Trials Today

Latino caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias experience high levels of stress burden and depressive symptoms and are underrepresented in caregiver intervention research. Tele Savvy is an evidence based caregiver education program that focuses on developing caregiver mastery skills. This study aims to culturally adapt the Tele Savvy intervention for Latino caregivers and evaluate its preliminary efficacy in a Stage 1b single arm clinical trial. The intervention is delivered remotely and includes weekly group sessions and asynchronous instructional videos. Primary outcomes focus on caregiver mastery with secondary outcomes including stress burden depressive symptoms and self efficacy.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Apr 2026

open study

The purpose of the study is to learn about how effective, safe, and tolerable the Clostridioides difficile (C. difficile) vaccine is in decreasing the number of C. difficile infections (pCDI) in adults 65 years of age or older. The participants will receive either the C. difficile vaccine or placebo (saline). A placebo does not contain any active ingredients. The vaccines will be given as a shot into the upper arm muscle. This study looks at the number of diarrhea (loose stools) events related to a C. difficile infection, so the length of the study can change. If these events happen quickly, the study may finish sooner; if they happen slowly, it could take longer. Sometimes, the study might stop early if the vaccine clearly works or clearly doesn't. Participants will stay in the study until enough events have occurred to answer the main question. On average, each person is expected to take part for up to about three and a half years. During this time, participants will have 3 planned clinical visits and 3 planned phone visits. After these visits, more scheduled clinic visits will happen every year until the end of study. Besides the scheduled study visits, if at any time during the study a participant has 3 or more loose stools in 24 hours, they will be asked to save the next one (the fourth or later) and contact the study site. The study site will check to see if it could be a C. difficile infection. This check may happen at the clinic or through a phone or video call.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Dec 2025

open study

Chronic tics are a disabling neuropsychiatric symptom associated with multiple child-onset mental disorders. Chronic tics affect 1-3% of youth 1 and are associated with impaired functioning, emotional and behavioral problems, physical pain, diminished quality of life, peer victimization, and a fourfold increased risk of suicide compared to the general population. Large randomized trials have demonstrated the superiority of CBIT over supportive therapy in child and adult patients. However, in these trials, only 52% of children and 38% of adults showed clinically meaningful tic improvement, meaning that 50-60% of patients do not benefit from CBIT. CBIT success relies on an ability to suppress tics that many youth lack. The central aim of CBIT is to enhance voluntary tic suppression. Better tic suppression ability drives CBIT improvement 10 and predicts lower tic burden over the course of illness. During the core CBIT procedure, competing response training, patients learn to inhibit tics by engaging in a competing motor action. However, research shows that many youth lack this fundamental tic suppression ability that CBIT aspires to enhance. This study will examine the clinical and neural effects of a treatment combining Comprehensive Behavioral Intervention for Tics (CBIT) and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to the supplementary motor area (SMA) in young people with tic disorder.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Feb 2025

open study

This research study is investigating whether people with Alzheimer's disease (AD) experience more changes to swallowing than their healthy age-matched peers. The prevalence of swallowing impairments in moderate-severe AD is high (85-93%), yet little is known about how swallow function evolves throughout the disease course in people with AD. The overall objective of this study is to evaluate swallowing function in adults with and without Alzheimer's disease. The investigator will also be involving the primary caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer's that are enrolled in the study to better understand the impact of swallowing impairments on the primary caregivers of those with Alzheimer's Disease. Healthy adults and individuals with Alzheimer's disease will: - undergo tests of cough and swallow function - undergo tests of grip and tongue strength - complete questionnaires Caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer's disease will also complete questionnaires.

Type: Observational

Start Date: Apr 2025

open study

The overarching goal of this study is to determine if baricitinib, as compared to placebo, will improve neurocognitive function, along with measures of physical function, quality of life, post-exertional malaise, effect of breathlessness on daily activities, post-COVID-19 symptom burden, and biomarkers of inflammation and viral measures, in participants with Long COVID.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Oct 2024

open study

The purpose of this study is to understand whether people with Parkinson's Disease and depression have improvement in their symptoms after psilocybin therapy.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Aug 2024

open study

This study aims to identify how enhanced allopregnanolone activity (via pregnenolone) affects behavior and neurobiology that may underlie perimenopausal depression.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: May 2024

open study

This will be a multi-center, single arm, open-label study of Ovaprene, a non-hormonal intravaginal ring, to investigate the contraceptive effectiveness, safety and acceptability of Ovaprene.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Dec 2023

open study

This study has two phases: Phase 1 is to examine blood pressure, microvascular function, and sympathetic nerve activity in mid-life adult binge drinkers vs. alcohol abstainers/moderate drinkers. Phase 2 is to examine the effect of 8-week aerobic exercise training on blood pressure, microvascular function, and sympathetic nerve activity in mid-life adult binge drinkers

