Healthy Paid Clinical Trials in Maryland

The purpose of this translational bench-to-bedside study is to examine the neurobiological effects of an evidence-based technology-delivered mindfulness training (MT) program on vaping-related rsFC alterations in hippocampal networks and testing whether changes in rsFC ((Delta)rsFC) in these networks predict reduction in tobacco vaping behaviors in adolescents. The study also aims to test the accessibility and feasibility of using this mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) platform as an implementation for widespread MT in adolescents.... Read Less

This study will collect biological samples for use in research experiments aimed at better understanding the clinical features of certain diseases. The specimens may be used to evaluate the effectiveness of known therapies, refine treatment approaches, identify potential new therapies, and explore opportunities for disease prevention. The following individuals 2 years of age or older may be eligible for this study: * Patients with a cancerous solid tumor or a cancerous or non-cancerous blood disorder who are being screened for or who are enrolled in a treatment study at the NIH Clinical Center * HLA-compatible donor family members (18 years of age or older) of the above patients who are being evaluated for or are enrolled in an NIH study as a stem cell transplant donor * Patients with a cancerous solid tumor or a cancerous or non-cancerous blood disorder or a bone marrow failure condition who cannot participate in an NIH treatment protocol or travel to the NIH Clinical Center and who are referred for participation through their home health care provider. Research samples will be collected from participants when blood is drawn or bone marrow, urine, or stool is collected, or tumor or other tissue is biopsied as part of their general medical care. Investigators may periodically request an additional sample of blood, stool, or urine. Participants who are 18 years of age or older may donate a large number of white blood cells through a procedure called leukapheresis. This procedure is not part of general medical care and would be done for research purposes only. For apheresis, a catheter (plastic tube) is placed in a vein in the subject's arm. Blood flows from the vein into a cell separator machine, where the white cells are separated from the red cells, platelets, and plasma by a spinning process. The white cells are removed and collected, and the rest of the blood is returned to the subject through a second tube placed in the other arm. Read Less

Background: Alcohol use disorder (AUD) can damage people s health, work, and family. Researchers want to know more about why some people are more vulnerable to AUD than others. The ZIP8 gene may be linked to an increased risk of AUD. Researchers want to find out how different forms of the ZIP8 gene affect how healthy people drink alcohol and how alcohol affects their brain. Objective: To study how genes may affect how people drink alcohol and how it affects their brain. Eligibility: Healthy people aged 21 to 60 years. They must not smoke, and they must have no history of AUD. They must have European ancestry and be enrolled in Natural History Protocol (14-AA-0181). Design: Participants will have 2 study visits. At the first visit, participants will be given alcohol; it will be infused through a tube attached to a needle inserted into a vein. They may self-administer each dose by pressing a button. Over time, they will have to press the button an increasing number of times to receive more alcohol. The infusion period will last 2.5 hours. Participants will have blood samples taken and breath measurments, and they will do computer tasks and complete questionnaires during and after the infusion. After the infusion, they will remain in the clinic until their breath alcohol levels drop to a safe level. At the second visit, participants will have an imaging scan of their brain. They will do tasks and play games on a computer screen during the scan. Some participants may have an extra visit for screening. A mid-study visit may also be needed if more than 6 months pass between the 2 study visits.... Read Less

The purpose of this study is to compare the pharmacokinetic (PK) exposures of a single subcutaneous (SC) dose of tozorakimab administered using AI or APFS in healthy participants. Read Less

Background: As people age, the cells in the pancreas that produce insulin begin to release less of this hormone, and levels of blood glucose (sugar) rise. This can lead to illnesses such as diabetes. Urolithin A (UA) is a natural nutritional supplement that may improve how the body controls blood glucose. Objective: To learn if UA improves levels of insulin and other hormones that help control blood glucose. Eligibility: People aged 55 years and older with a body mass index of 27 or higher. Design: Participants will have 6 clinic visits over 8 weeks. Participants will be screened. They will have a physical exam with blood and urine tests and a test of their heart function. UA gelcaps are taken by mouth every morning at home. Half of participants will take UA. The other half will take a placebo. The placebo looks like the study drug but does not contain any medicine. Participants will not know which they are taking. Participants will have tests during the study including: Oral glucose tolerance: Participants will drink a sweet liquid. Blood will be drawn at intervals over the next 3 hours. Continuous glucose monitor: A sensor with a needle that goes just under the skin will be placed on the upper arm. Participants will wear this sensor throughout the study. Exercise. Participants will walk on a treadmill while their heart rate, hearth rhythm, and blood pressure are monitored. They will walk in a hallway at normal and fast paces. Imaging scans of the thigh; scans of the brain are optional.... Read Less

