8 Clinical Trials for Various Conditions
Brain-to-brain synchrony will be measured between pairs of subjects with different levels of similarity of DNA and social interactions
Mental health vulnerability due to stress is increased in People of African Descent (PADs) in America due to disproportionate effects of racism, poverty, education, and criminal justice sentencing. Various meditation and mindfulness approaches have provided evidence of measured reductions in multiple negative dimensions of stress. However, the majority of these studies do not have an adequate representation of PADs or other marginalized groups and are not designed to be culturally relevant or community based. Music has been shown to alleviate multiple symptoms of stress and has been shown to be a preferred and effective support for meditation and mindfulness. However, its role in stress management in PADs engaged in meditation or mindfulness is seldom studied. This study aims to evaluate the effects of a virtual, community-based music mindfulness program on stress management in PAD community members with anxiety and depression during COVID19. Component 2d. Social Perception Tasks: Participants may be asked to take part in social perception tasks in which they will be asked to indicate their social perception and connection felt with various partners.
The goal of this clinical study is to learn about the utility and performance of the EarliPoint System (™): Evaluation for Autism Spectrum Disorder to diagnose and assess autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in children ages 31-96 months (2.5 - 7 years chronological age). The main questions it aims to answer are: 1. To determine the sensitivity and specificity of the EarliPoint device (test) compared to Expert Clinician Diagnosis (ECD) using gold-standard clinical reference assessments in the target age-expanded population. 2. To determine the association between the EarliPoint Verbal Ability Index score and the clinical measures of verbal ability as measured by the Differential Ability Scales (DAS-II). 3. To determine the association between the EarliPoint Nonverbal Ability Index score and the clinical measures of non-verbal abilities as measured by the Differential Ability Scales (DAS-II). 4. To determine the association between the EarliPoint Social Disability Index score and the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, second edition (ADOS-II) Overall Total Score. 5. To determine the association between the EarliPoint Expressive Language Ability Index score and the clinical measures of verbal ability as measured by the Differential Ability Scales (DAS-II). 6. To determine the association between the EarliPoint Receptive Language Ability Index score and the clinical measures of verbal ability as measured by the Differential Ability Scales (DAS-II). 7. To estimate the incidence of adverse device effects associated with the use of the EarliPoint device.
Assess the impact of a remote, app-delivered digital meditation intervention on emotional well-being of lonely older adults. Neuroimaging, electrophysiological (EEG), and autonomic physiology will be used to assess the neural correlates of the intervention. EEG and autonomic physiology will be collected while participants watch 30 min of an awe-inspiring movie. fMRI and autonomic physiology will be collected in the context of a social exploration/exploitation task.
The proposed study draws on prior research to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability and explore preliminary effectiveness of Coffee and Family Education and Support, Version (CAFES2) using a pilot randomized type 1 hybrid effectiveness-implementation design. CAFES2 is a peer-led family and social strengthening multiple family group intervention that is designed to respond to multi-level needs of refugee families. Results of the trial will contribute to the emerging evidence base on family-based mental health interventions for refugee and newcomer communities. The trial will also generate new insights regarding implementation strategies needed to promote successful delivery of services by peer providers and the unique role of human-centered design practices for adaptation of mental health and psychosocial interventions.
The main purpose of this study is to examine the effects of infliximab on measures related to depression symptoms. Infliximab is also known by its brand name Remicade. Infliximab, or Remicade, is given to by an intravenous (IV) needle and is currently used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn's disease. Infliximab is thought to help these conditions because it reduces inflammation in the body. Infliximab (Remicade) reduces inflammation by blocking a chemical in the body called tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha. This chemical produces inflammation. Inflammatory chemicals in the body like TNF-alpha appear to be increased in some people with major depression. Researchers believe that a drug like infliximab, which blocks TNF-alpha, may be helpful in treating depression. This is a double-blind, placebo-controlled study in which participants will be randomized to receive one infusion of infliximab or placebo. The study will assess neuroimaging measures of corticostriatal circuitry before and after a placebo-controlled pharmacologic blockade of inflammation in 80 depressed patients.
The BHCK study will develop, implement, and evaluate a community-based obesity prevention program, which operates at multiple levels of an urban food system (policy, wholesaler, corner stores, carryout, household, individual; in Baltimore, MD), and will improve the healthy food supply chain to increase affordability, availability, purchasing and consumption of healthy foods within low-income, minority neighborhoods.
This study, conducted by NHGRI and the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas, will develop statistical approaches for modeling family social structure and apply these models to explore the role of family social structure in participation in genetic testing and counseling, disclosure of test results and adjustment to risk status. With recent genetic advances and the ability to test for hereditary illnesses, methods that provide an understanding of the family social structure and how that structure affects the dissemination of genetic risk information are increasingly important. The data for this study were collected by the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center as part of a study on family communication and family functioning with regard to genetic testing for hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer (HNPCC). Relatives of people with HNPCC are more likely than the general population to get colon cancer and other types of cancer if they have inherited the gene alteration (mutation) that predisposes to the disease. This alteration can be passed on from a parent to some or all of his or her children. In the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center study, telephone interviews were conducted with 80 adult members of 16 extended families with a known gene alteration predisposing for HNPCC. These participants included people who had been diagnosed with an HNPCC syndrome cancer, their unaffected family members who were at risk of carrying a gene mutation for HNPCC, and their spouses. Participants were interviewed about their feelings, moods, coping style, and relationships with their spouse, relatives, and friends, about their willingness to have genetic testing, and about their feelings and beliefs about colon cancer, cancer screening and genetic testing and counseling. Some participants were asked about their family communication style and how the family coped with the idea of genetic testing and with the results, if testing was done. The information obtained from the current study may help facilitate family participation, communication and psychological adjustment regarding risk information about genetic diseases.