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Nov 2022

open study

The Morphea in Adults and Children (MAC) cohort is the first registry for both children and adults with morphea (also known as localized scleroderma) in the country. The purpose of the registry is to learn more about morphea, specifically: - How morphea behaves over time - How frequently specific problems occur along with morphea (for example, arthritis) - Whether morphea has an autoimmune background

Type: Observational [Patient Registry]

Start Date: May 2007

open study

Obesity is a major risk factor for hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP). The underlying mechanisms are largely unclear, but maternal vascular endothelial dysfunction is likely involved. Endothelial dysfunction in HDP could be attributed to 1) alterations in the L-arginine/nitric oxide (NO) pathway, and 2) an increase in endothelin-1 (ET-1). Additionally, augmented sympathetic vasoconstriction may also contribute to HDP. Chronic (repeated) whole-body heat exposure has been shown to increase NO bioavailability, decrease ET-1, and cause functional and structural adaptations in the vasculature. All these can improve vascular function, attenuate sympathetic (re)activity, lower blood pressure (BP), and reduce cardiovascular risk in non-pregnant individuals. Whether this is also true after regional (leg) heating in high-risk pregnant women is unknown. The investigators' central hypothesis is that chronic leg heating will be effective in improving vascular endothelial function and attenuating sympathetic vasoconstriction, leading to a reduction of the risk for HDP in pregnant women with obesity. The overarching goal of this proposal is to determine the vascular and neural effects of chronic leg heating in obese pregnancy. The study team plans to enroll pregnant women with obesity between 12-14 weeks of gestation and randomly assign them to either an intervention group or a control group (1:1 ratio). Participants in the intervention group will perform 16 weeks of home-based leg heating using a portable sauna blanket up to the hip (temperature of the blanket will be set at 65°C, 4 times/week, 45 min/session), whereas women in the control group will set the temperature of the blanket at 35°C at the same frequency and duration. Participants will be evaluated at baseline and then at 28-30 weeks of gestation. Aim 1 will determine the effects of chronic leg heating on maternal vascular function and surrogate markers of HDP. Aim 2 will determine the effects of chronic leg heating on sympathetic vasoconstriction and BP. Findings from this project will provide insight on the extent and potential mechanisms of how chronic leg heating works for improving vascular endothelial function and sympathetic vasoconstriction in pregnant women with obesity. Results obtained will set a foundation for future large multicenter clinical trials to determine the efficacy and generalizability of home-based leg heat therapy as a safe, ease-of-use, cost-effective, and non-drug approach for reducing the risk of HDP.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Aug 2025

open study

This is a longitudinal study with an open design in weight recovered anorexia nervosa (wrAN) individuals. Healthy controls (HC) will also be assessed. Study participants will be carefully assessed and will have 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose ([18F]FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) scans for assessment of regional brain glucose uptake. The wrAN group will be compared to healthy controls. Participants in the wrAN group will then complete 14 weeks of therapeutic ketogenic diet (TKD). At the end of the TKD study, participants will have assessments and a second [18F]FDG and TMS/EEG scan. Study participants will be followed over six months after the intervention. This follow-up procedure will help determine whether symptom improvement will be stable or worsen in individuals who choose to continue or discontinue the TKD intervention. This will be a naturalistic follow-up.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Oct 2024

open study

Stage 2 Type 1 Diabates (T1D) is an early stage of T1D characterized by dysglycemia but not yet leading to clinical symptoms. Progression of the disease to Stage 3 (clinical T1D), leads to overt hyperglycemia requiring eventually exogenous insulin. TZIELD® (teplizumab-mzwv) has been approved to delay onset of stage 3 T1D, by the United States (US) Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for adults and children aged 8 years and older with Stage 2 T1D. The purpose of this study is to collect general information on patients with stage 2 T1D and further information on the long-term effects of TZIELD® in patients with Stage 2 T1D, treated as per standard of care.

