Mass General - Division of Clinical Research

Since its launch in 2004, the overarching aim of the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) has been realized in informing the design of therapeutic trials in AD. ADNI3 continues the previously funded ADNI-1, ADNI-GO, and ADNI-2 studies that have been combined public/private collaborations between academia and industry to determine the relationships between the clinical, cognitive, imaging, genetic and biochemical biomarker characteristics of the entire spectrum of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The overall goal of the study is to continue to discover, optimize, standardize, and validate clinical trial measures and biomarkers used in AD research.

Type: Observational

Start Date: Oct 2016

open study

The purpose of this study is to test the efficacy of 1-Hz repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) over the pre-supplementary motor area as a treatment for obsessive compulsive disorder. Additionally, this study aims to identify the mechanisms of action of TMS and potential biomarkers and predictors of treatment response.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: May 2015

open study

This study will compare the effect of three transcranial photobiomodulation (t-PBM) doses (high, middle, and low irradiance) to sham t-PBM on PFC CBF as assessed with fMRI (BOLD) in this multi-center, phase I, double-blinded, dose-ranging, controlled, crossover study of 30 subjects with MDD. All eligible participants will undergo four sessions of t-PBM during fMRI so that they experience irradiances of 50, 300 and 700 mW/cm2 as well as sham. The order of dose administration will be randomized and t-PBM will be administered with the LightForce® EXPi Deep Tissue Laser TherapyTM System, Transcranial PhotoBioModulation-1000 (tPBM-2.0).

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Aug 2020

open study

This is a multi-site, randomized, open-label, effectiveness trial comparing three treatment arms for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) patients with TRD who are currently on ongoing, stable and adequate antidepressant therapy (ADT). Adequate ADT is defined as a therapeutically sufficient dose for a sufficient treatment period, which would be expected to be effective as listed in the MGH Antidepressant Treatment Response Questionnaire (ATRQ). Patients will be randomized in a 1:1:1 fashion to one of three open-label treatment arms: a) aripiprazole augmentation, b) rTMS augmentation, and c) switching to venlafaxine XR or Duloxetine.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: May 2017

open study

This study will be the first to evaluate the dose-dependent effects of t-PBM in amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment (aMCI) (CDR of 0.5-1, FAST 1-3; age 65-85) in a randomized clinical trial of 8 weeks of t-PBM vs. sham. At screening, all subjects will complete initial neuropsychological testing. To elucidate mechanisms of action of t-PBM, prior to treatment, subjects will undergo neuroimaging related to critical features of AD: tau 18F MK-6240 load (PET), measures of brain bioenergetics (31P-MRS), and functional connectivity (rs-fMRI). Subjects will also undergo an open label t-PBM session performed during fMRI to detect BOLD changes with t-PBM. Subjects will then be randomized to t-PBM/sham and complete treatments in two participating centers (NYU/NKI acting as a single center, and MGH), ~10 min per day, 3 days per week, for 8 weeks. t-PBM will be administered via pulsed, 808nm wavelength laser delivery to the forehead bilaterally (at standard EEG electrode positions F4, F3).

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Apr 2021

open study

This is a randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled study of the effects of transdermal estradiol versus placebo on cognitive flexibility, reward processing, and eating disorder pathology in hypoestrogenemic female adolescents and young adults (ages 14-35 years) with an eating disorder characterized by extreme dietary restriction and/or excessive exercise. Subjects will be randomized 1:1 to 12 weeks of transdermal estradiol with cyclic progesterone or placebo patches and cyclic placebo pills. Study visits include a screening visit to determine eligibility and visits at baseline, 8 weeks, and 12 weeks. Study procedures comprise behavioral, neuroimaging, and endocrine assessments.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jun 2019

open study

This study will evaluate the short term effects of respiratory-gated transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation on the regulation of cardiovagal activity, depressive symptomatology and immune function in subjects with major depression and determine the optimal stimulation frequency for this population.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Nov 2020

open study

The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the impact of treating opioid use disorder (OUD) in pregnant women with extended-release buprenorphine (BUP-XR), compared to sublingual buprenorphine (BUP-SL), on mother and infant outcomes. The primary hypothesis is that the BUP-XR group will not have greater illicit opioid use than the BUP-SL group during pregnancy (non-inferiority).

