Welcome to the Other Brain and Nervous System Studies Page

CURRENT STUDIES THAT MAY INTEREST YOU


Decision Processes of Late-Life Suicide

Are you between the ages of 55-80 and experiencing symptoms of depression? If so, you may be able to participate in a research study to help understand why some people become depressed and have thoughts of hurting themselves, while others do not. Compensation provided.

Age Range
AGE:   55 - 80

Duration VISITS:  2-3 visits, with annual follow-ups
Location LOCATION:  Bellefield Towers (Oakland) or at your home


Eating Disorders Research Study

Do you have anorexia or bulimia and are you between the ages of 18-55? You may be able to participate in a research study looking at the relationship between cognitive function (mental processes like thinking and learning) and eating disorder symptoms. Study includes interviews, questionnaires, computer tasks, and an MRI scan. Compensation provided.

Age Range
AGE:   18 - 55

Duration DURATION:  6 months
VISITS:  4-5 visits
Location LOCATION:  Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic & Magnetic Resonance Research Center (MRRC) at UPMC Presbyterian Hospital


ENCORE fMRI Study for People with OCD

Do you have Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and are between the ages of 18-35? If so, you may be able to participate in a research study to learn more about the brains of people with OCD. Compensation provided.

Age Range
AGE:   18 - 35

Duration VISITS:  2 visits
Location LOCATION:  Oakland – Loeffler Building and UPMC Magnetic Resonance Imaging Research Center (MRRC) at UPMC Presbyterian


A Sensorimotor Microelectrode Brain-Machine Interface

Do you have limited or no ability to use both hands due to a cervical spinal cord injury, or a brainstem or spinal stroke? Are you age 22-70? This study involves the implantation of multiple sensors in the brain for approximately 1 year. Once the sensors are placed, participants will undergo training to learn to use brain activity to control computer cursors, video games, and a robotic arm.

Age Range
AGE:   22 - 70

Duration DURATION:  25 months
VISITS:  Multiple
Location LOCATION:  UPMC Presbyterian Hospital – Oakland


MyPaTH Story Booth 2.0

Interested in sharing your story about health, illness, or research? Patients and caregivers are needed to participate in a research study to help learn more about topics that are important to you and that may improve health and health care. Participation involves one 45-minute session that takes place over the phone. Eligible participants must be able to read and understand English.

Age Range
AGE:   18 and Up

Duration DURATION:  45 minutes
VISITS:  1 visit or phone call
Location LOCATION:  By phone


Electrode Headgear Testing Study

Do you use an augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) device or do you have ALS? If so, you may be interested in helping researchers by testing a newly designed dry electrode headset. Involves 1 session lasting up to 4 hours that will include communication tasks, such as copying sentences and describing a picture, along with completion of an online survey. Compensation is provided.

Age Range
AGE:   18 and Up

Duration DURATION:  Up to 4 hours
VISITS:  1
Location LOCATION:  Forbes Tower – Oakland or ICAN Talk Clinic – Carnegie, PA


Real World Testing of AAC-BCI

Do have a have a severe disability, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, or locked-in syndrome? If so, you may be interested in participating in a study that would provide an augmentative and alternative communication system with brain computer interface access that could be used in the home. Eligible participants require wheelchair assistive technology.

Age Range
AGE:   18 and Up

Duration DURATION:  Up to 2 years
VISITS:  Monthly visits to your home
Location LOCATION:  ICAN Talk Clinic – Carnegie, PA & your home


RESTORE Study

Do you experience dizziness or light-headedness or feel like you are going to faint when you stand up? Have you been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, multiple system atrophy, pure autonomic failure, non-diabetic autonomic neuropathy, or dopamine beta-hydroxylase deficiency? You may be able to participate in a research study to see if a drug called droxidopa can help. Compensation provided.

Age Range
AGE:   18 and Up

Duration DURATION:  Up to 9 months
VISITS:  Up to 18
Location LOCATION:  University of Pittsburgh Department of Neurology – Kaufmann Medical Building


ForAging: Facilitating Optimal Routines in Aging

Are you age 60 or older and have difficulty managing daily tasks? If so, you may be eligible to participate in a study to help researchers test a new strategy used to improve daily task performance. Involves testing of your thinking and daily activities, PET scanning, and being randomized (like the flip of a coin) to receive either an intervention or close monitoring. Compensation is provided.

