
Search Results
Modifying Progesterone and Estradiol Levels to Prevent Postpartum Cigarette Smoking Relapse and Reduce Secondhand Smoke Exposure in Infants and Children
We will enroll healthy pregnant women (following enrollment, all subsequent study procedures will be completed postpartum) or postpartum women on hormonal birth control or no hormonal birth control with either a recent history of smoking and a desire to remain abstinent after childbirth, or who are currently smoking and motivated to quit smoking. Participants will be recruited throughout the continental United States (US). Participants living in Minnesota (our clinical site) will receive a 12-week course of exogenous progesterone. Participants will be followed for six months with remote visits, self-administered surveys, and self-collection of dried blood spots to measure hormones and smoking-related biomarkers.
• 18 to 45 years old
• uncomplicated pregnancy at gestational week 30 or beyond, or birth of a child within the past 6 months
• history of ≥ 4 cigarettes per month during the six months prior to pregnancy
• motivation to become and/or stop smoking after delivery
• willing to use birth control for the 12 weeks of the study
• live in the continental US and have a device to connect to the internet for participation
• see link to clinicaltrials.gov for complete inclusion criteria
• current daily use of nicotine replacement therapy or smoking cessation medications, with the exception of e-cigarettes
• major depressive disorder
• current or within the past 3 months treatment for drug or alcohol use
• see link to clinicaltrials.gov for complete exclusion criteria
Continuation of a Home/Community-Based Anal Cancer Screening Unit and Protocol at LGBTQ+ Focused Community Events
This study will help to identify challenges and barriers to self-performing anal cancer screening tests, and may identify unique ways to make this form of screening easier, more cost-effective, and more frequently performed. We believe that it has the potential to minimize the frequency of both disease and death from anal cancer among high-risk patient groups.
• at least 35 years old
• assigned sex of “male” at birth
• engage in anoreceptive intercourse with male partners
• willing to provide reliable contact information
• in the case of a positive screen, willing to undergo a clinic visit and HRA
• fluent in English
• previous diagnosis of high-grade anal dysplasia or anal cancer
Studying the phase-dependent effects of paired-pulse TMS on motor excitability
This study is about understanding how TMS affects the balance between inhibitory and facilitatory processes in the motor cortex. The study includes an experimental device, specifically transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), electroencephalography (EEG), and electromyography (EMG). TMS is a non-invasive brain stimulation method to probe brain activity. EEG is used to record brain activity through electrodes placed on the head, while EMG measures muscle activity through sensors attached to the skin.
• right-handed
• history of epilepsy or seizures
• mental health condition and/or take medication
• metal near head, neck, ears, or shoulders except removable piercings
Effects of relighting on smoke toxicant deliveries and subjective smoking measures
The purpose of this study is to understand how relighting cigarettes affects the level of toxicants inhaled during smoking, compared to smoking non-relit cigarettes.
• at least 21 years old
• smoking at least 5 cigarettes/day for at least 1 year
• engaging in relighting behavior – extinguishing, saving, and later relighting unfinished cigarette butts
• no attempts to quit smoking in the past month nor intentions to quit in the next month
• systolic blood pressure < 160, diastolic blood pressure < 100 and heart rate < 105 bpm
• see link to clinicaltrials.gov for complete inclusion and exclusion criteria
• current or recent alcohol or drug abuse problems, use of substances of abuse (other than marijuana due to high prevalence of co-use) within the past month
• women who are planning to become pregnant, pregnant or breastfeeding
Investigating EEG as a biomarker for tinnitus improvement after bimodal stimulation
This study is about understanding how TMS affects the balance between inhibitory and facilitatory processes in the motor cortex. The study includes an experimental device, specifically transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), electroencephalography (EEG), and electromyography (EMG). TMS is a non-invasive brain stimulation method to probe brain activity. EEG is used to record brain activity through electrodes placed on the head, while EMG measures muscle activity through sensors attached to the skin.