Background: People with HIV take drugs to keep the amount of virus in their body low. One type of these drugs, called integrase strand transfer inhibitors (INSTIs), can cause weight gain over time. Weight gain can cause diabetes, heart disease, and other serious issues. Researchers want to understand how INSTIs cause weight changes. Objective: To see how a common INSTI, dolutegravir (DTG), affects how the body uses energy. DTG will be compared with a non-INSTI drug, tenofovir alafenamide (TAF). Eligibility: Healthy people aged 18 to 55. Design: Participants will be screened. They will have a physical exam and blood tests. They will have a nutritional assessment and tests of their heart function. Participants will have 2 inpatient stays at the clinic. Each stay will be for 11 nights, with a 3-week break between. Both DTG and TAF are gel caps swallowed once per day by mouth. Participants will take 1 drug for 8 days during each stay. Participants will have tests to see how their body uses energy: They will spend 23 continuous hours in a special room that measures how much oxygen they breathe in and how much carbon dioxide they breathe out. They will do this a total of 6 times. They will have a DEXA (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry). DEXA is a kind of X-ray that measures body fat and bone density. They will lie on a table. Electrodes will be placed on their hands and feet to measure body fat and lean body mass. They will stand still on a platform for about 30 seconds. High-resolution laser cameras will scan their bodies. Read Less

Background: There are no good treatments for people considering suicide. Researchers want to study suicide with questions, blood tests, brain imaging, and sleep studies. They hope to better understand suicide, so they can help suicidal people. Objective: To understand what happens in the brain when someone has thought about or attempted suicide. Eligibility: Group 1: Adults ages 18 70 who have thought about or attempted suicide recently Group 2: Adults ages 18 70 who have thought about or attempted suicide in the past Group 3: Adults ages 18 70 who have depression or anxiety, but have never thought about suicide Group 4: Healthy volunteers the same ages. Design: Participants will be screened in another protocol. Adults who have recently thought about or attempted suicide must be referred by a doctor. They may do up to 3 phases of this study. Groups 2, 3 and 4 will do only Phase 1 and will not get ketamine. Phase 1: 1 week in hospital. Participants will have: Physical exam. Questions about thoughts and feelings. Thinking and memory tests and simple tasks. Blood and urine tests. Two MRI scans. Participants will lie on a table that slides into a metal cylinder that takes pictures. They will have a coil over their head and earplugs and do a computer task. Sleep test. Disks and bands will be placed on the body to monitor it during sleep. Magnetic detectors on their head while they perform tasks. A wrist monitor for activity and sleep. Lumbar puncture (optional). A needle will collect fluid from the back. Shock experiments (optional). Participants will observe pictures and sounds and feel a small shock on the hand. Phase 2: 4 days in hospital. A thin plastic tube will be placed in each arm, one for blood draws, the other to get the drug ketamine once. Participants will repeat most of the Phase 1 tests. Phase 3: up to 4 more ketamine doses over 2 weeks. Participants will have follow-up calls or visits at 6 months and then maybe yearly for 5 years. ... Read Less

The purpose of this study is to find substances in the blood and urine that indicate that a person has kidney damage. It will identify proteins found only in patients with acute kidney failure but not in normal healthy people or in patients with volume depletion. Adults and children who are at least 3 years old who fall into one of the following four categories may be eligible for this study: 1. Are healthy and have normal kidney function 2. Have volume depletion (this condition differs from acute kidney failure in that it is easily treated with fluids) 3. Are at high risk of kidney failure 4. Have acute kidney failure (kidney shutdown) All study participants will have a history and physical examination. Up to four blood samples of 3 tablespoons each will be taken for laboratory analysis. Urine will be collected for analysis and to measure urine output. The participants length of stay in the study varies. People with normal kidney function will be in the study for 1 day and patients with volume depletion will be studied 3 days. The length of hospitalization of patients at high risk of kidney failure or in acute kidney failure will depend on the patient s condition and medication requirements. The results of this study may lead to the development of earlier and more accurate methods for diagnosing acute kidney failure. With earlier detection, treatment could be started earlier, possibly preventing further damage and helping recovery of injury that has already occurred. ... Read Less

Background: - Salivary glands in and around the mouth and throat make saliva. Salivary gland disorders can affect a person s quality of life. Studying people who have a disease that affects their salivary gland(s) may teach researchers about the disorders and their genetics. Objectives: - To study salivary gland diseases and disorders. To collect data and samples from people with salivary gland problems and their relatives. Eligibility: * People more than 4 years old who have or are suspected to have a disease involving salivary glands. * Their relatives more than 4 years old. * Healthy volunteers 18 years or older. Design: * Participants may be screened with: * Medical history * Physical exam * Blood and urine tests * General oral and dental history and exam * Saliva collection * Eye exam and test for dry eyes * Health questionnaires (adults) * Biopsy of some minor salivary glands. A small incision will be made on the inside of the lower lip and several tiny salivary glands will be removed. * Participants will have 2-3 visits. These may include: * Repeats of some screening tests * Ultrasounds of some glands. Researchers will put some gel on the face, then press on it with a smooth wand. * Adults may have other biopsies * A small catheter inserted into the opening of the parotid gland duct on the inside of the cheek. A saline solution (in a syringe) will fill the duct. * Swishing a saltwater solution in the mouth for 10 seconds and then spitting into a cup * Scrapings collected from teeth, tongue, and cheeks Read Less

