Welcome to the Eating Disorders Studies Page

CURRENT STUDIES THAT MAY INTEREST YOU

Personality, Affect, Interactions, and Risk for Suicide (PAIRS) Study

Are you between the ages of 18-35? You may be able to participate in a study that understand how certain types of social interactions influence mood, decision-making, and biological responses that may contribute to risk for suicidal behaviors among young adults.

Anxiety

DURATION: 4 months

VISITS: 2 remote 1 in-person

LOCATION: Oakland

COMPENSATION: up to $105

Neurofeedback for Borderline Personality Disorder Study

Are you 18-55 years old and been diagnosed with borderline personality disorder? If so, you may be able to participate in a research study to find out if an intervention called neurofeedback can improve symptoms in people with borderline personality disorder. Participation involves interviews, questionnaires, and MRI scanning. Compensation provided.

DURATION: 3 months

VISITS: 4

LOCATION: Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic

COMPENSATION: $230

Alcoholic Hepatitis Network Observational Study - Heavy Drinkers

Do you actively consume alcohol - do you consume at least 20 drinks per week (women) and at least 30 drinks per week (men) and have no known history of liver diseases? Participants will undergo a physical exam, blood draws, provide urine and stool samples, and complete questionnaires.

VISITS: 2 - 1 hour visits

LOCATION: UPMC Montefiore

COMPENSATION: $50

Familial Pathways Study (FamPath): The Role of Inflammation and Stress in Youth Suicidal Behavior

Are you 18-30 years old and have a diagnosis of mood disorder? You may be eligible to participate in a study to learn more about the role of biological markers of suicidality that may run in families and brain inflammation in suicidal behavior in young adults. Studies suggest increased inflammation is associated with suicidal behavior. Compensation provided.

DURATION: 12 months

VISITS: 4 visits

LOCATION: Oakland - Bellefield Towers

COMPENSATION: $750

NO IN-PERSON VISITS

The Alcohol Survey Knowledge (ASK) Study

Are you between the ages of 21 and 60 and would you say that you have been a heavy drinker (i.e. 4 or 5 drinks twice/month for a three month period) within the past 2 years? You may be able to participate in a research study that will help to understand how people describe their experience with impaired control over alcohol use.

LOCATION: Teams (i.e., virtually) or at the Youth and Family Research Program Lab

COMPENSATION: $100

Bone Adaptations to Physical Training

The primary purpose is to determine the bone density, structure and strength adaptations that result from various exercise programs which differ based on the frequency and intensity of bone loading. Subjects will complete 24 weeks of resistance training or maintain their current activity level without beginning any formal exercise training program and participate in laboratory visits.

Arthritis

Bones, Joints, and Muscles

DURATION: 6 months

VISITS: 6 (plus possible training visits)

LOCATION: University of Pittsburgh - Oakland

COMPENSATION: $1000

NO IN-PERSON VISITS

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.

DURATION: 45 minutes

VISITS: 1 visit or phone call

LOCATION: By phone

COMPENSATION: NONE

NO IN-PERSON VISITS

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.

DURATION: About 45 minutes

VISITS: No in-person visits

LOCATION: By phone

COMPENSATION: NONE

Pain in the Brain Study for Individuals with Suicidal Thoughts and Non-Suicidal Self-Injury

Have you recently had suicidal thoughts and engaged in non-suicidal self-injury, such as cutting? Are you aged 18-24? You may be able to participate in a research study to help better understand why some people harm themselves on purpose and to learn more about how physical pain and emotional pain may be related in the brain. Compensation provided.

DURATION: 4 months

VISITS: 1 in-person & 1 remote

LOCATION: UPMC Presbyterian Hospital, Online, and By Phone

COMPENSATION: Up to $170

Brain Inflammation in Suicidal Behavior in Young Adults

Are you 18-30 years old and currently receiving mental health treatment? You may be able to participate in a study to learn more about inflammatory markers related to suicidal behavior in young adults. This study involves completing an interview and questionnaires, bloodwork, and an MRI and PET scan of the brain. Compensation is provided.

DURATION: Up to 6 months

VISITS: At least 1

LOCATION: UPMC Presbyterian Hospital - Oakland

COMPENSATION: Up to $270

Benzodiazepine Discontinuation Study

Are you currently receiving opioid maintenance treatment (methadone or buprenorphine)? And do you regularly take benzodiazepines (such as Valium, Klonopin, or Xanax) and are interested in discontinuing benzodiazepine use? You may be able to participate in a research study that will help you to slowly stop taking benzodiazepines by teaching you skills to help with withdrawal.

DURATION: 6 months

VISITS: 14 Visits

LOCATION: 3501 Forbes Avenues, University of Pittsburgh – Oakland , UPMC Mercy, UPMC Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic

COMPENSATION: up to $250

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.

VISITS: one in person visit

LOCATION: Convenient locations near you including Altoona, Monroeville, North Hills, Oakland, Philadelphia, Shadyside, the South Hills and more!

COMPENSATION: $25.00 gift card

Hormonal Skin Patch for Women with Anorexia Nervosa

Are you a 19-45 year old woman diagnosed with anorexia nervosa? You may be able to participate in a research study to help find out if a hormonal skin patch can improve bone density in women with anorexia nervosa. Participation involves imaging studies, blood tests, and nutritional analyses. Compensation is provided.

Eating Disorders

Other Bones, Joints, and Muscles

Women's Health

AGE: 19 - 45

SEX ASSIGNED AT BIRTH: Female

DURATION: 18 months

VISITS: 6 visits & 3 phone calls

LOCATION: UPMC Montefiore Hospital, UPMC Presbyterian Hospital - Oakland & Neuromuscular Research Lab - South Side

COMPENSATION: Up to $575 & parking or transportation reimbursement

NO IN-PERSON VISITS

EASY Research Study – Ages 18-24

Are you an 18-24 year old who has recently accessed emergency or crisis services for behavioral health related issues? If so, you may be able to take part in a research study to help better understand how to assess mood, behaviors, and suicide risk in young adults. This study involves four online or phone sessions over about one year. Compensation is provided.

VISITS: 4 (no in-person visits)

LOCATION: Online & By Phone

COMPENSATION: Up to $125

RELATED RESEARCH AREAS:

Food, Nutrition, and Metabolism, Mental Health and Behavior