CURRENT STUDIES THAT MAY INTEREST YOU


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


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


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


COVID-19 and Multiple Sclerosis Survey Study – Participants with and without MS

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh are seeking participants with and without a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis for a survey study to help better understand the risk and impact of COVID-19. Participation in this research study involves completing multiple surveys online over the course of one year.

Age Range
AGE:   18 and up

Duration DURATION:  1 year
VISITS:  No in-person visits; multiple online surveys
Location LOCATION:  Online


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


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


MyPaTH Story Booth – COVID-19 Stories

Participants are invited to share how they are maintaining their health during the coronavirus pandemic, or to share what it is like being ill with COVID-19 and/or caring for a loved one who is ill with COVID-19. Participation in this research study 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:  About 45 minutes
VISITS:  No in-person visits
Location LOCATION:  By phone


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


CPI Validation Study

Have you had a traumatic brain injury (TBI) in the past year? If so, you may be able to take part in a study to help examine a new TBI assessment tool. This study involves completing questionnaires about your activities and symptoms. Eligible participants must live in their own home or a residential community and be willing to answer questions about their daily activities. Compensation provided.

Age Range
AGE:   18 and up

Duration DURATION:  4 months
VISITS:  2 assessments
Location LOCATION:  Bridgeside Point 1 100 Technology Drive Pittsburgh, PA 15219


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


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


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


ForAging: Facilitating Optimal Routines in Aging

Are you age 60 or older and do you have difficulty managing daily tasks such as shopping, paying bills, managing medications, etc.? If so, you may be eligible to participate in a research study to help find out if regular sessions with a rehabilitation specialist can help older adults improve their performance of daily activities. Compensation is provided.

Age Range
AGE:   60 and up

Duration DURATION:  About 15 months
VISITS:  Varies
Location LOCATION:  UPMC Presbyterian Hospital & Participant’s 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 use a wheelchair as your primary means of mobility (over 40 hours a week) due to a traumatic spinal cord injury? If so, you may be interested in participating in a research study to find out if an online training program designed to teach people how to improve wheelchair maintenance techniques is effective. Compensation provided.

Age Range
AGE:   18 and up

Duration DURATION:  Varies
Location LOCATION:  Online


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 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


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)


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


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