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jul 2020

open study

This study is a large, prospective, pragmatic, controlled comparison of patient-centric outcomes [quality of life (QOL), toxicity, and disease control] between parallel cohorts of men with prostate cancer treated simultaneously at proton therapy facilities and at geographically similar conventional (photon-based) radiation facilities using intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) techniques.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jul 2018

open study

In the current study, the investigators aim to understand the role of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in improving executive function across neuropsychiatric populations known to have deficits in this cognitive domain.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Sep 2014

open study

This study is a multi-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in participants 1 to less than 56 years of age who are allergic to peanut and at least two other foods (including milk, egg, wheat, cashew, hazelnut, or walnut). While each participant may be allergic to more than two other foods, the primary endpoint/outcome in this study will only be assessed in peanut and two other foods for each participant. The primary objective of the study is to compare the ability to consume foods without dose-limiting symptoms during a double-blind placebo-controlled food challenge (DBPCFC), after treatment with either omalizumab or placebo for omalizumab.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jul 2019

open study

The objective of the RADIANCE II Pivotal study is to demonstrate the effectiveness and safety of the Paradise System in subjects with Stage 2 hypertension on 0-2 medications at the time of consent. Prior to randomization, subjects will be hypertensive in the absence of hypertension medication.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Dec 2018

open study

Globally, over 1 million babies are born to mothers with HIV each year. With the advent of prenatal antiretroviral therapy, up to 98% of these individuals may be HIV-exposed uninfected (HEU). A growing literature suggests that in utero HIV exposure - even in the absence of subsequent infection - may be associated with adverse health outcomes in infancy and childhood. However, there is little information about the long-term health implications of in utero HIV exposure later in life, such as into adulthood. In this study, for the first time, we seek to prospectively evaluate metabolic and immune indices among HEU young adults as compared to well-matched HIV-unexposed uninfected controls. This study serves as a necessary first step toward optimizing clinical care for this expanding and aging HEU population, including the implementation of novel screening and prevention strategies.

Type: Observational

Start Date: Oct 2019

open study

This trial aims at understanding the mechanisms of optimized transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) (16 tDCS sessions combined with exercise)] on pain control. Optimized tDCS can lead to stronger engagement of the endogenous pain regulatory system that will ultimately lead to increased pain relief in patients with fibromyalgia (FM). Therefore, the investigators designed a 2x2 factorial mechanistic trial [tDCS (active and sham) and aerobic exercise (AE) (active and control)] to evaluate the effects of 4 weeks of tDCS coupled with exercise on the endogenous pain regulatory system assessed by conditioned pain modulation (CPM) and central sensitization as assessed by temporal slow pain summation (TSPS), and compared to either intervention alone and to no intervention.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: May 2019

open study

This is the third study in a series of 3 studies to develop a smartphone app to support nondaily smokers in quitting smoking, as funded by the American Cancer Society grant #RSG CPPB - 130323 (project dates: 07/01/2017 - 6/30/2021). Study 1 (2017P001106) demonstrated feasibility and acceptability when smokers were onboarded in person. Study 2 (2018P002699) demonstrated feasibility and acceptability when smokers were onboarded remotely, nationwide. The present study is Study 3. It is a 3-group proof-of-concept RCT, in which we seek to test if our app (i.e., Version 3 of our developed smartphone app, called 'Smiling instead of Smoking' (SiS)) is superior to treatment as usual (i.e., TAU) and superior to a control app (i.e., the National Cancer Institute's smartphone app "QuitGuide" (QG).

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jan 2021

open study

HIV-infected individuals treated with antiretroviral medications are living longer, but have an increased risk of heart disease when compared to non-HIV-infected individuals. A hormone called aldosterone, which regulates blood pressure and sodium balance, is elevated in the HIV population in association with with increased belly fat and altered glucose metabolism. Elevations in aldosterone hormone may also be associated with abnormal blood flow, inflammation, and coronary plaque in the heart. This study is being conducted to evaluate whether therapies to reduce the actions of aldosterone may decrease the burden and progression of heart disease in the HIV population.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jan 2017