This study will describe the phenotype (physical and behavioral traits) of overweight and obese people. It will characterize the hormones, metabolism, food preferences, fitness and physical activity levels, sleep patterns and thought processes in people with and without weight problems. Genetic material will be collected for studies of the internal codes that influence body weight. People over 18 years of age from all weight categories (lean, overweight, obese) who are reasonably healthy may be eligible for this study. Participants undergo the following tests and procedures: * Physical exam, electrocardiogram, blood and urine tests, instructions for recording food intake for 7 days * Metabolic studies for menstruating women. * Resting metabolic rate to study how many calories the body burns at rest. * Mixed meal test to measure hormones such as insulin that regulate blood sugar. * Glucose tolerance test to determine how sensitive the body is to insulin. * 24-hour energy expenditure to measure the amount of oxygen breathed in and the amount of carbon dioxide breathed out. * Repeat 24-hour energy expenditure. * Diurnal blood sampling and temperature assessment to study the body s internal clock. * Air-displacement plethysmography (Bod Pod) to measure body composition. * Dual energy x-ray absortiometry (DEXA) to measure body fat and bone density. * Repeat Bod Pod and DEXA. * Anthropometric measurements and bioelectrical impedance to measure height, weight, and circumferences, skinfold thickness, fluid status and percentage body fat. * Bromide dilution to measure the amount of water not in cells in the body. * Doubly labeled water to measure the amount of calories burned in a 7-day period. * 24-hour diet reports. * Endothelial reactivity to measure how the blood vessels stretch or dilate for assessing cardiovascular health. * Treadmill or bicycle exercise capacity test. * Physical activity monitor. * Unicorder to detect any breathing difficulties that may interfere with sleep. * Fat and muscle biopsy to look for variations in gene expression in fat tissue and muscle. * Neurocognitive testing to check memory, decision-making, hand-eye coordination, and reasoning. * Evaluation of mood problems and assess personality type. * Evaluation to assess the quantity and quality of pain experienced. * Taste testing to determine the response to bitter, salty, sweet and sour substances. * Occupational therapy evaluation to explore the subject s adaptations, if any, for performing personal, social or professional activities; the subject s views on his or her weight, body size and shape, and strategies to control weight. Read Less

Background: - Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans must be performed according to specified sets of parameters that provide optimal images of each organ and each area of the body. These scanning parameters are often specific to the institution or organization at which they are employed, and may also depend on the manufacturer of the MRI scanning equipment. Because MRI scanning equipment is always being updated and upgraded, researchers are interested in developing new and optimized scanning parameters for MRI scans. Objectives: - To improve current methods and develop new techniques for magnetic resonance imaging. Eligibility: * Individuals 18 years of age and older who are either volunteers or current NIH protocol participants. * Participants must not have any medical history factors (e.g., extreme claustrophobia, history of metal implants) that would prevent them from receiving MRI scans. Design: * Participants will have at least one MRI scan that will last from 20 minutes to 2 hours (most scans will last between 45 and 90 minutes). The total time commitment for most visits will be approximately 4 hours from start to finish. * Some MRI techniques require standard monitoring equipment or specific procedures during the scanning, such as an electrocardiogram. * Participants will have blood samples taken at the time of the scan. Some MRI studies will require the use of a contrast agent that will be administered during the scan. * Volunteers may be asked to return for additional MRI scans over the course of a few years. Follow-up scans may be done on the same part of the body or on different parts of the body. No more than one MRI scan will be performed in any 4-week period for this protocol.... Read Less

The influence of genes on addictive and neuropsychiatric disorders is complex, especially given that multiple genes likely influence certain behaviors that are correlated with addiction. Researchers are interested in looking at the genetic information of individuals who are enrolled on National Institute for Drug Abuse studies to investigate specific genetic variants that may be related to substance abuse. Researchers will study the effects of genes on several aspects of thinking such as attention, memory, decision making, problem solving, learning, and emotional feelings, and investigate the ways in which genetic information affects addictive behaviors and substance abuse. In addition, researchers will study how genes may explain differences in imaging data in substance users. Objectives: - To collect genetic information for research on genetic aspects of addiction and substance abuse. Eligibility: * Adults age 18 or older * (1) healthy, non-drug-using nonsmokers, * (2) healthy smokers, * (3) healthy individuals dependent on other commonly abused drugs, and * (4) individuals with other psychiatric disorders. * Participants must be enrolled in another National Institute on Drug Abuse, Intramural Research Program imaging protocol. Design: * This study involves one to two visits to National Institute on Drug Abuse, Intramural Research Program that may be separate from the participant's current research protocol study visits or on the same day as those visits. * Participants will provide a blood sample and complete questionnaires about mood, memory, and learning. * Participants may also be asked to do a few tasks, such as playing computer games involving coin tosses and money management, or responding to questions on a computer screen. Read Less