Official Title Sex Differences in Alcohol Use: Neural and Hormonal Influences

Purpose

The goal of the study is to gain a better understanding of how hormonal fluctuation across the female menstrual cycle impact brain activity and associated drinking behaviors.

Participation includes:
•    One orientation session (2 hours)
•    Three brain imaging (fMRI)/alcohol and saline administration sessions (7 hours each)
•    Six follow-up online surveys (30 mins each)
•    Two follow-up sessions (1 hour each)

The total time commitment of the study is 28 hours over the course of 21 months.

Could this study be right for you?

1. Age: 21–26 years old (must bring proof of age to Orientation, e.g., driver’s license or passport)
2. In good health, as confirmed by responses to the Screening Interview
3. No contraindications for fMRI (e.g., no metal in the body, as confirmed by MRI screening form)
4. Reports typical weekly alcohol consumption 
5. No current or past treatment for a drug or alcohol use disorder
6. Not currently pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to become in the next 3 months (women only)
7. Regular menstrual cycles (women only)
8. No use  of hormonal contraception or plans to begin use within the next 3 months (women only)

Age Range

21 - 26 years

Official Title Pain Sensitivity and Endogenous Pain Modulation in Autistic Adults (R21)

Purpose

The purpose of this project is to study how pain may differ in adults with or without autism. Our goal is to study whether or not pain is experienced of felt differently in autistic adults compared to non-autistic adults.

Participants will be screened by phone. After meeting the initial screening criteria, the study visit will be scheduled. Participants can expect one study visit lasting 2-3 hours with time built in for breaks.

Could this study be right for you?

• Not currently on any daily pain medications

Age Range

30 - 70 years

Official Title Examining the efficacy of a soft soy pretzel intervention in altering chronic inflammation and immune profiles in obese individuals

Purpose

The objective of this study is to evaluate if soy isoflavones, delivered via soft soy pretzels (SSP), can be an effective, feasible intervention for chronic inflammation.

 

All study visits will be at The Ohio State University Medical Center and the study will last 8 weeks and involve 7 clinic visits.

Could this study be right for you?

You may be eligible if you:

• Are a male between 18 and 49 years old
• Have a body mass index (BMI) less than 25 or greater than or equal to 30
• Are not allergic to soy or soy-containing products
• Are not actively trying to lose weight

Exclusion criteria: 

• Current or prior history of Type 2 diabetes mellitus as defined by ICD-10-CM E11
• Current or prior history of cancer (excluding non-melanoma skin cancers)
• History of blood clotting disorders or adverse events relating to blood draws
• Use of antibiotic regime lasting longer than one week within the last six months
• Strict veganism (no consumption of animal, fish, or egg products)
• Heavy alcohol consumption (defined as consumption of >14 drinks/week on average)
• Current or prior history of any condition that causes altered immunity such as chronic inflammatory disease, autoimmune disorders, cancer, anemia, and blood dyscrasias
• Regular usage of inflammation lowering medications which include but not limited to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen, or anti-pyretic medications such as acetaminophen

 

Age Range

18 - 49 years

Official Title Linking Age, Balance, Vestibular Function, and Falls

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to learn how aging in different sensory systems, including the vestibular system (that portion of the inner ear that measures both motion and orientation of the head), influences maintaining balance while standing and walking, and contributes to fall risk. 

Could this study be right for you?

• Must be able to stand
• No leg or foot amputations
• No lower limb braces
• Not currently feeling dizzy/lightheaded
• Not currently pregnant by self-report
  • Due to potentially nauseogenic nature of some motions and to protect fetus and mother, pregnant women will also be excluded from this study
• Weight <= 275 pounds
• No past or current history of:
  • Severe head trauma or traumatic brain injury
  • Any vestibular disorder (e.g., Meniere’s Disease, Vestibular Migraine, Unresolved BPPV/BPPN, Vestibular hypofunction, except that due to aging, PPPD) as assessed using clinical diagnostic tests described in proposal
  • History of seizures
  • Neurologic illness or conditions known to impact vestibular or balance function(e.g., stroke, neurodegenerative disorders, demyelinating illness)
  • Major psychiatric (e.g., panic disorder, psychosis, etc.) disorder
  • Any of the following eye diseases or conditions: amblyopia (or “lazy eye”) or history of amblyopia, diagnosis of age-related macular degeneration, retina dystrophy, glaucoma, cataracts, or any other eye condition that limits vision to worse than 20/40
  • Recent (<6 months) orthopedic injuries of the lower extremities (e.g., plantar fasciitis, ankle, knee or hip injury, back strain/herniated disc, …).
  • Upper extremity injuries requiring current sling immobilization
  • Recent surgery
  • Any other severe health problem (heart disease, pulmonary disease, cancer, etc.).
  • Vision in both eyes must be better than 20/40 with best correction
  • Outer and/or middle ear pathologies
  • Otologic pathologies or diagnoses (e.g. Meniere’s disease, otosclerosis, conductive or mixed hearing losses)
• Must be able to walk unassisted for 30 minutes
• No current use of ambulatory assistive devices
• Normal hearing bilaterally, air conduction pure-tone thresholds ≤ 25 dB HL at all octave frequencies between 250 and 8000 Hz
• Bilaterally, symmetric sensorineural hearing loss with four-frequency pure-tone average (500, 1000, 2000, 4000) less than 71 dB HL
• If interested, please go to go.osu.edu/vestibular to be screened for eligibility

