25 Clinical Trials for Various Conditions
Objective- To use fMRI to compare brain activity at rest and during memory and decision making tasks in normal children and in children exposed in utero to drugs of abuse. Study population- All participants will be 14-20 year-olds enrolled in an ongoing longitudinal follow up study of children exposed to drugs of abuse in utero funded by NIH. A subgroup of this study cohort will be invited to participate based on added criteria needed for scanning studies, such as absence of metal in the body, no significant CNS disease, and ability to tolerate the scanning environment. Design- Participants will undergo fMRI scans while performing a memory task, a decision making task and at rest. Data from participants in the current study may be combined with those from a previous study (NIDA protocol 417) which now reside in our repository protocol, 8002 and NIDA protocol 455. Outcome measures- The primary outcome measures will be the difference in BOLD fMRI activation between drug-exposed participants and those without prenatal exposure to drugs of abuse.
The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of smoked marijuana on both risk taking and decision making tasks.
Adolescence is a time of biological and behavioral changes that can lead to risky and dangerous behaviors, and African-American youth are highly vulnerable to the consequences of risky behavior, including HIV/AIDS and violence, leading to premature death. The investigators previously showed that an intervention program reduces HIV-risk vulnerability behaviors in many African-American youth. The investigators aim to measure how the program affects different regions of the brain in order to better prevent or reduce such risky behaviors among African-American youth.
The purpose of this project is to develop and evaluate an online mentoring and skill-building program for transgender and/or gender minority youth (TGMY) ages 14 to 18, the Teen Connection Project (TCP). The TCP includes seven 90-minute sessions facilitated by transgender and/or gender minority (TGM) adults (who are also mentors). TGMY will be paired with a TGM adult mentor, based on their shared interests. Mentors and mentees will participate together in each session along with other mentors and mentees. Mentors will direct activities and discussion to promote TGMY social-emotional skills. The TCP sessions will include one-on-one mentor-mentee break-out sessions.
As most adolescents visit a healthcare provider once a year, health behavior change interventions linked to clinic-based health information technologies hold significant promise for improving healthcare quality and subsequent behavioral health outcomes for adolescents (Baird, 2014, Harris, 2017). Recognizing the potential to leverage recent advances in machine learning and interactive narrative environments, the investigators are now well positioned to design health behavior change systems that extend the reach of clinicians to realize significant impacts on behavior change for adolescent preventive health. The proposed project centers on the design, development, and evaluation of a clinically-integrated health behavior change system for adolescents. CHANGEGRADIENTS will introduce an innovative reinforcement learning-based feedback loop in which adolescent patients interact with personalized behavior change interactive narratives that are dynamically personalized and realized in a rich narrative-centered virtual environment. CHANGEGRADIENTS will iteratively improve its behavior change models using policy gradient methods for Reinforcement Learning (RL) designed to optimize adolescents' achieved behavior change outcomes. This in turn will enable CHANGEGRADIENTS to generate more effective behavior change narratives, which will then lead to further improved behavior change outcomes. With a focus on risky behaviors and an emphasis on alcohol use, adolescents will interact with CHANGEGRADIENTS to develop an experiential understanding of the dynamics and consequences of their alcohol use decisions. The proposed project holds significant transformative potential for (1) producing theoretical and practical advances in how to realize significant impacts on adolescent health behavior change through novel interactive narrative technologies integrated with policy-based reinforcement learning, (2) devising sample-efficient policy gradient methods for RL that produce personalized behavior change experiences by integrating theoretically based models of health behavior change with data-driven models of interactive narrative generation, and (3) promoting new models for integrating personalized health behavior change technologies into clinical care that extend the effective reach of clinicians.
Reward processing will be examined in prenatally exposed emerging adults in a longitudinal design. Participants will be followed for one year to see if neural markers of reward processing prospectively predict risk-taking behavior.