open study

Background: Primary Liver Cancer is the second most common cause of cancer-related death worldwide. It is the cancer with the fastest rising incidence and mortality in the United States. Researchers want to learn more about liver cancer to help them design better treatments. Objective: To better understand liver cancer. Eligibility: People ages 18 and older who have liver cancer and had or are planning to have immune therapy Design: Participants will be screened with a review of their medical records. They will be asked about their medical history and test results. Participants will come to the NIH Clinical Center. During this visit, their medical records, test results, imaging studies, and tissue samples (if available) will be gathered. Participants will learn the results of a test to see if they have any mutations known to be connected to cancer. They will learn if there are treatment options for them. Participants will give blood, urine, and stool samples or rectal swabs. Participants will not have follow-up visits just for this study. If they join another NIH research study and have visits for this other study, their medical records; test results; and blood, urine, and stool samples may be collected. This will occur about every 3 months. If they have a biopsy or surgery on another study or as part of treatment and there is leftover tissue, researchers would like to collect some of that tissue. Participants will be contacted every 6 months by phone or e-mail. They will be asked about their health. They will provide any medical records, test results, and imaging studies. Participants will be followed on this study for life.

Type: Observational

Start Date: Jul 2021

open study

This research study is a genomic profiling and repository study for children and young adults who have leukemia, myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) or myeloproliferative syndrome (MPS). Genes are the part of cells that contain the instructions which tell cells how to make the right proteins to grow and work. Genes are composed of DNA letters that spell out these instructions. Genomic profiling helps investigators understand why the disease develops and the instructions that led to its development. Understanding the genetic factors of the disease can also help investigator understand why the disease of some people can respond to certain therapies differently than others. The genomic profiling will be performed using bone marrow and blood samples that either have already been obtained during a previous clinical procedure or will be obtained at the time of a scheduled clinical procedure. Studying the genetic information in the cells of these samples will provide information about the origin, progression, and treatment of leukemia and myeloproliferative syndromes and myelodysplastic syndrome. Storing the bone marrow and blood samples will allow for additional research and genomic assessments to be performed in the future.

Type: Observational [Patient Registry]

Start Date: Jun 2021

open study

In this research study the investigators are examining a blood test to detect HPV DNA in the blood that can possibly detect cancer recurrence earlier than with standard surveillance measures.

Type: Observational

Start Date: Nov 2020

open study

The primary goal for this study is to evaluate up to 3 dose levels of mRNA-1273 vaccine given to healthy children in 2 doses, 28 days apart.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Mar 2021

open study

Background: Allergic reactions have been reported to occur after vaccination with both the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine and Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine. Allergic reactions range from mild to severe and include life- threatening anaphylactic reactions, although no deaths have been reported with either vaccine. This study is designed with two principal aims: - To estimate the proportions of systemic allergic reactions to the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine and the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine in a High-Allergy/Mast Cell Disorder (HA/MCD) population, and - If the risk in the HA/MCD is demonstrable, to determine whether the proportions are higher in the HA/MCD in comparison to a representative population without severe allergies or mast cell disorders

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Apr 2021

open study

The purpose of this study is to examine the feasibility of using a trans-nasal IPD probe as a measurement tool for gut permeability

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Nov 2020

open study

This is a multi-center Phase 3 study to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of an investigational study drug (called CTP-543) in adults (18 years and older) who have 50% or greater scalp hair loss. The study is placebo-controlled, meaning that some patients entering the study will not receive active study drug but will receive tablets with no active ingredients (a placebo). It is double-blinded, meaning that the Sponsor, the study doctors, the staff, and the patients will not know whether a patient is on active study drug (or the dose) or placebo.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Nov 2020

open study

Pivotal trial to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the Edwards EVOQUE tricuspid valve replacement system

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Apr 2021

open study

The Parkinson Progression Marker Initiative 2.0 (PPMI 2.0) is a longitudinal, observational, multi-center natural history study to assess progression of clinical features, digital outcomes, and imaging, biologic and genetic markers of Parkinson's disease (PD) progression in study participants with manifest PD, prodromal PD, and healthy controls The overall goal of PPMI 2.0 is to identify markers of disease progression for use in clinical trials of therapies to reduce progression of PD disability.

Type: Observational

Start Date: Jul 2020

open study