• People with Tinnitus: subjective tinnitus, have not started wearing hearing aids in the last 3 months, and don't have implanted electronic devices and willing to commit to 6 weeks of study
• Healthy Volunteers: have not started wearing hearing aids in the last 3 months and willing to commit to 6 weeks of study
• People with objective tinnitus
Pathogen Genomics Center of Excellence: Prospective Surveillance of Respiratory Pathogens and Antimicrobial Resistance in Diverse Regional Populations (MINNE-LOVE-2)
Respiratory illnesses, including ear and sinus infections, colds, and pneumonias, are among the most common infectious diseases affecting Minnesotans across their lifespan. These diseases can be caused by many different types of microbes—bacteria, viruses and fungi—and different types of microbes may require different kinds of treatment. This research is being done to learn more about the specific types of microbes that cause respiratory infections in children and adults across the state of Minnesota over time. Antimicrobial resistance happens when microbes develop the ability to defeat the drugs designed to kill them. Through this study, we will learn which types of genes are carried by microbes living in the respiratory tract by collecting and analyzing nasal and oral specimen.
• age at least 18 years and able to provide informed consent AND willing and able to collect nasal swabs and complete symptom questionnaires with symptomatic respiratory illness Or
• age less than 18 years within the same household of at least 1 adult participant in study AND parent/guardian available to provide informed consent AND self or parent/guardian willing and able to collect nasal swabs and complete symptom questionnaires with symptomatic respiratory illness
• presence of a condition or abnormality that in the opinion of the Investigator would compromise the safety of the participant or the quality of the data (e.g., parent not able to answer the questionnaire because of a psychological condition or an anxiety disorder that is severe)
• routine mucosal specimen collection is not medically advised (such as severe immunocompromising condition, bleeding disorder)
Kinematic signatures of postural instability and gait in healthy adults
The purpose of this research is to better understand balance and walking in a healthy adult population to compare to patients with Parkinson’s Disease. This research study uses small wearable devices that attach to your clothing and can measure your body’s location while performing walking and balance tests. We expect that you will be in this research study at the Minnesota State Fair for approximately 10-15 minutes.
• any neurological disease
• history of vertigo
• dementia of sufficient severity to impair the ability to make decisions
10,000 Families Study
The purpose of this study is to study the evolution of early life risk factors that may lead to cancer and other conditions. This is a prospective cohort study of families who reside in Minnesota.
• 1st Participant: 18+ living in MN
• Other family members: All ages and must live in MN, ND, SD, IA, or WI
• Participants ages 0-17 must have a parent consent to their participation and assist with study activities
• Unwilling or unable to provide DNA and blood sample
• Does not have at least 1 living family member in MN IA, ND, SD, or WI
Longitudinal characterization of the role of the mucosal virome and microbiome in juvenile idiopathic arthritis flares
The goal of this observational study is to learn more about associations between respiratory infections, changes in the microbiome of the nose and upper throat, and juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA).
• Presence of a condition or abnormality that would compromise the safety of the participant or the quality of the data (e.g., parent not able to answer the questionnaire because of a psychological condition or an anxiety disorder that is severe).
• Contraindication for routine mucosal specimen collection (e.g. bleeding disorder, etc.).
Studying the visual attention and memory in relation to the brain dynamics in healthy adults
This is a study that will investigate the relationship between visual attention and memory and brain dynamics in healthy volunteers by manipulating brain oscillations with transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS).
• age 18–40 years
• healthy volunteers with no history of neurological or psychiatric illness
• normal or corrected-to-normal vision
• history of neurological or psychiatric disorders
• metal implants or implanted electronic medical devices
• women who are pregnant
Developing and pilot testing an intervention to reduce household shisha smoke exposure within Somali homes
In this study, we want to find out more about secondhand smoke from shisha smoking in the home. We want to help families learn more about the risks of shisha smoke in the home and find ways to stop smoking at home.
• families who identify as Somali American
• have one or more children between 6 months and 18 years of age in the home
• have at least one adult who uses shisha at home
• families with other forms of tobacco use in addition to shisha use will be included
• inability or unwillingness to complete all study procedures
Menopause Transition, Sex Hormone Deficiency and Autonomic and Vascular Function
This study is being done to learn more about the influence of the menopausal transition on autonomic and vascular function in midlife females. Participants will have their vitals taken and height, weight and waist-to-hip ratio measurements done, complete questionnaires, have blood draws, have electrical activity of a nerve in the leg measured (optional), have blood vessel function measured in the arm, perform breathing exercises, and complete a cold pressor test (putting a hand in ice-cold water). Participants will also have a scan to measure body composition and bone density.