The proposed research will be the first study to focus on experimentally manipulating both injunctive and descriptive norms on social networking sites in order to elucidate the relationship between alcohol and abstainer displays on social networking sites and subsequent alcohol cognitions, use, and related negative consequences. Based on literature focusing on developmentally appropriate health models for adolescents, the Prototype Willingness Model (PWM) assumes that health-risk behaviors occur either when individuals have developed intentions to engage in a risk behavior (and these intentions vary as a function of attitudes and perceived injunctive norms) or through willingness to engage in risks (which varies as a function of perceived vulnerability to negative consequences, perceived descriptive norms , and prototypes). To fully understand the relationships between alcohol abstaining displays on social networking sites, we will examine 1) the role of descriptive and injunctive abstainer and user norms, when experimentally manipulated with SNS profiles, on willingness and intentions, subsequent alcohol use and related negative consequences among adolescents (age 1 5-20) 2) whether intentions and willingness mediate the relation between our experimental manipulation and subsequent alcohol use and negative consequences and whether 3) individual differences in social influence moderate the effect of the experimental manipulation on intentions, willingness, alcohol use, and negative consequences. We will test these aims by recruiting a community sample of adolescents (N = 300), living in the greater Seattle metropolitan area. Participants will complete a web-based baseline assessment and participate in an in-person experimental manipulation in which they are either assigned to see same-sex social networking site profiles of alcohol abstainers, abstainers +users, or a control condition where neither user or abstainer information will be provided. Immediately after the manipulation, participants will answer a series of questions about the profiles they just viewed and their alcohol-related cognitions. Participants will also complete a one-month in person follow up assessment to test for impacts on intentions, willingness, alcohol use, and related negative consequences. Additionally, individual differences in social influence will be examined as possible moderators o f the relationship between SNS-portrayed norms and our primary outcomes. This study is both significant and innovative in that it uses a theoretical perspective to experimentally test the impact of alcohol content, in particular abstainer norms, on Facebook on adolescent alcohol use and related cognitions. The results have the potential to inform preventative interventions while addressing NIH priorities.
The purpose of this study is to: 1. test the effect of a smartphone enhanced LETS ACT (LETS ACT-SE) on frequency of substance use 2. use functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to test the relationship between neuromarkers of reward sensitivity on frequency of substance use.
This study will examine the effectiveness of supportive-expressive group therapy plus education compared with an educational intervention in improving the quality of life and promoting health-enhancing behavior of men and women living with HIV or AIDS.
The investigators hope to develop a treatment for suicidal ideation (SI), impulsivity and functional impairments (such as difficulties in social and work settings) that occur after a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). These conditions have been shown to be linked. The investigators are using a high-powered magnetic pulse, called intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) applied to the head to see if it can improve these symptoms. The high-powered magnetic pulse causes certain cells in the brain to activate, which seems to strengthen connections between parts of the brain. The purpose of this research is to gather early information on the safety and effectiveness of iTBS provided to the front of the head for impulsivity, SI and functional deficits after mTBI. The investigators plan to use the data collected in this study to develop larger studies in the future. iTBS is FDA approved, but not for these specific symptoms, or in the specific location the investigators are placing it. The investigators are testing to see if its effective for the above conditions when applied to the front of the head.
The aim of this study is to determine whether the drug aspirin has effects on emotional reactivity, emotional memory, and risk-taking behaviors.
The present study will evaluate college students (N=100) from 2- and 4-year colleges/universities between 21-24 years old to assess anxiety, affect, broad social motives (BSM) and peer group influences on drinking and other risk-taking behaviors. This study will employ two sound scientific methods for testing behavior during drinking events (i.e., lab alcohol administration and daily diary) and use novel strategies to compare results of these two methods in the same sample. Using an ad-lib drinking paradigm, students' risk-taking, as measured by the Balloon Analogue Risk Task (BART), will be assessed when alone and during one of two randomly assigned peer group conditions (close friends or new peers). Participants will be allowed to freely drink (within safety limits) with their peer group prior to completing the BART again. These same students will complete daily electronic diaries on four weekends (Thursday - Sunday; total 24 assessments) regarding BSM, motives to drink, peers in their social group, alcohol use and consequences, and if/how their social group changed (e.g., few close friends to large party with many new peers) during the drinking event. Competing hypotheses will be tested such that: 1) anxiety is expected to be a stronger predictor of drinking behavior and greater differences in risk-taking in the new peer condition than close friend condition or 2) BSM is expected to be a stronger predictor of drinking behavior and greater differences in risk-taking in the close friend condition than new peers condition. Results are expected to be replicated in the daily diary reports. Further, this multimethod approach will allow us to evaluate how behavior assessed in the lab predicts naturally occurring behaviors in an uncontrolled setting. For example, the investigators will assess whether greater increases in self-reported risk-taking from baseline to after entering peer groups in the bar lab setting will predict heavier drinking on nights when most drinking companions are close friends reported during daily diary.
