Healthy Clinical Trials in Indianapolis, IN

The vagus nerve is a largely-internal nerve that controls many bodily functions, including stomach function. Investigators hope that electrically stimulating the nerve around the external ear will also stimulate the internal vagus nerve. If it does, then investigators hope that this will help the treatment of patients with nausea and vomiting and disordered stomach function. Investigators also hope to be able to measure the activity of the vagus nerve when it is stimulated in other ways. This could help investigators learn more about studying this nerve in the future. Read Less

Asthma is caused by or worsened by different things in different people. It is because of these differences that not all people with asthma respond the same to all treatments and medicines. If the investigators can better identify the changes in the airways or breathing pipes in patients with asthma, the investigators may be able to help patients make better choices about the medicines or treatments that are most likely to work best for each patient. This research study is about one specific factor that is known to affect asthma in some patients. It involves an increase in the activity of an enzyme that is in people's airways. An enzyme is something that helps a chemical reaction to occur. The enzyme the investigators are studying in this research study is called GSNOR (S-nitrosoglutathione reductase) , and when the activity of this enzyme is increased, the result is that there is less GSNO (S-nitrosoglutathione) . GSNO is a chemical that protects people's airways. The initials stand for S-nitrosoglutathione, (pronounced s-nahy-troh-soh-gloo-tuh-thahy-ohn), and it is naturally produced by the body. It has an important role in regulating respiratory function (breathing) and preventing inflammation (swelling) in the respiratory tract (throat, airways, and lungs). The amount of GSNO found in the body is controlled by the enzyme GSNOR (S-nitrosoglutathione reductase). GSNOR breaks down GSNO. Too much GSNOR leads to low levels of GSNO, and that can cause inflammation (swelling) and loss of airway function in some asthma patients. The only way to measure GSNOR levels currently is with a bronchoscopy procedure where a scope is inserted into the patient's airways, often under sedation. This research study is being done to test the accuracy of another type of test that can be done in the doctor's office, rather than in a procedure area. This non-invasive diagnostic test, called a GSNO Challenge test, may be able to identify which asthma patients have increased activity of the airway enzyme GSNOR. The investigators are also studying the phenotypes (observable traits) in asthma patients with increased levels of GSNOR. If this research study is successful, in the future (after this research study is done). The investigators may be able to offer a cost-effective and non-invasive way to identify patients who have higher GSNOR activity levels and offer personalized treatments. The GSNO Challenge test includes giving an investigational drug to breathe in (inhale). The investigational drug is GSNO. "Investigational" means the drug is not approved by any regulatory agencies including the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and is still being tested for safety and effectiveness. The research is registered with the FDA, but again the GSNO treatment in this study (administered during the GSNO challenge testing) is not an approved treatment or diagnostic test for asthma. Read Less

This study is testing a non invasive way to measure airway pH in individuals with Asthma and Cystic Fibrosis using a new inhaled drug. The airway pH will help health care providers in creating tailored treatment plans for individuals suffering from these specific conditions. Read Less

The iCaRe2 is a multi-institutional resource created and maintained by the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center to collect and manage standardized, multi-dimensional, longitudinal data and biospecimens on consented adult cancer patients, high-risk individuals, and normal controls. The distinct characteristic of the iCaRe2 is its geographical coverage, with a significant percentage of small and rural hospitals and cancer centers. The iCaRe2 advances comprehensive studies of risk factors of cancer development and progression and enables the design of novel strategies for prevention, screening, early detection and personalized treatment of cancer. Centers with expertise in cancer epidemiology, genetics, biology, early detection, and patient care can collaborate by using the iCaRe2 as a platform for cohort and population studies. Read Less