Type: Observational

Start Date: Sep 2024

open study

The goal of this clinical trial is to test whether an adaptation of an evidence-based, couple-based preventive intervention at the transition to parenthood improves reduces obesity risk among infants and parents in military families via improved interparental support and coordination around health lifestyle behaviors and parenting. The main question it aims to answer is whether an adapted, innovative family-focused approach to obesity prevention can reduce rapid infant weight gain, new mothers' postpartum weight retention, and fathers' weight status. Participants randomized to the Healthy Family Foundations (HFF) intervention condition will participate in 10 online group classes (5 prenatal and 5 postnatal). Participants randomized to the control condition will receive standard of care and opportunities for education at their site. Researchers will compare the Healthy Family Foundations (HFF) intervention group with a Standard of Care control group to see if there are differences in weight, coparenting support, parent mental health and parent health behaviors.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: May 2023

open study

The goal of this project evaluate the efficacy of NiteCAPP in improving insomnia in a rural dementia caregiver sample (n of 100 caregiver and PWD dyads). We will measure both the short term (post-treatment) and long term (6 and 12 months) effects of the intervention on CG sleep, arousal, inflammation, health, mood, burden and cognitive function, and PWD sleep.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Feb 2022

open study

There is evidence that early and aggressive treatment with antiretroviral drugs can prevent the loss of immune cell function that accompanies HIV infection. This study will use leukapheresis (drawing blood, separating out the white cells and returning the blood to the patient) to obtain blood cells from HIV-infected patients in either the acute or chronic stage of infection who are being treated with early highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). Leukapheresis is necessary to obtain enough cells to delineate the response of B cells to CD4+ T cell help, the CD8 factors associated with suppression of viral replication and normalization of immune function, and natural killer function relative to HIV disease. Study participants will be adult (older than 18 years) HIV primary or acutely affected patients (those with a history of exposure to HIV but not yet showing chronic symptoms of HIV disease) and HIV chronically infected patients (those infected with HIV for longer than 12 months or showing other symptoms of HIV disease) who are not receiving HAART at the beginning of the study. The study seeks to enroll 30 primary and 30 chronic patients. Pregnant women will not be enrolled in the study; women who become pregnant will be dropped from the study. Leukapheresis will be performed on each patient before HAART therapy begins and then three times a year. Each session will take between 1 and 3 hours. This longitudinal study will enable researchers to examine the function of certain B cells, natural killer cells, and CD8+ T cells in people who do not have chronic HIV disease and in those who do have the disease and are treated with HAART.

Type: Observational

Start Date: Jul 2002

open study

The investigators are conducting a 10-week brain imaging and medication study. They are doing the research to study the response of Attention-Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) on extended-release formulation of mixed amphetamine salts (MAS) (also know as Adderall XR). The investigators also want to find out if taking MAS has any effect on the brains of children and adolescents with ADHD and ASD. This study will help researchers better understand how the use of MAS to treat ADHD effects children and adolescents with ASD. The investigators will compare MAS to a placebo. The placebo will look exactly like the MAS capsules but will contain no MAS. During this study, participants may get a placebo instead of MAS. Placebos are used in research studies to see if the study results are due to the study drug or due to other reasons. Participants with ASD and ADHD will complete 4-weeks of treatment with the study medication or placebo. They will complete bi-weekly study visits virtually via a telemedicine platform with the study doctor and complete questionnaires. On alternating weeks, they will meet with a Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) study team member to discuss medication adherence and potential side effects. Participants will have the option to attend all study visits in-person if participants prefer. They will also complete baseline and endpoint Magnetic Resonance (MR) scan visits at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). During the MR Scan visits, they will complete a series of tasks to measure inattention, impulsivity, reward sensitivity, decision-making, and working memory. Participants without ADHD or ASD will complete eligibility screening with MGH. If eligible, they will be invited to baseline and endpoint MR scan visits at MIT. During the MR Scan visits, they will complete a series of tasks to measure inattention, impulsivity, reward sensitivity, decision-making, and working memory.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Feb 2026