This pragmatic trial of an HIV prevention program focuses on HIV risk-reduction in men who have sex with men (MSM) ages 13-18. The design is a three-tiered, internet-based HIV prevention intervention series that uses a sequential multiple assignment randomized trial (SMART) to track adolescent MSM reporting varying degree of sexual risk.The program package includes: (1-low risk) a universally-delivered, brief, online sexual health education program designed for sexual and gender minority youth regardless of whether they are sexually active (Queer Sex Ed); (2-middle risk) a more intensive online intervention designed for diverse AMSM engaging in HIV transmission risk behaviors (Keep It Up!), and (3-high risk) the most intensive is a motivational interviewing (MI) intervention that will be delivered by MI therapists via online videochat (Young Men's Health Project).
The proposed study is a test of the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a brief motivational interview style intervention. The intervention will take place in the pediatric emergency department of the Boston University Medical Center by a trained interventionist and will follow an intervention manual developed by a team of dating abuse and brief intervention experts. The study will involve two randomized groups of youth age 15-19: one group will receive the intervention and the other will not. The study will compare changes in data from baseline to 3- and 6-month follow-up for those in both groups. Outcomes including dating abused related knowledge, attitudes about the use of violence to resolve conflict, and dating abuse behavior (perpetration and/or victimization) will be assessed. The hypothesis of this study is that youth who receive the intervention will show improvements in dating abuse related knowledge, attitudes and behavior that are maintained for 6 months, while those in the control group will show no similar change.
Background: * Several studies of risk perception have demonstrated a common bias known as unrealistic optimism, in which individuals feel they are less likely than other people to experience unpleasant or harmful events in their lives, but more likely to experience pleasant or beneficial events. * Previous research has indicated that individuals with schizophrenia have less of a sense of unrealistic optimism about adverse events than individuals without schizophrenia. However, research on risk perception in schizophrenia is sparse, primarily reporting on behaviors and decisions in the laboratory that likely are influenced by risk perception. * Risk perception among substance users may be viewed in two separate categories: perception of vulnerability to adverse events and perception of vulnerability to negative outcomes associated with substance use. Research in both areas has yielded mixed results. Researchers are interested in studying the connections among schizophrenia, addiction, and risk perception in order to develop better drug use prevention and treatment programs for people with and without schizophrenia. Objectives: - To compare unrealistic optimism bias in people with and without schizophrenia and/or drug dependence, and its association with actual risky behavior. Eligibility: * Individuals between 18 and 64 years of age who fall into one of the following study categories: * diagnoses of both drug dependence (marijuana or cocaine) and schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorder * diagnosis of drug dependence only (marijuana or cocaine) * diagnosis of schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorder only * healthy volunteers with no history of drug use or serious mental disorder Design: * The study will require a single visit to the research center for a 5- to 6-hour session. * Participants will complete questionnaires on medical and behavioral history, complete tests of thinking skills like memory and attention, complete a brief computerized decision-making task, and answer questions about risk perception. * Participants will also provide urine samples and breath carbon monoxide measurements to test for recent use of tobacco and other substances.
The purpose of the this study is to compare pathological gamblers versus non-pathological gamblers using tests that measure different components of impulsivity. We aim to invite a total of 120 individuals to participate in this study. Impulsivity has been described as the cognitive inability to delay gratification, a failure to inhibit behavioral action or acting without forethought about consequences. Impulsivity has also been seen as a personality trait characterized by risk-taking or sensation seeking behavior. Pathological gamblers demonstrate aspects of impulsivity; they act without thinking, have difficult inhibiting urges to gamble and desire immediate gratification. The goal of this project is to clarify which components of impulsivity are associated with pathological gambling. Non-treatment seeking, pathological gamblers and controls will be recruited from the community and local casinos. Each participant will be administered a battery of tests that represent different operational definitions of impulsivity.
