
Search Results
Role of Pharmacotherapy in Counteracting Weight Regain in Adolescents with Severe Obesity
In this study we want to find out more about weight loss and how diet and medications can affect weight loss. This study will last for up to 58 weeks. There are two phases to the study: - A weight loss phase with prescribed meals that lasts 6 weeks. - A study medication/placebo phase that lasts up 52 weeks. You will not know if you are receiving the medication or the placebo.
• severe obesity (BMI >/= 120% of the 95th percentile or BMI >/= 35 kg/m2)
• 12 to less than 18 years of age at enrollment
• female participants who are sexually active with males and who are able to get pregnant must agree to use two forms of contraception throughout the trial
• diabetes (type 1 or 2)
• current or recent (< six months prior to enrollment) use of anti-obesity medication(s) (use of naltrexone or bupropion alone is not an exclusion)
• previous metabolic/bariatric surgery
• current use of a stimulant medication
• history of glaucoma
• current or recent (<14 days) use of monoamine oxidase inhibitor
• history of treatment with growth hormone
• history of bulimia nervosa
• major psychiatric disorder
• any history of active suicide attempt
• history of suicidal ideation or self-harm within the previous 30 days
• current pregnancy or plans to become pregnant during study participation
• current tobacco use
• history of cardiac, endocrine, kidney disease (study staff will review)
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
Ten Thousand 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
Neural Correlates of Goal Prioritization and Conscientiousness
This research will use neuroimaging to study the brain systems involved in prioritizing goals effectively, as well as testing whether variation in those systems is associated with the personality trait conscientiousness, which reflects organization, self-discipline, and industriousness and predicts important health and other life outcomes.
• age 20 - 50
• right handed
• no major psychiatric illness
• claustrophobia
• any metal or devices in the body (e.g., pace makers, aneurysm clips etc.)
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)
Lifestyle Counseling and Medication for Adolescent Weight Management (QUEST)
This study will compare the effectiveness and durability of intensive behavioral counseling vs. medical management plus low-intensity behavioral counseling on BMI, body fat, cardiometabolic risk factors, and quality of life in adolescents with severe obesity. We hypothesize that Wegovy (semaglutide) plus low-intensity behavioral counseling will elicit superior reductions in BMI and body fat and greater improvement in cardiometabolic factors and quality of life compared to intensive behavioral counseling at 56 weeks.
• ages 12-17
• BMI greater than or equal to the 95th percentile for age and sex
• Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes
• use of medications for obesity in the past 6 months
• any treatment with growth hormone
• bariatric surgery -major mental health diagnosis (study staff will review)
• pregnant or plan to become pregnant
• significant medical diagnosis (study staff will review)
Creativity Camp Study
This study explores how engaging in creative activities may be helpful for mental health and wellbeing in adolescents. Study participants will attend eight sessions (over two weeks) of Creativity Camp which involves a range of different kinds of arts activities. Participants will also complete a series of questionnaires, interviews, and other assessments to assess the potential benefits of the camp. We have previously shown that Creativity Camp is effective for reducing depression symptoms and improving well-being in adolescents with depression.
• ages 12-17
• neurodevelopmental disorder (e.g. intellectual disability, severe autism)
• major medical and/or neurological illness
Brain Training for Substance Use Disorders
Participants play games designed to train visual attention towards natural, non-drug-related scenarios. A biofeedback loop between gameplay and an electroencephalogram (EEG) system monitors game performance and guides game difficulty.
• 18 to 65 years of age
• admitted to Fairview's Lodging Plus program for chemical dependency treatment with opioid use being the primary reason
• able to read at a minimum of a 6th grade reading level
• willing to provide own contact information for follow-up visit(s)
• for HEALTHY CONTROLS: 18 to 65 years old, able to read at a minimum of a 6th grade reading level, and willing to provide own contact information for follow-up visit(s)
• pregnancy
• history of serious neurological illness (e.g., Chronic seizure disorder, Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome, Epilepsy, Any history of seizures)
• unable to see text and photos clearly on a computer display
• current or previous problems using opioids, other prescription (prescribed or not prescribed) or illicit drugs
• regular nicotine user (e.g., cigarette smoker, e-cig user) within the past 12 months and
• unwillingness to change hairstyle (e.g., braids, pony tails, dreadlocks) or remove wig to accommodate application of the EEG headset, if necessary
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
Brain Health Registry and Biospecimen Repository
The Brain Health Registry and Biospecimen Repository will create a research framework aiming to help us understand the causes of memory loss in Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative disorders. We would like to recruit research participants 45+ years and up without any memory complaints, participants subjectively reporting memory complaints, and participants suffering from mild cognitive impairment or dementia symptoms due to neurodegenerative diseases. We will ask study participants about their medical history, their demographics, their social determinants of health, do a sleep quality assessment, and do neuropsychometric assessments. We will also create a biospecimen repository of blood, tissue and cerebral spinal fluid samples from the above participants.