Age Range
AGE:   60 and Up

Duration DURATION:  About 15 months
VISITS:  Varies
Location LOCATION:  UPMC Presbyterian Hospital and Home


Ultrasound Imaging Study for Individuals with Spinal Cord Injury

Do you have a spinal cord injury and do you use a wheelchair as your primary means of mobility? Have you had a pressure sore on your buttocks? If so, you may be eligible to participate in a 1-visit research study to help better understand how bone shape affects the development of pressure sores. Compensation is provided.

Age Range
AGE:   18 and Up

Duration DURATION:  2-3 hours
VISITS:  1 visit
Location LOCATION:  Bakery Square, East End


Remote Wheelchair Maintenance Training Program

Do you have a traumatic spinal injury and use a wheelchair as your primary means of mobility (over 40 hours a week)? If so, you may be interested in a study to help researchers assess the effectiveness of using an online training program to teach wheelchair users how to improve maintenance techniques. You will be able to choose between 3 levels of participation. Compensation provided.

Age Range
AGE:   18 and Up

Duration DURATION:  Varies
VISITS:  Varies
Location LOCATION:  Online


Memory and Sleep Study

Are you aged 60-85? Are you experiencing difficulties with memory or managing daily tasks, or have you been diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment? If so, you may be eligible to participate in a research study to examine the effects of magnetic brain stimulation on sleep and cognitive function. Involves one 48-hour overnight stay in the sleep lab. Compensation and parking are provided.

Age Range
AGE:   60 - 85

Duration VISITS:  2 visits
Location LOCATION:  Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic in Oakland


VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Research Registry— Adults with Aphasia

Do you have aphasia caused by a stroke or other brain injury? If so, you may be able to join a research registry to help learn more about speech and language problems and to identify volunteers for future communication disorders research studies. There is no compensation for joining this registry, but individual research studies you may be contacted about in the future may offer compensation.

Age Range
AGE:   18 and Up

Duration VISITS:  At least 1 visit
Location LOCATION:  University of Pittsburgh and VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System


Wheelchair Maintenance App

Do you have a non-progressive spinal cord injury that occurred over 1 year ago, and do you use a wheelchair as your primary means of mobility? If so, you may be eligible to participate in a study to track wheelchair use, breakdowns and repairs through an app. Eligible participants must have a smartphone or tablet with internet access. Compensation provided.

Age Range
AGE:   18 and Up

Duration DURATION:  Up to 5 years
Location LOCATION:  Online


Assessment of an Experimental Robotic-Assisted Transfer Device – Phase 2: Power Wheelchair Users

Do you use a mobility device at least 3 days/week? Do you weigh 180 lbs. or less and fit in an 18-in. wide and 16-in. deep seat? If so, you may be eligible to participate in a study to help researchers evaluate how effective and usable a robotic transfer assist device (HERL-RATD) is compared to a commercially available manual hydraulic (Hoyer) lift. Compensation provided.

Age Range
AGE:   18 and Up

Duration VISITS:  1 in-person visit lasting about 4 hours
Location LOCATION:  Human Engineering Research Laboratories at Bakery Square - Pittsburgh


Dementia with Lewy Bodies Consortium (DLBC)

Do you have diagnosed or suspected dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), mild cognitive impairment that may progress to DLB, or Parkinson’s disease dementia? If so, you may be able to participate in a research study to help learn more about DLB and find better ways to identify and treat the disease in the future. Compensation is provided.

Age Range
AGE:   40 - 90

Duration DURATION:  About 5 years
VISITS:  8 visits
Location LOCATION:  UPMC Montefiore Hospital, UPMC Presbyterian Hospital, & Kaufmann Medical Building


EASE Study: Managing Emotions for Young Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Do you have autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and are 18-21 years old? If so, you may be able to participate in a research study to help find out if a new program called Emotion Awareness and Skills Enhancement (EASE) can help young adults with ASD manage their emotions. Compensation provided.

Age Range
AGE:   18 - 21

Duration DURATION:  About 6 months
VISITS:  Multiple
Location LOCATION:  Webster Hall - Oakland


Study on the Safety of Stopping Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Medications

Do you have multiple sclerosis (MS), but have not had any disease activity in at least the past 5 years? Have you been taking MS medications for at least 5 years? Are you age 55 or up? If so, you may be able to participate in a research study to help find out if it is safe to stop taking MS medications, since the risk of relapse decreases in people ages 55 and older. Compensation provided.

