Clinical research opportunities

December 10, 2019

Dec. 30, 2019

Blood pressure treatment study seeking participants

The Hypertension Section in the Division of Cardiology at UTSW is conducting research to determine if lowering blood pressure with medication can reduce brain damage. Participants will receive health examinations and blood tests at no charge. Blood pressure medications are provided at no cost to research participants. We are looking for participants with normal or high blood pressure, between the ages of 55-79, who have no history of stroke, dementia, heart or kidney disease, sleep apnea, autoimmune diseases, or carotid stents and stenosis. Time required for participation in this study is six weeks (normal blood pressure) to one year (high blood pressure). Research participants will be compensated. If you are interested in this study, please contact Danielle Pittman B.S.N., RN, CEN at 214-648-5940 for further information.

Dec. 16, 2019

Healthy volunteers needed for hydrocortisone study

Are you between the ages of 18 and 50? Are you physically and psychologically healthy? We are looking for healthy volunteers for a research study to help us investigate if an FDA-approved drug hydrocortisone has an effect on the brain and memory. For more information, please david.martinez@utsouthwestern.edu David Martinez or call 214-645-6965.

Dec. 9, 2019

New Alzheimer's observational study needs volunteers

The ADNI (Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative) Study is urgently looking for participants. The study uses state-of-the-art imaging to monitor brain levels of two proteins – tau and amyloid – both of which are significant indicators of Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers also track cognitive function through computer tests at home, and occasional exams and tests in a doctor’s office. No medication is involved. Eligible participants:

Are between the ages of 55-90
Have a diagnosis of early Alzheimer’s disease or mild cognitive impairment

To learn more or to get started, visit the APR ADNI3 page, or contact Amy Browning via amy.browning@utsouthwestern.edu or call 214-645-1972.

Dec. 9, 2019

Participants sought for bipolar disorder study

The Department of Psychiatry is recruiting individuals who have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, or are having problems with alcohol, mood swings, difficulty sleeping and racing thoughts, for a research study regarding bipolar disorder that could help improve mood and reduce alcohol use. The following may be provided at no cost to each participant: evaluation, doctor visits, financial compensation, and transportation assistance (bus passes). To learn more about the study, call 214-645-5946, jonathan.stewart@utsouthwestern.edu Jonathan Stewart, or visit the study website.

Dec. 9, 2019

Are you experiencing symptoms of menopause?

Feeling depressed or down? If you are a peri- or postmenopausal woman age 40-67 and:

Have experienced changes in her menstrual cycle in the past five years
Are experiencing significant menopause-related symptoms such as hot flashes
Are feeling down or depressed

You may be eligible for a research study at UT Southwestern evaluating a medication treatment for menopausal depression and other symptoms of menopause. Benefits include:

Study medication and monitoring of your menopausal symptoms at no cost
Compensation up to $520 for completing the 16-week study

Contact the Psychoneuroendocrine research group at 214-645-6953 or via Stephanie.Reyes@utsouthwestern.edu.

Dec. 2, 2019

Seeking participants for blood pressure treatment study

The Hypertension Section in the Division of Cardiology at UTSW is conducting research to compare the effects of two different types of potassium supplements on patients taking chlorthalidone for treatment of high blood pressure. Participants will receive health examination and blood tests at no charge. Study medication is also provided at no cost to the participating subjects. Study will take 4-5 months and there will be compensation for each subject who participates in the study. Researchers are are looking for patients who have treated or untreated blood pressure less than 160/100; and have no other chronic medical problems such as diabetes, kidney disease, heart or liver disease, moderate or severe acid reflux disease, or chronic diarrhea. If you are taking blood pressure medications, you will stop them and be put on chlorthalidone. You will have scheduled follow-up visits during the study. If you are interested in this study, call 214-648-5940.

Nov. 5, 2019

Help NASA preserve astronaut vision

UT Southwestern and the Institute for Exercise and Environmental Medicine are looking for healthy volunteers aged 18-55 to participate in a NASA-funded bed rest study designed to test a countermeasure for spaceflight-associated neuro-ocular syndrome (SANS). The study will consist of three full days and nights of bed rest on two occasions, separated by at least two weeks. You will be able to watch TV, and use your laptop and cell phone as long as you remain in bed for the duration of the study. Volunteers will be compensated for their time.

Please contact Dr. Katrin Dias via KatrinDias@texashealth.org or 214-345-6504 if you want to learn more about this opportunity.

Nov. 5, 2019

Do you or someone you know want to lose weight?