• women who are 45-55 years old
• premenopausal
• currently have a normal menstrual cycle
• not planning to become pregnant for the duration of participation in the study
• able to read, write & speak English
• diabetes
• pregnant or breastfeeding
• cardiac or lung disorders
• severe obesity (body mass index [BMI] ≥ 40 kg/m 2 )
• hypertension
• obstructive sleep apnea
• current use of heart or blood pressure medications or antidepressants
• history of treatment with chemotherapy/radiation
• coagulopathy disorders and/or use of anticoagulant medications
• current use of hormonal contraceptives
• nicotine/tobacco use in the last six months
• current alcohol abuse
Plasticity of motor systems in early stage Parkinson's disease
The purpose of this project is to provide new knowledge of the relationship between structural and functional changes in cortico-basal ganglia pathways and the severity of motor and non-motor deficits in humans with PD.
• Diagnosis of Parkinson's disease
• Not taking medication to treat Parkinson's
• Age: 21-75 years
• Able to walk independently Inclusion Criteria For Control Subject Group: Age and sex matched to participants with PD and able to walk independently
• Dementia diagnosis
• History of musculoskeletal disorders
• History of bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder or major depressive disorder
• Other significant neurological disorders that may affect participation or performance in the study
• Implanted DBS or other neurosurgeries to treat PD
• Pregnant women
• History of seizures, epilepsy, stroke, multiple sclerosis, or traumatic brain injury
• Intracranial metallic or magnetic devices (e.g. cochlear implant, deep brain stimulator)
• Pacemaker or any implanted device
• History of surgery on blood vessels, brain, or heart
• Unexplained, recurring headaches or concussion within the last six months
• Severe hearing impairment Exclusion Criteria for Control subject Group: same as exclusion criteria of PD group
Neural and Behavioral Markers of the Temporal Dynamics of Language Planning and Phonological Working Memory Processes in Persons Who Stutter
This is a study of persons who do and do not stutter between ages 4 and 65 years. This study is trying to figure out how attention skills influence memory, language, and speech fluency skills.
• age 7 through 65 years
• remaining eligibility will be determined based on response to an intake survey
TMS x DPX
We will examine whether the benefits of brain stimulation on mental functioning can be enhanced if an individual is actively engaging the target brain networks while receiving brain stimulation. The study includes two separate sessions and people will complete either a cognitive task or a perceptual task while we are measuring the change in brain function with EEG. Please fill out the linked screening questionnaire to determine if you are eligible.
• age 18 to 65
• diagnosed with a psychiatric disorder
• potential contraindications to EEG (e.g. visible scalp abrasions, non-removable hair extensions and/or hair styling that would impede proper EEG recording)
• potential contraindication to TMS (as identified by the TMS safety screener)
• any previous adverse reaction to TMS or MRI
• diagnosed with epilepsy or previously experienced a seizure
• diagnosed with a neurological condition, such as stroke or tinnitus
• experienced a head trauma that was diagnosed as concussion
• current use of, or recent withdrawal from, medications that can increase the risk of seizure
• currently pregnant
• any metal in the head (excluding mouth) or have an implanted medical device
Characterizing Balance and Postural Control in Children with Autism Using Virtual Reality Technology
The purpose of this study is to characterize balance and postural control in children with autism spectrum disorder and those with typical development. Participants will be asked to complete one lab visit. During this visit, parents will be asked to complete questionnaires about their family demographics and child behaviors, and their child's balance performance will be assessed using a virtual reality-based balance assessment. We are recruiting two groups of parents and children with ages ranging between 5-15 years to participate in this study. One group will include children with a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders and their parents and the other group will be typically developing children who have no developmental, neurological or medical conditions and their parents.
• children 7 to 15 years old
• confirmed diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder by a licensed healthcare provider who administered ADOS
• able to maintain standing position
• able to follow instructions
• children with typical development who have no history of developmental, neurological or orthopedic problems will serve as a comparison group
• a significant medical, behavioral, neurological, psychiatric condition (e.g. anxiety) that preclude balance assessment
• balance assessment (e.g., chronic motion sickness)
• visual/hearing impairment
• children on medications that could impact one’s ability to maintain standing balance
• children with parents unable to communicate in English at a level to provide informed consent
The University of Minnesota Perinatal Health Repository
This research is being done to collect blood and placenta samples to better understand how pregnancy impacts the health of mother and child. The goal of this research is to better understand what causes some pregnancy complications and how this impacts the longer term health of mothers and children.