NEA Research Lab
This keystone study will invite adolescents into a 2-semester creative arts / science program, with arts activities taking place at the Masonic Institute of the Developing Brain (MIDB).
• age 13-17
• adolescents and at least one parent / guardian must be able to speak English
• unable to have a MRI (e.g. claustrophobia, braces)
• neurodevelopmental disorder (e.g. intellectual disability, severe autism)
• major medical and/or neurological illness
• pregnancy when starting the study
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
• age 21-80 years
• 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: 40-80 years old, able to walk independently without a cane or walker and able to perform complex activities of daily living independently
• for HEALTHY YOUNG ADULTS: 21-44 years and able to walk independently without a cane or walker
• 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
A Phase 1/2a Open-Label Dose-Ranging and Observer-Blind Placebo-Controlled, Safety and Immunogenicity Study of mRNA-1647 Cytomegalovirus Vaccine in Female and Male Participants 9 to 15 Years of Age; mRNA-1647-P104
This study it to test an investigational vaccine called mRNA-1647 that is being developed for preventing cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in people. CMV is a common virus that can spread easily through an infected person’s saliva or other body fluids such as blood, urine, and breast milk. We want see if the trial vaccine can prevent CMV infection in participants who have not been previously infected, to understand the safety (how many side effects you may have) of the trial vaccine, and to see if the trial vaccine results in participants making antibodies to CMV.
• female or male 9 to 15 years of age
• in good general health
• BMI requirements ( study staff will review)
• female participants of childbearing potential: negative pregnancy test and adequate contraception for at least 28 days prior to receiving vaccine through 3 months following vaccine administration
• received, or plans to receive, any nonstudy vaccine less than 28 days prior to or after any study medication
• any diagnosis or condition requiring significant changes in management or medication within the 2 months before starting the study
• contact study staff for review of additional exclusion criteria
Measurement of Upper Aerodigestive Tract Pressures During Phonation
The purpose of this pilot research study is to test whether a tool called “High-Resolution Manometry” can diagnose laryngeal dystonia (also known as spasmodic dysphonia) and measure how well treatment works. High-Resolution Manometry measures pressures from a small catheter that is passed from your nose into your throat. We believe that pressures in the throat might be different for people with laryngeal dystonia than for people without laryngeal dystonia, or with other types of voice disorders. If we can diagnose laryngeal dystonia shortly after symptoms start, we can get patients the treatment they need sooner.
• experienced improvement in voice quality following injection of botulinum toxin into the thyroarytenoid complex
• received their most-recent injection within 6 months
• age 18-80 years old
• able to read and write in English
• For Healthy Controls:
• age 18-80
• have no known voice problem
• able to read and write in English Patients with Muscle Tension Dysphonia:
• Age 18-80 (age-and sex matched to adductor laryngeal dystonia)
• Diagnosis of primary muscle tension dysphonia by a laryngologist and speech pathologist in the “...absence of current organic vocal fold pathology, [and] without obvious…neurologic etiology.”18
• Able to read and write in English
• Muscle tension dysphonia patients who either haven’t started voice therapy, or for whom symptoms persisted despite voice therapy
• diagnosis of vocal tremor, abductor laryngeal dystonia, any type of vocal fold lesion, or vocal fold paralysis
• known swallowing disorder (oropharyngeal or esophageal), with the exception of transient post-botulinum toxin injection-induced dysphagia
• pregnant
• prisoners
• allergy to topical anesthetic
• cannot fast for 6 hours (4 hour fast prior to study, up to 2 hours to complete the study)
• recent facial trauma
• recent nasal, pharyngeal, laryngeal, or esophageal surgery or obstruction
Vasomotor symptoms of menopause and cardiovascular disease: What is the link?
Study to examine the physiological responses that occur during a hot flush in postmenopausal women
• Reported nicotine/tobacco use within the last six months
• Diabetic or asthmatic
• Diagnosed significant carotid stenosis
• History of significant autonomic dysfunction, heart disease, respiratory disease, or severe neurologic condition such as stroke or traumatic brain injury
• Existing metabolic or endocrine abnormalities
• Use of heart/blood pressure medications that are determined to interfere with study outcomes
• Use of oral contraceptives (or other hormonal contraceptives, including intrauterine devices or contraceptive implants) and/or hormone therapy
• Pregnant or breastfeeding
• Unwilling or unable to refrain from consuming caffeine or alcohol in the 12 hours before visit two and three.