UT Southwestern researchers are seeking individuals who are interested in participating in a clinical trial of an FDA-approved medication for weight loss. Eligible participants must be 35 years old or older; overweight or obese; and motivated to lose weight. Eligible participants will receive study related medical care, laboratory and imaging testing, dietary and physical activity counseling, and investigational medication or placebo at no cost. For more information, Bienka.Milton@utsouthwestern.edu Bienka Lewis (Clinical Research Coordinator).

Oct. 7, 2019

Research volunteers needed to advance the frontiers of neuroscience

The Division of Translational Neuroscience Research is currently seeking research volunteers between the ages of 18-60 for a study seeking to understand the brain mechanisms of certain psychiatric and neurological disorders. Participants will be compensated for their time. For additional information, call 214-648-5283 or brains@utsouthwestern.edu.

Oct. 7, 2019

Hypertension study seeking healthy volunteers

The Hypertension Section of the Cardiology Division at UT Southwestern Medical Center is conducting research to study effects of phosphate content in the diet and the nerve activity that controls blood pressure in healthy subjects ages 18-80 with blood pressure between 120-129/80-84 mmHg. Participants will receive health examinations and blood tests at no charge. The Division is looking for healthy participants with no other medical problems – such as diabetes mellitus, liver disease, or heart problems – who are not currently on treatment for high blood pressure. The time required for participation in this study is 10-12 weeks. Research participants will be compensated for their time. If you are interested in this study, call 214-648-3188 for further information.

Sept. 30, 2019

Seeking individuals who have a rotator cuff tear

The Department of Orthopaedic Surgery is recruiting individuals who have a rotator cuff tear. The study is being done to determine the best way to treat rotator cuff tears in people ages 50-84. To learn more about the study, call 214-645-0421, chastity.escalante@utsouthwestern.edu Chastity Escalante, or visit the study website.

Sept. 24, 2019

Are you feeling depressed or down?

If you are a woman age 18-65 and:

Are feeling down or depressed
Have lost interest or pleasure in doing things
Are not currently taking antidepressants

You may be eligible for a research study at UT Southwestern evaluating the effect of a natural supplement for depression. Benefits may include:

Study medication and monitoring of your depression symptoms at no cost
Compensation and transportation assistance

Contact the Psychoneuroendocrine research group at 214-645-6967 or via pne@utsouthwestern.edu.

Aug. 6, 2019

Do you or someone you know get kidney stones?

Researchers at UT Southwestern are conducting a research study to help kidney stone formers to increase and maintain high fluid intake to prevent new kidney stones. Eligible participants must be over 12 years old, have passed or had a kidney stone removed in the past three years, and be willing to use a "smart water bottle" provided by the study. Interested? Joyce.Obiaro@UTSouthwestern.edu Joyce Obiaro or call 214-645-8787.

Aug. 6, 2019

Research volunteers needed to advance the frontiers of neuroscience

Aug. 20, 2019

Women needed for research study on ovarian cancer

The Division of Gynecologic Oncology is conducting a research study to determine whether a blood test may be helpful in the early detection of ovarian cancer in post-menopausal women. Participants should be over the age of 50, have a least one of their ovaries, and be cancer-free for a least one year. This is a free screening for participants and they will receive the results from the blood test. For more information, contact Isabel Villalobos at 214-648-7010.

June 18, 2019

Mood disorders and alcohol study seeking participants

Are you wanting to cut back or stop drinking alcohol? Have you ever been diagnosed with a mood disorder? You may qualify for free psychiatric evaluations, doctor visits, blood work, and medication. Participants will also be eligible for compensation, transportation assistance, and referrals for additional treatment. To learn more about this study, call 214-645-6957 or email.

June 18, 2019

Weight loss study seeking participants

Do you or someone you know want to lose weight? UT Southwestern Medical Center researchers are seeking individuals who are interested in participating in a clinical trial of an FDA-approved medication for weight loss. Eligible participants must be 35 years and older; overweight or obese; and motivated to lose weight. Eligible participants will receive study-related medical care, laboratory and imaging testing, dietary and physical activity counseling, and investigational medication or placebo at no cost. For more information, email Bienka Lewis.

June 18, 2019

Blood pressure treatment study seeking participants

June 18, 2019

Do you suffer from asthma?

If you have been diagnosed with asthma and are between 40-69 years old, you may be eligible to participate in a study on asthma and cognition. This two-session study will take place at SMU East Campus (by Mockingbird Station) and UT Southwestern Medical Center. You will be compensated for participation. For more information, email or call 214-768-1291. This study is conducted by researchers at UTSW Medical Center, University of Texas at Dallas, and Southern Methodist University.