• pregnant women who are at least 18 years of age and their neonates/children
• seen in Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinics for pre-conception, prenatal or postpartum care
The effects of cigarette smoking and alcohol on DNA damage in the oral cavity
The purpose of this study to examine the effects of cigarette smoking and drinking alcohol on the formation of DNA damage in the mouth. The overall goal is to identify DNA damage that may be important to the development of head and neck cancers.
• 21 years of age or older
• Smoke cigarettes daily
• Drink alcohol regularly
• Use other tobacco/nicotine products
Global Registry For Novel Therapies In Rare Bone & Endocrine Conditions (Le-Na)
This research study is for creating a registry of all ages with conditions in endocrine and both health. Registries are used very often these days by doctors and scientists to collect information and use to perform research into rare conditions. This registry will be part of a global registry, called "GloBE-Reg" with the University of Glasgow (Scotland) and with the University of MInnesota.
• for this study is not for any specific diagnosis
• any child receiving human growth hormone treatment
A Pilot Study of a Portable Head-Only MRI Scanner
This study is to investigate, validate and address remaining technical challenges of new imaging techniques used on a portable MRI machine. The research study consists of a one-time study visit that could last approximately 2.5 hours.
• 18 years of age or older
• able to consent for self
• free of contraindications for MRI
• currently pregnant
• extremely claustrophobic
SUSTAINED RELEASE ORAL FORMULATION FOR TREATMENT OF PARKINSON'S DISEASE
Medications used to treat Parkinson's disease will be delivered using a sachet ; placed in the oral/buccal cavity (between cheek and gum of lower jaw). This study may be a good fit for you if you are healthy, between the ages of 18 and 65, and aren’t currently taking regular medications. We expect that you will be in this research study for one visit, approximately 7 hours total. Compensation and transportation expenses will be provided.
• Normal healthy
• 18-65 years of age
• Not currently taking medications regularly
• Able to fast 6 hours, only water allowed
D2D - What's Bugging You? Assessing the public's knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of tick and mosquito borne diseases.
You are invited to take part in a survey to help us learn more about what people know and think about diseases that are spread by ticks and mosquitoes. This study is being conducted by the researchers at the University of Minnesota Medical School on the Duluth Campus. The goal is to understand how people feel about these diseases and how much they know about how to protect themselves.
• MN and WI residents
• age 16 and up
• English speaking
Oxidative Stress Markers in Heart Failure II
This research is being done to better understand why people develop a type of heart failure where the heart contracts normally but does not relax well. By comparing levels of chemicals in the blood that are secreted by the body in subjects with normal hearts and in subjects with abnormal relaxation, we hope to gain a better understanding of why heart failure occurs.
• Looking for both healthy and diastolic dysfunction participants who have had an echo in the past 6 months
• Age greater than or equal to 18 years
• Transthoracic echocardiogram within 1 year prior to enrollment containing tissue Doppler, mitral inflow velocities, left ventricular ejection fraction and left ventricular end‐diastolic volume index data
• Able to provide written consent
• Healthy patients with an E/e’ ratio < 15
• Patients with asymptomatic diastolic dysfunction with an E/e’ ratio > 15
• Able to give a blood sample
• EF greater than or equal to 50%
• EF<50%
• Any regional wall motion defects, any valvular heart disease with greater than a mild stenosis or regurgitation, any congenital or other significant structural heart disease,
• Patients undergoing cancer treatment
• Patients with an anticipated life expectancy less than 18 months.
• Age < 75 years
• Previous hospital admission for acute heart failure
• History of NYHA Class II, III or IV functional status
• The need for loop diuretics specifically for heart failure at any time.
• History of congestive heart failure.
• History of coronary artery disease.
• History of myocardial infarction.
• Significant structural heart disease
• Evidence of infiltrative cardiac disease
• Atrial fibrillation (AF) within 6 weeks
• Rhythm other than sinus at enrollment
• Patient with a pacemaker
• Cardiogenic shock
• History of heart transplant or left ventricular assist device
• Hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis
• Active infection including bacteremia
• Major trauma or surgery within 6 weeks
• Collagen vascular disease if on active treatment including steroids and other immunomodulating drugs
• Systemic steroid use within 6 week.
Studies of Complex Auditory Perception
This study involves testing auditory and speech perception using behavioral and non-invasive physiological measures in humans.
