A Study About Aromatic L-Amino Acid Decarboxylase Deficiency (AADC) in Pediatric Patients

Official Title
A Single-Stage, Adaptive, Open-Label Dose Escalation Safety Study of Adeno-Associated Virus Encoding Human Aromatic L-Amino Acid Decarboxylase (AAV2-hAADC) Administered by MR- guided Infusion into the Midbrain in Pediatric Patients with AADC Deficiency
Purpose

The overall objective of this study is to determine the safety and efficacy of AAV2-hAADC delivered to the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) and ventral tegmental area (VTA) in children with aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC) deficiency, and to see if there is a demonstration of effective restoration of AADC function by assays of CSF neurotransmitter metabolites and F-DOPA PET imaging, as allowed by subject’s ability to travel to undergo follow-up visits.

Could this study be right for you?

Inclusion Criteria

  • Diagnosis of AADC deficiency from genetic test and CSF/blood enzyme test
  • Failed to derive adequate benefit from standard medical therapy as judged by presence of residual oculugyric crises and developmental delay.
  • Documented history of motor developmental delay, with inability to walk independently without support by age 18 months.
  • Both parents (or legal guardians) must give their consent for their child’s participation in the study parents unless (i.) one parent is deceased, unknown or incompetent; (ii.) one parent is not reasonably available; or (iii.) one parent has responsibility for the care and custody of the child.

Inclusion Criteria varies, please contact Study Coordinator for more information.

Exclusion Criteria

  • Presence of other significant medical or neurological conditions that would create an unacceptable operative or anesthetic risk.
  • Previous stereotactic neurosurgery.
  • Coagulopathy, or need for ongoing anticoagulant therapy.
  • Receipt of any investigational agent within 60 days prior to Baseline and during study participation.

Exclusion Criteria varies, please contact Study Coordinator for more information. 

Age Range
2 years and up

Interview Study for Caregivers of Older Adults with Memory Problems

Official Title
CareNet: An Interactive Digital Tool to Assess Informal Caregiving Networks of Older Adults with Dementia
Purpose

We are interested in understanding the dynamics of caregiving when multiple caregivers are involved in caring for an older adult with memory problems. We would like to interview the primary caregiver in a brief one-time interview about their thoughts and experiences in providing care for an older adult with memory problems. 

Could this study be right for you?

Participants must be:

  • An unpaid caregiver of an older adult with memory loss problems
    • The older adult must be 65 years or older
    • The older adult must not live in a residential care/assisted living facility
  • Able to identify at least one other unpaid caregiver for the older adult with memory loss problems
  • Able to communicate in English
Age Range
18 years and up

Spinal Cord Stimulation and Small Fiber Peripheral Neuropathy

Official Title
Spinal Cord Stimulation and Small Fiber Peripheral Neuropathy
Purpose

The purpose of this study is to determine whether spinal cord stimulation (SCS) will reduce pain in patients with painful Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy (DPN).

Could this study be right for you?

 

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Over 18 years old
  • Diagnosis of diabetic peripheral neuropathy refractory to treatment with gabapentin or pregabalin and at least 1 other class of analgesic
  • Diagnosis of medically refractory pain secondary to diabetic neuropathy
  • Presence of pain for 12 months

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Severe medical comorbidities that, in the opinion of the surgeon, exclude the patient from surgical intervention
  • Spinal disease with severe spinal stenosis or spinal cord compression in the region of the proposed spinal cord stimulator lead placement
  • Coagulopathy that cannot be corrected
  • Unable to discontinue blood thinning medications

Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria varies, please contact Study Coordinator. 

Age Range
18 years and up

A Study for those with Treatment Resistant Epilepsy & Anxiety

Official Title
An open-label clinical trial evaluating the ExAblate Model 4000 Type-1 focused ultrasound unilateral thalamotomy for patients with treatment-refractory focal onset epilepsy and comorbid anxiety
Purpose

The purpose of the study is to learn more about whether an ultrasound treatment for epilepsy and anxiety is safe and effective.

Could this study be right for you?
  • Age: 18-65 years old
  • Treatment resistant Epilepsy (focal or partial-onset seizures)
  • ≥ 3 seizures/month
  • Moderate-to-severe Anxiety

 

 

Age Range
18 - 65 years

A Study Investigating a Medicine to Improve Social Communication in Adolescents and Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

Official Title
MapLight Study (IRIS Clinical Trial)
Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate a medication intended to improve social communication in adolescents and adults with ASD.