June 4, 2019

Non-diabetic controls needed for brain MRI

UT Southwestern is seeking people who are white, non-Hispanic and non-diabetic, between ages 53-70, with some college education, to do brief cognitive testing and a brain MRI without contrast. The purpose is to understand whether changes occur in the brain as we get older. We are comparing the results to those obtained in age-matched people with diabetes who are already participating in a large epidemiologic study of complications in Type 1 diabetes. Blood for HbAlc and fasting lipids and a brief medical history and physical exam will be done at no cost. The total amount of time to do all of the assessments is about 5 hours (can be split up to meet your schedule). You will be paid $100 for completing the study.

Exclusion criteria:

History of diabetes
History of claustrophobia
Cardiac pacemakers, defibrillators, previous injury to the eye involving metal, neuro-stimulators, brain aneurysm clips, ear implant, and any other implants, devices, or metal in the body are a known contraindication for an MRI exam
End-stage renal disease or severe illness requiring medical treatment
Weight greater than 350 pounds (158.7 kg); natural waist greater than 50 inches (127 cm)
Visual acuity worse than 20/40 corrected in both eyes

Call 214-648-3497 or email Suzanne Strowig.

May 21, 2019

Participants sought for bipolar disorder study

The Department of Psychiatry is recruiting individuals who have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, or are having problems with alcohol, mood swings, difficulty sleeping, and racing thoughts, for a research study regarding bipolar disorder that could help improve mood and reduce alcohol use. The following may be provided at no cost to each participant: evaluation, doctor visits, financial compensation, and transportation assistance (bus passes). To learn more about the study, call 214-645-6954, email Collette Bice, or visit the study website.

April 16, 2019

Plastic Surgery Department seeks subjects for vaginal rejuvenation study

The Plastic Surgery Department is conducting a study to evaluate the efficacy of an IntraGen radiofrequency device and a diVa hybrid fractional laser device in improving postmenopausal vulvovaginal symptoms. Eligible subjects must be healthy, postmenopausal women between the ages of 40 and 65 who are presenting with one or more of the following symptoms: vulvar itching, burning, stinging, pain, irritation, dryness, discharge, or odor. Involvement in the study will consist of a screening visit, three treatment sessions, and one or three follow-up visits, depending on the study arm. Analysis will include, but is not limited to, questionnaire feedback, vaginal wall measurements, and micro-biopsy. Participants will be compensated $25 per nonbiopsy visit and $100 per biopsy visit. To find out more information about this study or to get involved, Email the Department of Plastic Surgery Research.

April 16, 2019

Are you taking a proton pump inhibitor (PPI)?

The Charles and Jane Pak Center for Mineral Metabolism and Clinical Research is seeking volunteers who are taking a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) – such as Nexium, Prevacid, Protonix, Prilosec, esomeprazole, lansoprazole, pantoprazole, or omeprazole – to be part of a two-year study. These medications are widely used because they are effective inhibitors of gastric acid and are available over the counter and by prescription. However, with long-term use they may have been implicated in such side effects as fragility fractures (osteoporosis), magnesium deficiency, and a possible increased risk of chronic kidney disease. Researchers are looking for study participants who have been taking a PPI at least three times per week and who are willing to add a placebo or investigational supplement to be taken with breakfast and dinner every day for two years. Follow-up visits are every three months; participants will be compensated for their time. For further information, please call Susie Madison at 214.648.2965 or contact via Email.

April 16, 2019

Plastic Surgery Department seeks subjects for fine lines and wrinkles study

The Plastic Surgery Department is conducting a study to evaluate the efficacy of a microneedling device in improving fine lines and wrinkles of the face and neck. Eligible subjects must be healthy men and women between the ages of 35 and 65 with no recent aesthetic therapies to the areas or for the duration of the study. The study will consist of four treatments and two follow-up visits. Analysis will include clinical photography, questionnaires feedback, and noninvasive skin measurements and microbiopsy. Participants will be compensated $25 per nonbiopsy visit and $35 per biopsy visit. To find out more information about this study or to get involved, email the Department of Plastic Surgery Research.

April 2, 2019

Do you have low back pain?

The Department of Physical Therapy is recruiting individuals with low back pain for two separate research studies. The first study is examining the effects of dry needling on muscle activation. The second is examining the effects of transcranial magnetic stimulation on pain. Each study requires that subjects attend one treatment session and one followup testing session. An incentive payment is available for subjects completing either study. To participate or for more information, contact Dr. Jason Zafereo at 214-648-1002 or via jason.zafereo@utsouthwestern.edu.