Age Range

18 - 89 years

Official Title Contribution of Glutamate Excess and Inflammation to Progressive White Matter Changes in Psychosis

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to assess the extent of white matter abnormalities, glutamate alterations, and inflammation in unmedicated patients with psychosis at different illness stages compared to healthy controls.

Could this study be right for you?

• No major medical conditions
• No history of significant head trauma 
• Not currently using medications for mental health purposes (anxiety, depression, other psychiatric diagnosis)
• No metal implants that would present a risk to complete an MRI
• No known pregnancy (if applicable)

Age Range

16 - 45 years

Official Title Perceptions of Vaping Products Among Young Adults

Purpose

This study will examine how young adults perceive new vaping products.

Participation involves taking part in a study at The Center for Tobacco Research. You will be asked to attend 3 study visits over the course of 3 weeks (1 visit/week for 3 weeks). You will be asked to bring your own preferred e-cigarette device to each study visit.

 

Could this study be right for you?

• Must be a current e-cigarette user
• Must be willing to attend 3 in-person study visits

Age Range

21 - 34 years

Official Title The ICE Study: Perceptions of E-Cigarettes and Synthetic Cooling Agents

Purpose

This study will examine the influence of synthetic cooling agents in e-cigarettes on vaping behavior and aims to find out how adding artificial cooling ingredients affects how people use a product and their exposure to harmful chemicals.

Your participation in this study will last for 4 sessions, 1 session per week for 4 weeks.

 

 

Could this study be right for you?

• Must be a current e-cigarette user
• Must be willing to attend four in-person study sessions

Age Range

21 - 29 years

Official Title Radiotracer Imaging of Lower Extremity Skeletal Muscle Perfusion in Patients with Peripheral Arterial Disease

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to look at a new method to evaluate blood flow to the calves and feet. 

Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) patient outcomes will be evaluated for up to 12 months after their revascularization procedure to assess how early changes in SPECT-derived foot perfusion relate to rates of diabetic wound healing and limb salvage. Outcomes will be specifically evaluated at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after revascularization at the time of their follow-up clinic visits to the OSU Comprehensive Wound Center at OSU Hospital East. Primary outcomes of interest will be 1) changes in wound size and healing, 2) minor or major amputations of the lower extremity, and 3) any subsequent interventional procedures, such as balloon angioplasty, stenting, or surgical bypass.

 

Could this study be right for you?

Heathly Volunteers with out previous cardiovascular disease

Or 

PAD

Age Range

18 years and up

Official Title Variation in Thoracic and Abdominal Shapes and their Influence on Posture and Seat Belt Fit for Adolescent Females

Purpose

We aim to understand how torso shape and bra design influence good vs. poor seat belt fit, posture, and comfort in cars.

Could this study be right for you?

To participate, you must be female, between 10–21 years old, in good health, a current bra-wearer, and willing to attend one 3-hour appointment at the OSU campus in Graves Hall (333 W. 10th Ave, Columbus, OH, 43210).

Age Range

10 - 21 years

Official Title Evaluation of Wear Experience with PRECISION7® For Astigmatism Contact Lenses in Neophyte Lens Wearers

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explore the wear experience with PRECISION7® For Astigmatism lenses in adults who have not previously worn contact lenses.

Could this study be right for you?

1. Adults who have never worn contact lenses.
2. Adults who have astigmatism
3. Ability to attend 3 visits over the course of 3 weeks.
4. Satisfy all other study eligibility and exclusion criteria.

Age Range

18 - 40 years