Could this study be right for you?
  • Have an autism diagnosis or suspect you have an autism diagnosis
  • Have a caregiver or study partner willing to enroll in the study with you
Age Range
18 - 45 years

Neurodevelopmental Effects of Youth Tackle Football

Official Title
Understanding the Neurodevelopmental Effects of Youth Tackle Football Participation
Purpose

In this study we are aiming to identify risk factors for higher exposure to football-related neurotrauma in youth tackle football players and to determine the effects of football-related neurotrauma exposure on neurodevelopment in children with no previous tackle football participation.

For this specific posting, we are looking for boys ages 8-12 who are non-athletes or athletes who play non-contact sports to serve as control subjects for our fMRI study. 

Could this study be right for you?

We are looking for boys ages 8-12 who are either non-athletes or do not participate in any contact sports

  • Boys must have no metal implanted in the body
  • Have no prior history of head trauma
  • Have no serious health or mental health diagnoses
  • Must not have a fear of enclosed spaces
Age Range
8 - 12 years

Exploring the Development of the Infant and Fetal Brain

Official Title
Exploring the Connectivity and Functional Organization of the Infant Brain
Purpose

The purpose of the study is to investigate how the brain that we are each born with leads to our own unique behavior later in life, and the similarities and differences between maternal and child brains. We are studying infants prenatally and postnatally, following up with them as they grow and develop, and studying their mothers to understand how similar/different they are to their child.

Could this study be right for you?
  • Infants under 3 years of age, and pregnant persons who are at least 20 weeks pregnant
  • All participants must have no metal implanted in the body
  • Have no significant health conditions or history of serious mental illness
  • Not suffer froma (fear of enclosed spaces)
  • Pregnancies must be without complication.
Age Range
Up to 40 years

Research Study on Light Sensitivity after Head Injury

Official Title
Effect of Fixation Training with Colored Light Targets on Traumatic Brain Injury-Associated Photophobia
Purpose

Researchers at The Ohio State University College of Optometry are seeking individuals with a recent history of head trauma who are experiencing light sensitivity. The goal of this study is to determine if daily 20 minute fixation training sessions using a colored (red or blue) light target affects symptoms of light sensitivity, or alters other measurements of the eyes and vision including pupil response.  

This study will involve attending five 1-2 hour study visits, occurring every 1.5 months for 6 months. Study visits will include answering questions about eye and health history, completing surveys, reading letters on an eye chart, having the pupils measured in response to flashes of light, measuring the side vision, measuring eye alignment and in some cases focusing ability. Outside of the study visits, participants will also complete daily 20 minute fixation training sessions for 6 months using a colored (red or blue) light target, completed at home between study visits.

Could this study be right for you?
  • Must be 18 to 80 years old
  • Experienced a head injury 3 or more months ago
  • Current symptoms of light sensitivity
  • Be healthy and have good eye health 
Age Range
18 - 80 years

Impact of A Low Glycemic Index Diet on Blood Pressure and Blood Sugar in Individuals with Spinal Cord Injury

Official Title
Two Birds with One Stone: Impact of A Low Glycemic Index Diet on Postprandial Hypotension and Glucose Metabolism in Individuals with Spinal Cord Injury (FIP)
Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of a short-term low glycemic index diet on blood pressure and blood sugar control after eating.

Could this study be right for you?
  • Adults aged 18-65 years old
  • Chronic spinal cord injury
  • Level of injury between C4 and L2
Age Range
18 - 65 years

Assessing Non-invasive Spinal Stimulation to Evaluate its Safety and Effectiveness in Individuals with Spinal Cord Injury

Official Title
ExaStim Upper Limb Pivotal Clinical Validation Study
Purpose

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of ExaStim® transcutaneous spinal stimulation on upper extremity function when applied in combination with physical therapy (PT) and/or occupational therapy (OT).

Participants will be randomized to the stimulation group or a control group. Outcomes will include sensory, motor, and functional tests, as well as questionnaires.

Could this study be right for you?
  • Aged 22 years or older
  • Traumatic chronic spinal cord injury
  • Level of injury between C2-T2
  • No active implanted medical device for electrical stimulation
  • No Botox for 3 months
  • Have a chronic, traumatic SCI (chronic is >12 months since injury, or 6 months if unchanged symptoms)
  • Has some, but limited upper extremity function
  • BMI <40
  • Cannot be pregnant

 

Age Range
22 years and up