March 25, 2019

Seeking healthy males for exercise study

The Institute for Exercise and Environmental Medicine is seeking participants for a study evaluating the effects of body size on thermoregulatory responses during exercise. The purpose of this project is to determine the optimal method for comparing core temperature responses to exercise between individuals of different body sizes. The Institute is seeking healthy males, ages 18-39, who can speak and read English; have no previous cardiac, neurological, or metabolic illness; and have normal ECG, a resting blood pressure less than 150/90, and a resting heart rate less than 100. Participation in this study will require four visits to the laboratory, with a total time commitment of approximately 12 hours. Study procedures include exercising and monitoring heart rate and rhythm, blood pressure, body temperature, and skin temperature. Qualified individuals will be compensated. For more information, please contact Dr. Matthew Cramer by calling 214-345-4852 or email.

March 12, 2019

Analgesics in the pre-hospital setting: Implications on hemorrhage tolerance

The Institute for Exercise and Environmental Medicine (a joint program between Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas and The UT Southwestern Medical Center) is currently seeking research subjects for a study examining the effects of different pain medications on blood loss. This study, which is funded by the U.S. Army Medical Research and Material Command, seeks to better understand how the ketamine (pain medication) will alter the capacity to tolerate a serious injury leading to major blood loss in humans. To be eligible, you must be the following:

Female
18-45 years old
Healthy and non-obese
Body weight greater than or equal to 143 pounds
English speaking
No current or previous cardiac, neurological and/or metabolic illness
No current or past history of substance or alcohol abuse

Participation will require three study visits lasting approximately 13 hours total. During the study visits, subjects will be given pain medication and participate in a number exams that measure bodily function and pain tolerance. Qualified individuals will be compensated. If interested, Mu.Huang@UTsouthwestern.edu Mu Huang, Ph.D., DPT.

Feb. 12, 2019

Depression study seeks participants

Subjects with depression are invited to take part in a study comparing the efficacy and safety of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and magnetic seizure therapy (MST) for treatment of depression. Qualified individuals will be 18 years or older, have a diagnosis of major depressive disorder, no neurological or cardiac illness, can speak and read English, and have no history of substance abuse within the past year. Participation requires approximately a 9-week commitment. This study includes treatment sessions, as well as neurocognitive and clinical assessments. For more information, or to see if you qualify, please call 214-648-2806.

Feb. 12, 2019

Are you a woman suffering symptoms of accidental bowel leakage?

The Division of Urogynecology in the Department of Ob/Gyn is conducting a research study to determine the effects of a new treatment for accidental bowel leakage (fecal incontinence) called percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS), a simple office procedure using an acupuncture needle placed near the ankle with mild electrical stimulation. We will study whether PTNS is preferable to sham treatment (also known as placebo) at improving symptoms of accidental bowel leakage in women. Participants will be compensated and study treatments will be at no cost. The time required for participation is one year. Initial visit can take up to one hour; treatment visits will be 30 minutes each. You will be asked to complete questionnaires about your general health and bowel symptoms. You will also be asked to complete a bowel diary on a smartphone app. There are 15 study visits in Part 1 and up to 10 study visits in Part 2. We are looking for female participants who have accidental bowel leakage; have tried other treatments that did not sufficiently help symptoms; are not

pregnant and do not plan to become pregnant while participating in the study; are willing to complete a bowel diary using a smartphone app; and are 18 years of age or older. Contact Agnes Burris at 214-645-3833 or by email.

Feb. 5, 2019

Ophthalmology seeking volunteers for research study

Do you have elevated cholesterol or triglycerides? The Department of Ophthalmology at UT Southwestern is looking for volunteers for a research study. To be eligible, you must be at least 18 years old; not be diabetic; not use contact lenses; and have at least one of the following:

Elevated triglycerides ≥ 160/dl
LDL cholesterol ≥ 120/dl
Non-HDL cholesterol ≥ 160/dl

Participation requires a single study visit of about 1-1½ hours involving a standard eye exam, collection of tears and meibum and a fasting blood lipid analysis. If you are eligible and choose to participate in this study, you will receive financial compensation. To find out if you can join the study, call Yesenia Leach at 214-645-3087 or Manali Shah at 214-645-2015, or Email.

Find the right UT Southwestern clinical trial for you or a loved one

UT Southwestern's StudyFinder helps patients and their loved ones find clinical trials or other clinical research opportunities. StudyFinder offers a searchable listing of UTSW studies with information from ClinicalTrials.gov. Users can search by disease category (such as heart and vascular or cancer), keyword, age, and gender. Every clinical trial listed has a phone number and email address to contact for questions or enrollment. Check it out so you can help patients get access to vital clinical trial information. Questions? studyfinder@utsouthwestern.edu or call 214-648-5005.