changes in their genes related to angiotensin II receptors. These changes may result in the receptors acting differently to angiotensin II, which may affect the function of blood vessels. This study is designed to improve researchers understanding of the physiological effects on blood vessels associated with mutations of the genes responsible for angiotensin II receptor function.