Healthy Paid Clinical Trials in Maryland

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: The use of electronic cigarettes (vaping) has increased among adolescents over the past decade. Vaping raises many health concerns. People who vape inhale toxic chemicals. Vaping is also linked with mental health issues, such as depression and suicide risk. In one survey, 85% of young adults reported that they used both vaping and tobacco products; the primary reason they cited for using these products was stress. Objective: This natural history study will survey adolescents and their parents about their attitudes toward vaping. Eligibility: People aged 13 to 17, including those who vape; those who once vaped; and those who have never vaped. Parents of people aged 13 to 17 who are known or suspected of vaping are also needed. Design: Participants will take a survey. They will use their own smartphone, computer, or tablet to answer questions. The survey will take about 20 minutes. Their answers will be anonymous. Teenage participants will answer questions on different topics: Vaping habits, such as when and how they vape. Drug use, including nicotine, cannabis, and alcohol. Mood issues, such as depression, anxiety, and stress. Social influences on vaping, including perceived attitudes of parents and peers. Other leisure habits, including online gaming and use of social media. Parents will answer similar questions. A phone number and links will be given to participants who need help for suicidal thoughts. Other links will be given to those who want help with parenting resources or aids to quit vaping. Participants may be invited to take part in an 8-week course on mindfulness-based stress reduction. Participants who finish the survey will receive $10. ... Read Less

This protocol is a screening and natural history protocol, which allows for evaluation of patients and families where neurological conditions are present for enrollment into other studies and will also be used to screen healthy volunteers to create a pool of potential future HV matches for HMCS protocols. Through diagnostic evaluations, data will be collected for research use in this study. ... Read Less

The purpose of this investigation is to develop improved magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques and hardware for studying brain function. MRI is a diagnostic tool that provides information about brain chemistry and physiology. This study will evaluate new MRI methods for monitoring blood flow to regions of the brain in response to simple tasks. The MRI machine used in this study is more powerful than those in most hospitals, permitting a higher visual resolution. Normal healthy volunteers over 18 years old may be eligible for this study. Candidates will be screened with a medical history and questionnaire, and a neurological examination. Study participants will have a yearly MRI scan. For this procedure, the subject lies on a stretcher that is moved into a donut-shaped machine with a strong magnetic field. A lightweight circular or rectangular coil a device that improves the quality of the images may be placed on the head. The scan time varies from 20 minutes to 3 hours; most scans last between 45 and 90 minutes. During the scan, the subject may perform simple tasks, such as listening to tapes, tapping a finger, moving a hand, watching a screen, or smelling a fragrance. More complex tasks may require thinking about tones or pictures and responding to them by pressing buttons. Information from this study will be used to develop better imaging methods that will, in turn, permit a greater understanding of normal and abnormal brain behaviors. ... Read Less

Background: - Researchers at the National Institutes of Health give many tests of hearing and balance. These tests can help detect problems that affect hearing or balance. It is important to know exactly how healthy people perform on each of these tests. This information will indicate when a test result is normal and when a test result shows a problem. Researchers also want to determine the best methods for each test. Objectives: - To test different types of hearing and balance tests, and collect information on normal values for each test. Eligibility: - Healthy volunteers between 5 and 70 years of age. Design: This study will require a single visit to the National Institutes of Health Clinical Center. It will include both screening tests and study tests of hearing and balance. Sometimes, a second visit may be required if a test is designed to measure the same thing on 2 different days. Each visit will last between 2 and 5 hours, depending on the number of tests scheduled per visit. Participants will have a physical exam and medical history. They will also have basic tests to check for normal hearing and balance. Participants may have different hearing tests, including the following: Auditory Evoked Potentials to study how the ears and brain handle sound information. Auditory Processing Tests to study how a person processes complex sounds like speech in background noise. Tests of middle ear and inner ear function. Participants may have different balance and inner ear tests, including the following: Balance test on a tilting platform. Different tests to measure how well the eyes, ears, and brain work together to help maintain balance. Treatment will not be needed as part of this study. Read Less

A study to demonstrate the safety and tolerability of AZD1163 when administered intravenously and subcutaneously in healthy participants. 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

The main purpose of this study is to assess the effect of itraconazole on the pharmacokinetic (PK) of baxdrostat. 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

Background: -Sjogren s Disease is a disease that affects about 1-4 million Americans. It is more common in women. It mainly affects the glands that produce saliva and tears, leading to dry eyes and dry mouth. The cause of Sjogren s Disease is unknown, but inflammation plays an important role. The purpose of this study is to learn more about Sjogren s Disease. Objectives: -To better understand how Sjogren s Disease begins and how it affects patients so that we can develop better ways to treat them. Eligibility: Participants must be 16 years of age or older. They must have a diagnosis of Sjogren s Disease or have at least two symptoms of Sjogren s Disease. Design: People taking part in the study will come to the NIH Clinical Center for at least three visits. During these visits, participants will have a medical history and physical exam. They will have oral and dental assessments, and saliva collection. Lab tests (blood and urine) and dry eye exams will be done. Participants will answer questionnaires and have salivary scintigraphy (adults only unless required for diagnosis). Other optional tests may also be done. Participants may have to come in for additional visits if they have these optional tests or if their disease changes. The only treatment provided as part of this study is for medical emergencies or complications that occur while you are at NIH for evaluation. Read Less

Background: We are involved in testing new behavioral science methods and measures for future research projects. In the course of these evaluations, we will also test research questions related to parents psychological experiences and how these relate to the responses they have when they encounter different types of communication about child health. We are testing multiple research questions in the course of this research. Objective: - To learn about technologies and approaches to use in future research studies. Eligibility: - Parents (fathers and mothers) of children between the ages of 3-7. Design: As part of the main study, participants will do four tasks: Task 1: Before participants arrive for an in-person visit, they will answer questions online about themselves, their child, and their thoughts and opinions related to health. Task 2: At the in-person visit, participants will watch a short scene from a movie and answer some questions Task 3: At the in-person visit, participants will read information about a child health topic and answer questions Task 4: At the in-person visit, participants will use a virtual reality-based buffet restaurant simulation to make hypothetical food choices for their child Read Less

A study in healthy male and female participants of non-childbearing potential who have overweight or obesity Read Less