• Unwilling or unable to refrain from vigorous exercise (at least 10 minutes in duration) in the 12 hours before visit two or three
• Unwilling or unable to fast in the eight hours before visit two or three
• Body mass index ≥ 35 kg/m2
Stratifying Patient Immune Endotypes in Sepsis (SPIES Study)
The purpose of this research is to learn more about the immune function of patients who are critically ill and may or may not have sepsis through assessment of blood samples at the time of their illness. We will use the blood to determine whether the immune system is suppressed (slowed or stunted) and measure the amount of suppression. Our research team will compare blood from healthy participants to people who are critically ill to better understand immune system suppression.
• Adults age 45 and older
• Ability to obtain Informed Consent prior to blood collection.
• Current, chronic steroid use
• Pregnancy
• Current or recent (within 7 days) use of antibiotics.
Autonomic regulation of blood pressure in premature and early menopausal women
The goal of this study is to learn more about the effects of menopause on women's blood pressure and heart health. We are looking for women between the ages of 35 and 70 years to participate in the study. Participants may be pre- or postmenopausal; we are specifically interested in evaluating the influence of premature (< age 40 years) and early (< age 46 years) menopause.
• 35 to 70 years old
• experienced premature (less than 40 years old) or early (45 or younger) menopause OR
• premenopausal 35-49 years of age OR
• typical-age menopause who are between 50-70 years old
• menopause will be confirmed by report of amenorrhea for 12 months
• nicotine or tobacco use within the past six months
• have diabetes or asthma
• diagnosed significant carotid stenosis
• additional medical diagnosis (study staff will review)
• women who are pregnant or breastfeeding
Impact of a full-mouth electronic toothbrush on indicators of gingivitis and patient perceptions: A randomized clinical trial
The purpose of this trial is to investigate a full-mouth electronic toothbrush (FMET) and foam system compared to a conventional electronic toothbrush (ETB) and dentifrice during a 30-day period to evaluate the impact on clinical indicators of gingivitis, plaque, safety, and patient perceptions.
• diagnosis of mild to moderate gingivitis
• minimum of five natural teeth in each quarter of the mouth
• willing to stop all professional oral hygiene care
• willing to stop use of any other dental cleaning aids (dental floss, water flossers, interdental brushes, dental or tooth picks, mouthwash, etc.)
• access to personal email account and a device connected to the internet
• aggressive, necrotizing, uncommon periodontal disease, or any uncontrolled periodontal condition
• unable to independently brush teeth
• fixed prosthesis (i.e. implant retained denture), orthodontic appliance or under orthodontic treatment
• pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or unsure of pregnancy status
• use of cigarettes within the last year
Registry Study of Childhood Cancer in Minnesota
The aim of this study is to obtain newborn blood spots (NBS) and tumor specimens for children and adolescents diagnosed with malignant neoplasms.
• 0 to 21 years of age
• child diagnosed with any type of tumor or cancer
• born in a state that banks newborn blood spots
• able to understand English or Spanish
• parents or siblings may also contribute specimens
The Lung Cell Study (TLC)
The purpose of our research study is to increase our understanding on the human lung immune response to infection. We aim to use this knowledge to develop novel approaches on the prevention and treatment of lung infections. To accomplish this, we plan to obtain cells from the airways and blood of healthy volunteers to perform immune experiments.
• healthy volunteers without systemic or respiratory disease
• non-smokers or former smokers who quit more than 6 months ago (including marijuana)
• ages 18-50
• preferred but not required: have lived in countries in Africa, Latino America or South East Asia
• preferred but not required: history of positive tuberculosis (TB) skin or blood test
• recent illness, bleeding disorders, or a history of heart, lung, or systemic disease
• weakened immune system or use of immunosuppressant medication
• use of inhaled substances in the past six months or history of heavy smoking
• allergy or prior adverse reaction to lidocaine, midazolam, or fentanyl
• pregnancy
Assessments of sound perception and brain activation in response to paired sound and electrical stimulation of surface ear regions
We are investigating how paired non-invasive electrical stimulation of surface body regions and sound changes sound perception and tinnitus. Body stimulation regions include: external ear/behind the ear, shoulder, neck, forearm, hand, and upper arm. We aim to better understand the optimal conditions of this paired stimulation, which opens opportunities for applying this method to improving hearing loss or tinnitus. We are studying three groups of people: those with normal hearing, those with mild to moderate hearing loss, and those with tinnitus.