open study

This study investigates the relationship between the noradrenergic (NA) system, sleep quality, and cognitive function in older adults with insomnia - a population at elevated risk for Alzheimer's disease-related dementias (ADRD) - compared to age and sex matched controls with normal sleep. The study characterizes NA function through multiple approaches: measuring 24-hour plasma levels of norepinephrine (NE) and its brain metabolite 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG); evaluating central NA system response using the clonidine suppression test (a presynaptic α2 adrenoreceptor agonist that reduces locus coeruleus NA activity; and employing pupillometry as a non-invasive marker of autonomic function. To explore NA function's mechanistic role in insomnia, the study uses an intervention with bright light exposure to enhance daytime NA activity, with the goal of improving both sleep quality and cognitive performance.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Sep 2024

open study

Children and adults with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) have severely reduced daily activity compared to healthy populations. In adults, investigators recently demonstrated that lower baseline daily step counts associated with increased risk of hospitalization and worsening WHO functional class; similarly, reduced step counts associate with hospitalization in children with PAH. This application builds on our recently completed NIH-funded pilot mobile health (mHealth) trial in adult patients with PAH which demonstrated the ability to remotely increase step counts. The investigators now aim to: (1) adapt our mHealth intervention to the developmental needs and interests of adolescents; and, (2) determine if our intervention increases step counts in adolescents, providing the foundation for a larger trial to assess the impact on quality of life and clinical outcomes.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Dec 2024

open study

This trial aims to test the feasibility and acceptability of addressing interpersonal barriers to weight-related behavior change. Specifically, the study will test if, by including up to two friends, family members, or co-workers in a lifestyle intervention for weight loss, the person enrolled in the study loses more weight than someone whose friends, family members, or co-workers were not invited to participate.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Apr 2024

open study

The goal of this clinical trial is to test the effectiveness of a computerized anxiety sensitivity treatment (CAST) compared to a health education control (HEC) in older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or mild Alzheimer's Disease and related dementias (ADRD) and their care partners. The main questions it aims to answer are: 1. Efficacy of CAST in reducing anxiety and related symptoms among those with MCI/mild ADRD 2. Efficacy of CAST in reducing care partner burden among care partners of people living with MCI/mild ADRD 3. Explore treatment mechanisms using a multi-modal assessment battery of anxiety sensitivity and anxiety Participants will complete six in-person visits including a baseline assessment, two intervention sessions, and three follow-up assessments at 1, 3, and 6-months posttreatment. Participants will also complete three weeks of ecological momentary assessments (EMAs) for one week prior to intervention, one week between intervention sessions, and one week after intervention. If there is a comparison group: Researchers will compare CAST to HEC to see if CAST reduces anxiety and related symptoms in older adults with MCI/mild ADRD and care partner burden to a greater degree than HEC.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Nov 2023

open study

Using indocyanine green (ICG) lymphography and lymphoscintigraphy with SPECT/CT imaging, the aim is to evaluate the anatomy of the lymphatic system pathway in two separate populations: healthy female volunteers and women with a history of breast cancer who did not develop lymphedema.

Type: Observational

Start Date: Apr 2022

open study

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of an experimental drug called human allogeneic mesenchymal stem cell therapy.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: May 2021

open study

This fully, powered efficacy RCT, the MIND diet for Breast Cancer Cognition (MIND-BC), will evaluate the MIND diet in a rigorous, highly controlled academic cancer center. We will recruit breast cancer survivors reporting CRCI with a MIND diet score < 8, based on a previously devised 14-item diet questionnaire designed to detect inadequate diet with respect to brain health (scores range from 0 to 14, with lower scores indicating a less adequate diet).14 Breast cancer survivors will have recently completed adjuvant treatment (i.e., 6 months to three years previously), to ensure that perceived cognitive impairment is likely chronic and due to cancer. To achieve maximal effect, the study consists of two 12-week phases 1) intervention phase, 2) maintenance phase.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jul 2025

open study

Purpose: Conduct a wait-list randomized controlled trial (RCT) of an inclusive physical activity program called PACE for adults with intellectual disability (ID) who are not yet showing signs of Alzheimer's Disease (AD)/age-related dementias (ARD). Participants: Participants include 120 adults with ID, their caregivers, and their coaches (up to 360 individual participants, grouped as triads), recruited through the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the University of Arkansas. Participants also include 16 exercise professionals. Procedures (methods): Each cohort will include 20 triads who are randomly assigned to the PACE program or the waitlist control group.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jan 2025

open study