• Native English speaker as all test materials are in English
• Any neurological disorder diagnosis
Cannabidiol (CBD) and Stress Response: Psychobiological Mechanisms
This study includes healthy adults between the ages of 21-70 who either use or do not cannabidiol (CBD) regularly. The purpose of this study is to learn about how CBD users and nonusers respond to stress. Participants must be willing to attend one in-person visit at the University of Minnesota Duluth campus
• 21 to 70 years old
• generally healthy
• use CBD regularly or do not use CBD
• willing to attend one in-person visit at the University of Minnesota Duluth campus
• current, unstable physical or mental health condition
• women who are currently pregnant
• current use of illicit substances (other than cannabis)
Health Beliefs and Behaviors of Lung Cancer Screening in Chinese Americans
The rate of lung cancer screening is not optimal among Chinese American high-risk smokers, although there is a high lung cancer rate among this population. We want to validate the adapted Chinese Lung Cancer Screening Health Belief Scale, enable its usage in Chinese Americans, and further explore the relationship between lung cancer screening health beliefs and health behavior among Chinese Americans. We will also aim to identify the differences in health beliefs regarding lung cancer screening between high-risk populations in China and Chinese Americans, and to examine factors influencing these differences.
• 50 to 80 years old
• self- identified as a descendent of Chinese
• live in the United States
• current smoker or quit in the past 15 years
• can read Chinese/English
• history of lung cancer
• cognitive problems
Causal inference and impact of prior beliefs on perception
The study is being conducted in order to further understand how we perceive the world, and if and how this may be different in individuals on the autism spectrum. We hope to further understand sensory processing differences in autism.
• 14to 36 years old
• right-handed
• normal (or corrected) vision - normal hearing
• able to sit quietly and make judgments of sensory stimuli
• diagnosis of Autism
• history of epilepsy
Gender Identity Measurement In Early School Aged Children
The goal of this study is to learn more about how children (ages 5-8 years) describe their gender identities. We are also interested in learning more about the ways children think and develop. We will be giving children several tasks designed as games to assess flexibility in thinking, creativity, and the ability to take another person’s perspective.
• Ages 5 to 8
• English speaking
• unable to speak English
Dynamic Effects in Peripheral Auditory Processing
The purpose of this study is to learn more about the origin of tinnitus (phantom sound) and how age and hearing loss affect the ability to hear simple and complex sounds, such as tones and speech, presented in isolation and in the presence of other competing sounds. Possible participants may have normal hearing or mild-to-moderate hearing loss. Participants will be seated in a sound-treated room and listen to sounds over headphones, insert earphones (earbuds), or via loudspeakers. The tasks involve making judgments about the sounds, such as discriminating which of two sounds appeared to fluctuate in intensity or reporting the words in a sentence.
• Ages 18-30 yrs or 55-75 yrs
• Good overall health
• No hearing loss or mild to moderate hearing loss
• Neurologic disorders
• Past head trauma
• Tinnitus
Vestibular and Cortical Contributions to Transitions in Freezing of Gait and Parkinson's Disease
This study will examine the brain activation associated with the transition between movements in Parkinson’s disease, and if these changes are related to the development of problems with moving (like freezing of gait) and thinking. We will look at brain activity associated with the vestibular (inner ear) and cortical (surface of the brain) systems. People with Parkinson’s disease (especially people with freezing of gait) sometimes have difficulty initiating changes in movement types, such as going from standing to walking, turning, or switching between slow and fast repetitive movements. The difficulty in movement transitions may be associated with an overactive vestibular system (inner ear) or cortical system. In each experiment in this study, we expect about 20-25 participants with Parkinson’s disease and freezing of gait, 20-25 participants with Parkinson’s without freezing of gait, and 20-25 control participants
• 40 to 80 years old
• diagnosis of idiopathic PD with and without freezing gait
• able to walk independently without the use of an assistive device (e.g. cane) for 50 meters (about 160 feet)
• for HEALTHY OLDER ADULTS: 40 to 80 years old, able to walk independently without a cane or walker and able to perform complex activities of daily living independently
• any musculoskeletal disorder that affects the ability to stand or walk
• history of musculoskeletal disorders that significantly affect movement of lower limbs
• uncorrected visual impairment
• history of visual and/or vestibular conditions
• moderate to severe hearing impairment
• women who are pregnant
• study staff will discuss additional exclusion criteria