About Featured Pediatric Research

Please see newly added pediatric research studies and other select study opportunities for children below.

CURRENT STUDIES THAT MAY INTEREST YOU



Shaping Actions and Responses to Emotions (ShARE) Study

Are you the parent of a child aged 12-15 years old who is feeling depressed? Your child may be able to participate in a research study to help compare two different approaches to therapy. This study involves an initial assessment, four weekly sessions to learn a therapy skill for teens, and online questionnaires. Some sessions may be completed online or by phone. Compensation is provided.

Depression
Featured Pediatric Research
Other Adolescent/Teen Health
Age Range
AGE: 12-15
Duration
DURATION: 3 months
VISITS: 5
Location
LOCATION: Bellefield Towers – Oakland and/or Online or By Phone
Compensation
COMPENSATION: YES

Meningitis Vaccine Booster Study – Healthy Teens Ages 15-17

Are you the parent of a healthy teen aged 15-17? Did your child receive a meningitis vaccine in the past 4-6 years? Your child may be able to participate in a research study to find out if an investigational meningitis booster vaccine is safe and effective for protecting against different types of meningococcus germs. Compensation is provided.

Featured Pediatric Research
Healthy Child
Other Adolescent/Teen Health
Vaccines
Age Range
AGE: 15-17
Duration
DURATION: 12 months
VISITS: 4 clinic visits & 5 telephone calls
Location
LOCATION: Children’s Hospital Office Building - Oakland
Compensation
COMPENSATION: YES

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Are you the parent of a child aged 12-15 years old who is sad, depressed, irritable, or withdrawn?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
Featured Pediatric Research
Other Adolescent/Teen Health
Other Mental Health and Behavior
Age Range
AGE: 12-15
Duration
DURATION: 6 months (in-person visits occur in first month)
VISITS: 2 in-person visits & 4 remote visits
Location
LOCATION: Bellefield Towers - Oakland, Online or by Phone
Compensation
COMPENSATION: YES

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.

Featured Pediatric Research
Healthy Child
Other Adolescent/Teen Health
Age Range
AGE: 13-17
Duration
DURATION: 3 weeks
Location
LOCATION: Loeffler Building, UPMC Presbyterian Hospital Magnetic Resonance Imaging Research Center (MRRC) – Oakland & at home
Compensation
COMPENSATION: YES

Speech and Language Development in Children

Are you the parent of a child aged 5-12? 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.

Featured Pediatric Research
Healthy Child
Age Range
AGE: 5-12
Duration
DURATION: 1.5-2 hours each visit
VISITS: 2-3
Location
LOCATION: Forbes Tower - Oakland & Online
Compensation
COMPENSATION: YES

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.

Featured Pediatric Research
Other Brain and Nervous System
Other Child Development
Speech and Language Disorders
Age Range
AGE: 5-12
Duration
DURATION: 1.5-2 hours each visit
VISITS: 2-3
Location
LOCATION: Forbes Tower - Oakland & Online
Compensation
COMPENSATION: YES
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
Featured Pediatric Research
Healthy Child
Other Adolescent/Teen Health
And 1 more area
Age Range
AGE: 12-17
Duration
DURATION: 18 months
Location
LOCATION: Videoconference or Bellefield Towers
Compensation
COMPENSATION: YES
NO IN-PERSON VISITS

Project WORD – Children with Dyslexia and/or Language Disorders

Are you the parent of a child who is currently enrolled in 2nd grade? Does your child have a diagnosis of dyslexia and/or another speech or language disorder? Your child may be able to participate in a research study to find out how children learn new words. This study involves 8 visits over 8 weeks that are done online via Zoom. Compensation is provided.

Cognitive Skills
Featured Pediatric Research
Other Child Development
Remote Research
And 1 more area
Age Range
AGE: 7-8
Duration
DURATION: 8 weeks
VISITS: A minimum of 8, a maximum of 10 (45-60 min)
Location
LOCATION: Online via Zoom
Compensation
COMPENSATION: YES

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.

Featured Pediatric Research
Healthy Child
Social Interactions
Age Range
AGE: 13-17
Gender List
SEX ASSIGNED AT BIRTH: Female
Duration
DURATION: About 2 hours
VISITS: 1
Location
LOCATION: UPMC Presbyterian Hospital & UPMC Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic - Oakland
Compensation
COMPENSATION: YES
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
Featured Pediatric Research
Healthy Child
Other Adolescent/Teen Health
Age Range
AGE: 12-17
Duration
VISITS: 2
Location
LOCATION: Online
Compensation
COMPENSATION: NONE
NO IN-PERSON VISITS

Addressing Autism in African American Families Research Study – Children Ages 7-11

Are you the parent of an African American/Black child aged 7-11 who has autism or a related disorder? You and your child may be able to participate in a research study to help autistic Black children increase their coping and problem solving skills in social, academic, and everyday situations. This study includes weekly 40-minute sessions conducted via Zoom. Compensation is provided.

Autism Spectrum Disorders
Cognitive Skills
Featured Pediatric Research
Other Brain and Nervous System
And 2 more areas
Age Range
AGE: 7-11
Duration
DURATION: 8 weeks
VISITS: 8 online sessions
Location
LOCATION: Online
Compensation
COMPENSATION: YES

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.

Featured Pediatric Research
Healthy Child
Other Adolescent/Teen Health
Other Mental Health and Behavior
And 2 more areas
Age Range
AGE: 13-15
Duration
DURATION: 1-3 days
VISITS: 1-2
Location
LOCATION: Thomas Detre Hall
Compensation
COMPENSATION: YES
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
Featured Pediatric Research
Healthy Child
Age Range
AGE: 0-3
Duration
DURATION: 1 hour
VISITS: 1
Location
LOCATION: Video Call
Compensation
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.

Featured Pediatric Research
Healthy Child
Age Range
AGE: 9 - 10
Duration
DURATION: Up to 3 visits
Location
LOCATION: Learning Research and Development Center at the University of Pittsburgh & Brain Imaging Data Generation & Education (BRIDGE) Center at Carnegie Mello
Compensation
COMPENSATION: YES