Age Range
AGE:   55 and Up

Duration DURATION:  2 years
VISITS:  5 visits
Location LOCATION:  UPMC Multiple Sclerosis Center - Oakland


LATTICE Study

Do you have trouble with your memory or concentration? Are you age 60 or older? If so, you may be able to participate in a research study to find out if the medication lithium can prevent or slow down memory loss. Compensation is provided.

Age Range
AGE:   60 and Up

Duration DURATION:  2 years
VISITS:  Multiple
Location LOCATION:  UPMC Presbyterian Hospital & Biomedical Science Tower 3 (Oakland)


All of Us Pennsylvania Research Program

You may be able to change the future of medicine. The All of Us PA Research Program is enrolling adults 18 years of age or older. This may be your chance to improve how your children and your children’s children receive medical care.

Age Range
AGE:   18 and Up

Duration VISITS:  one initial visit
Location LOCATION:  Convenient locations near you including Altoona, Monroeville, North Hills, Oakland, Philadelphia, Shadyside, the South Hills and more!


PROMOTE Study

Do you have a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis or a related disorder? If so, you may be able to participate in a research study to help better understand the factors that explain the differences among multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. Study involves answering questionnaires, reviewing medical records and participating in other optional research activities.

Age Range
AGE:   18 and Up

Duration DURATION:  Up to 30 years
VISITS:  Multiple
Location LOCATION:  University of Pittsburgh - Oakland


Mood and Personality Research Study

Have you been diagnosed with (or tested for) borderline personality disorder (BPD), and are aged 18-45? You may be able to take part in a research study to help learn more about brain function in people with BPD. This study involves interviews and an MRI scan. Participants will be compensated.

Age Range
AGE:   18 - 45

Duration VISITS:  Multiple
Location LOCATION:  Western Psychiatric Institute & Clinic and UPMC Presbyterian


NOP Receptor Imaging in Alcoholism

The University of Pittsburgh Departments of Radiology and Psychiatry are seeking adults ages 23-55 who have a problem with alcohol for a brain imaging research study. Participation involves questionnaires, interviews, and brain scanning (1 MRI, 1 CT, and 1 PET scan). Compensation provided.

Age Range
AGE:   23 - 55

Duration DURATION:  4 Months
VISITS:  Multiple
Location LOCATION:  Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic (WPIC) & UPMC Presbyterian


Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder Study (Perspectives Program)

Do you have a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and are between the ages of 18 and 45? You may be able to participate in a research study to find out if two new non-drug treatments can benefit people with ASD. Compensation provided.

Age Range
AGE:   18 - 45

Duration DURATION:  18 months
VISITS:  Weekly visits
Location LOCATION:  University of Pittsburgh


Enroll-HD

Are you the spouse, caregiver, or family member of someone affected by Huntington’s disease (HD)? If so, you may be able to participate in a research study that is collecting data in an effort to improve understanding and treatment of Huntington’s disease (HD).

Age Range
AGE:   18 and Up

Duration VISITS:  Once per year
Location LOCATION:  Kaufmann Medical Building Oakland


Movement Disorders Research Registry

Do you have a movement disorder? If so, you may be able to participate in the Movement Disorders Registry. This registry is a list of individuals who are interested in being contacted about future research studies.

Age Range
AGE:   18 and Up

Duration VISITS:  None Required
Location LOCATION:  University of Pittsburgh


Multimodal Connectome Study – Congenital Heart Disease

Are you an adult between ages 18-60 years old who has Congenital Heart Disease? If so, you may be eligible to participate in a study to help researchers determine if differences in how the brain is formed and how it functions can predict behavior variations in different populations. Must be willing and able to undergo MRI scanning. Involves one study visit. Compensation provided.

Age Range
AGE:   18 - 50


Senior Moments Study – Healthy Volunteers Needed!

Do you experience occasional “senior moments” with your memory? Are you an African American man or woman who is at least 60 years old? Do you have a family member or close friend who can accompany you on study visits? If so, you may be able to participate in a research study to help identify memory problems at the earliest stages of Alzheimer’s disease.

Age Range
AGE:   60 and Up

Duration VISITS:  1 initial visit, with yearly follow-up
Location LOCATION:  UPMC Montefiore



RELATED RESEARCH AREAS:
  Brain and Nervous System

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