This study will evaluate the effectiveness of a parent-based intervention in reducing sexual risk behavior in high-risk Latino and African-American adolescents.
The purpose of this program evaluation is to determine whether the Health Love Workshop, a group-level HIV behavioral intervention, reduces HIV-related sex risk behaviors and increases HIV protective behaviors of African American women and women of African descent. The intent of this program is to support an evaluation of the efficacy of the intervention and to provide feedback to the implementing organization to increase intervention effectiveness.
The purpose of this program evaluation is to determine whether the Preventing AIDS Through Live Movement and Sound (PALMS) group-level intervention is effective in reducing HIV sex risk behaviors and increasing HIV testing of high-risk, incarcerated or adjudicated youth. The intent of this program is to support the evaluation of an existing intervention and provide feedback to the implementing organization for improved program effectiveness, not to conduct research.
The purpose of this program evaluation is to determine whether the "Many Men, Many Voices" HIV/STD prevention intervention is effective in reducing HIV sex risk behaviors and increasing HIV testing among African-American men who have sex with men (MSM), who may or may not self-identify as gay. The intent of this program is to support the evaluation of an existing intervention and provide feedback to the implementing organization for improved program effectiveness, not to conduct research.
The goal of this study is to enhance the mother's role in promoting avoidance of sexual risks and problem behaviors in 6- to 12-year-old children. Consenting mothers will attend a 10-session program designed to enhance the quality of mother-child communication, identify sexual risks, and increase parental monitoring and self-efficacy.
Injection drug use is the major mode of HIV transmission in many countries. Injection drug users (IDUs) transmit HIV not only through shared drug injection equipment but also through heterosexual and homosexual transmission and mother-to-child transmission. Studies have shown that peer education programs can reduce HIV risk behavior in IDUs. However, it is not known if reduced HIV risk behavior leads to fewer HIV infections. The purpose of this study is to find out if a peer education program can reduce the number of new HIV infections by changing the behavior of IDUs and their HIV risk contacts.
The purpose of this study is to see if a behavioral intervention, a special kind of counseling, can reduce the risk of HIV infection in men who have sex with men. The behavioral intervention will be compared to the standard risk reduction counseling that is given before and after getting an HIV test. In standard pre- and post-test counseling, everyone is told the same things about how to prevent HIV. The behavioral intervention used in this study is designed to help each individual prevent HIV according to his specific problems and needs.
The purpose of this study is to estimate the rate at which a certain population becomes infected with HIV. The individuals examined in this study are people who are expected to take part in future studies of HIV vaccines and nonvaccine HIV prevention studies. This study also examines the chances of becoming HIV-positive based on certain risk factors under conditions that are similar to the conditions that would exist in HIV vaccine and non-HIV prevention studies. Before studying the effectiveness of a potential HIV vaccine, it is important to learn about the range of HIV risk behaviors in the potential participants of these studies. The probability of HIV infection associated with these risk behaviors should also be examined. This study is designed to increase the ability of HIVNET to put into place HIV prevention trials, to increase the diversity of trial participants, and to target populations at highest risk for HIV infection.
The purpose of this study is to find out whether three different anti-HIV vaccines are safe and whether they help prevent HIV infection. These vaccines are called vCP205, vCP1433, and vCP1452. Some patients also receive another anti-HIV vaccine, gp160. The vaccines are made up of small pieces of HIV, which help the body learn to recognize and destroy HIV. You cannot get HIV from these vaccines. There are two different ways a vaccine can protect the body from infection. First, a vaccine may help the immune system make antibodies, which are proteins that recognize invading viruses or bacteria. Second, a vaccine may help the body make immune cells that destroy infected cells. The second type of vaccine is more powerful against HIV. In this study, doctors will see whether vCP205, vCP1433, vCP1452, and gp160 are good vaccines by seeing whether they help the body make immune cells.