• normal hearing or hearing loss with or without tinnitus
• not users of Cochlear Implant or hearing aids
Characterization of spleen motion and anatomy using imaging and sensors
This research is being performed to examine how the spleen moves during breathing in various body positions and breathing conditions. Physical measurements of the participant's body will be recorded (weight, height, and body dimensions) and then noninvasive recordings of the spleen and breathing patterns will be recorded. The spleen motion will be measured using standard abdominal ultrasound imaging, and breathing will be measured with accelerometers (small devices about the size of a quarter that measure the movement of the chest during breathing).
• at least 18 years old
• individuals who have had a splenectomy
• people with breathing difficulties and/or individuals for whom short breath holds and modification of breathing patterns is difficult or uncomfortable
• unable to maintain five body positions: sitting, sitting with a 45 degree recline, laying on back (supine), laying on right side, and laying face down (prone) comfortably and independently
• unable to speak and read English
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 7 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
Optimizing transcranial magnetic stimulation for stimulant use disorder
We want to learn more about your brain processes, and how a type of brain stimulation device called TMS can be used to enhance treatment for stimulant use disorder.
• age 18 or older
• able to abstain from drug and alcohol use for at least 2 weeks
• confident level of English language proficiency
• any organic brain disorder (such as traumatic brain injury, stroke)
• head injury resulting in skull fracture or loss of consciousness for 30 minutes or more
• unable to have TMS (history of seizures, metallic cranial plates/screws or implanted device)
• unable to have a MRI (unapproved metallic implants, pacemakers or any other implanted electrical device, shrapnel, metallic braces, non-removable body piercings, pregnancy, breathing or movement disorder, claustrophobia)
• any psychotic disorder (Participants with other treated and stable psychiatric disorders will be included)
• pregnancy or breastfeeding
Targeting Family Meal Quality and Quantity to Reduce Childhood Obesity Using Ecological Momentary Intervention (EMI) and Video Feedback
The proposed study is an individual three-arm randomized controlled tiled aimed at utilizing state-of-the-art intervention methods to examine whether increasing the quality and the quantity of family meals reduces childhood obesity.
• Child 5-10 years old
• Have a sibling who lives in the home with the child
• Live in the Metro area
• Speaks English or Spanish
Extracellular Vesicles as Potential Biomarkers and Therapeutic Target in Gaucher Disease (Le-Na)
This is an observational study intended to generate preliminary data to understand how lysosomal dysfunction can affect the biogenesis of extracellular vesicles, its content and function. The study entails 2 visits over a 3-month period. On enrollment, participants will be scheduled for the 2 visits, during which fasting blood samples will be collected.
• ages 18 to 80
• healthy volunteers without any known diagnosis
• hematological cancer or other uncontrolled medical conditions
Help Us Help U: Your Voice in Research
The Clinical and Translational Science Institute at the University of Minnesota is asking the public questions to learn how they feel about health research. Health research is when people study a health problem to understand it better. The goal is to help patients and make communities healthier. This study is an anonymous online survey that could take up to 10 minutes. Responses will help shape future studies and improve participant experiences. Click *Visit the Study Website* to take the survey!
• 18 years or older
• Unable to read English
Testing the feasibility of a clinic-based assessment of exercise-induced maximum heart rate and heart rate recovery in adults without cardiovascular disease
We want to explore whether it is possible for adults without symptoms of heart disease to perform a short, high intensity exercise routine in a clinic setting in order to measure maximum heart rate and heart rate recovery. If this method is successful, it could be used by patients and clinicians to estimate and track heart health over time.
• able to perform short-term intense exercise
• history of heart disease such as heart failure, valve disease, arrhythmia etc.
• resting symptoms of shortness of breath or chest discomfort
• resting heart rate of 100 or greater
• high blood pressure
• women who are pregnant
• unable to speak and understand English
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
Physiological Monitoring of Participants with Chronic Pain Feasibility Study
We are asking people to participate in this study to help us learn more about how physiology (heart rate, sweating, temperature, etc.) of people with pain conditions changes based on perceived pain level. The goal is to use this information to help develop a new medical device designed to help better manage chronic pain, although we are only collecting information at this time, and there will be no treatment provided as part of this study. We expect that people will be in this research study for a maximum of 2 weeks.
• diagnosed with painful peripheral neuropathy
• have experienced pain for at least 3 months