Welcome to the Featured Pediatric Research Studies Page

LOCATION: Bellefield Towers – Oakland and/or Online or By Phone

AGE: 12-15

DURATION: 3 months

VISITS: 5

LEADS Study: Life Experiences in Adolescents and the Development of Skills

Are you the parent of a child aged 12-15 years old who is sad, depressed, irritable, or withdrawn? Your child may be able to participate in a research study to help understand how children and teens learn and use a common coping skill. Participation may take place mostly online. Compensation is provided.

Depression

Other Mental Health and Behavior

AGE: 12-15

DURATION: 6 months (in-person visits occur in first month)

VISITS: 2 in-person visits & 4 remote visits

LOCATION: Bellefield Towers - Oakland, Online or by Phone

From Manic Symptoms to Bipolar Disorder – Healthy Teens

Are you the parent of a 13-17 year old? Your child may be able to participate in a research study to help learn more about the structure and function of the brain in young people. This study involves completing clinical assessments and questionnaires, undergoing fMRI scanning, and wearing an activity watch for 21 days. Compensation is provided.

LOCATION: Loeffler Building, UPMC Presbyterian Hospital Magnetic Resonance Imaging Research Center (MRRC) – Oakland & at home

AGE: 13-17

DURATION: 3 weeks

Speech and Language Development in Children Who Stutter

Are you the parent of a child aged 5-12 who currently stutters? Your child may be able to participate in a research study to learn more about how speech and language skills develop and mature in the brain. This study will involve 2-3 sessions, each lasting about 1.5 -2 hours. Eligible participants are native English speakers. Compensation is provided.

Other Brain and Nervous System

Other Child Development

Speech and Language Disorders

AGE: 5-12

DURATION: 1.5-2 hours each visit

VISITS: 2-3

LOCATION: Forbes Tower - Oakland & Online

NO IN-PERSON VISITS

KEYSTUDY – Children Ages 12-17

Does your child ages 12-17 have a parent with bipolar disorder? You and your child may be able to participate in a research study focused on early intervention for children who are at risk of developing mental health disorders due to their family history. This study involves assessments, interviews, and online sessions with a study therapist. Compensation provided.

Bipolar Disorder

LOCATION: Videoconference or Bellefield Towers

And 1 more area

AGE: 12-17

DURATION: 18 months

Teen Brain Online

Are you the parent of a 13-17 year old girl? Does your daughter use Instagram at least once a week? Your daughter may be able to participate in a research study to help better understand how the teen brain responds to peer feedback on social media. This study involves one in-person visit lasting about two hours. Compensation provided.

SEX ASSIGNED AT BIRTH: Female

Social Interactions

AGE: 13-17

DURATION: About 2 hours

VISITS: 1

LOCATION: UPMC Presbyterian Hospital & UPMC Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic - Oakland

NO IN-PERSON VISITS

Homewood Healthy Smiles Program

Are you the parent of a child who is 12-17 years old, and do you live in Pittsburgh’s Homewood community? Your child may be able to participate in two 1-hour virtual sessions as part of a research study examining oral health knowledge in children and teens. Topics will include soda and diet, oral hygiene, smoking, vaping, and more. All participants will receive a toothbrush kit.

Dental Health

AGE: 12-17

VISITS: 2

LOCATION: Online

COMPENSATION: NONE

Circadian Rhythms, Reward, & Sleep, (CARRS) Research Study

Are you the parent of a teen aged 13-15? Your child may be able to participate in a research study to help understand how sleep timing and duration affects teens’ thinking, mood, and behavior. This study involves one to two overnight visits in the SBNC sleep lab including an fMRI scan at the MRRC in UPMC Presbyterian Hospital. Compensation is provided.

Other Mental Health and Behavior

And 2 more areas

AGE: 13-15

DURATION: 1-3 days

VISITS: 1-2

LOCATION: Thomas Detre Hall

NO IN-PERSON VISITS

Healthy Teeth, Healthy Me

Are you the parent of a child under 3 years old and do you live in the Homewood neighborhood of Pittsburgh? You may be able to participate in a research study to find out if an online telehealth visit about your child’s oral health is helpful. Participation involves a one-on-one online visit, a free tooth brushing demonstration, and a drop-off of dental health supplies.

Dental Health

LOCATION: Video Call

COMPENSATION: NONE

Number Knowledge Study – Children Ages 9-10

Are you the parent of a relatively healthy 4th grader who is 9-10 years old? Is your child right-handed? If so, your child may be able to participate in a research study to help us learn more about how we process and understand numbers. Study involves 1-2 sessions, and some participants will be asked to undergo fMRI scanning.

DURATION: Up to 3 visits

AGE: 9 - 10

LOCATION: Learning Research and Development Center at the University of Pittsburgh & Brain Imaging Data Generation & Education (BRIDGE) Center at Carnegie Mello