Featured Studies

Researchers at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Clinical Center seek healthy volunteers for a research study on opioid use disorder (OUD). The purpose of this research study is to learn how opiate use disorder affects dopamine signaling in the brain of people dependent on opioids.

Researchers at the National Institutes of Health seek volunteers, 21-60 years old, to participate in a study researching if a gene and smoking affect drinking. All study-related tests and procedures are provided at no cost to the study participant. Compensation may be provided.

National Cancer Institute (NCI) researchers are conducting a study of patients with rare central nervous system (CNS) tumors. More than 130 primary rare CNS (brain or spine) tumors have been identified. Most affect less than 2,000 people in the United States each year. This study will test whether stimulating the immune system using the drug nivolumab can shrink select rare brain or spine tumors or increase the time it takes for them to grow or spread.

Severe aplastic anemia is a rare and serious blood disorder. Patients with severe aplastic anemia commonly receive Cyclosporine to help improve blood counts. When cyclosporine treatment stops, the disease may return in one in three people. Researchers at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Clinical Center are studying if sirolimus, an immunosuppressant, can help prevent a relapse in patients diagnosed with severe aplastic anemia following cyclosporine treatment.

Fanconi anemia is a rare genetic disorder that mostly affects children and often leads to bone marrow failure. Researchers at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) are investigating a new drug to improve blood counts in individuals diagnosed with Fanconi anemia. Eltrombopag is an oral drug that mimics a special protein that causes the body to make more platelets. Currently eltrombopag is used to treat low platelet counts in patients with hepatitis C and chronic immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). Researchers are evaluating if this new drug will improve blood cell counts in individuals diagnosed with Fanconi anemia.

African-American women, ages 25-75, who are obese or overweight and pre-diabetic, are needed to participate in a research study at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Clinical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. Researchers want to explore if the use of mobile technology and coaching can help increase physical activity.

Crohn's disease is a chronic bowel illness that is a lifelong condition characterized by relapsing inflammation. Although there is no cure for Crohn's disease, researchers at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) are investigating if Vorinostat is safe for people with Crohn's Disease. Participants will receive maintenance therapy with Stelara® after successful treatment with Vorinostat.

Researchers at the National Institutes of Health are conducting a research study to learn more about the motor skill and brain development of infants who are at high-risk for or diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy (CP) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) compared to infants with typical development. The results of this study may assist with better methods for early diagnosis as well as improved treatment for children with CP and ASD. The results of this study may eventually assist with better methods for early diagnosis as well as improved treatment for children with autism.