Mass General - Division of Clinical Research

This study aims to determine the transient, modulatory effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on executive function and inhibitory control in patients with ADHD compared to healthy controls.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Sep 2014

open study

The registry aims to collect patient information such as patient demographics, co-morbidities, clinical, diagnostic, and therapeutic data, as well as information on adverse events and HRQOL outcomes specific for patients with metastatic spine tumor(s).

Type: Observational [Patient Registry]

Start Date: Nov 2017

open study

The objective of this study protocol is to test whether intermittent theta-burst transcranial magnetic stimulation (iTBS-TMS) to the inferior parietal lobule (IPL) can strengthen functional connectivity with a key region in emotion regulation (ER) neurocircuitry (anterior insula, AI) and improve performance on ER-related tasks in patients with bipolar disorder. Individual IPL sites for stimulation will be identified through baseline, pre-TMS functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scans. Patient-specific IPL subregions showing positive functional connectivity with the anterior insula and falling within the patient-specific frontoparietal control network will be used as individualized target sites for TMS stimulation. Patients will be randomized to receive 24 sessions of active versus sham iTBS to patient-specific IPL targets (6 sessions/day, 4 days, 43,200 pulses total). Post-iTBS resting-state and task-based fMRI scans will be acquired 3 days after the final day of iTBS administration (Day 4) following identical procedures as baseline. Effects of iTBS-TMS on ER will be evaluated by comparing pre-TMS versus post-TMS functional connectivity and behavior during performance on ER tasks.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Sep 2024

open study

Resection of glioblastoma in or near functional brain tissue is challenging because of the proximity of important structures to the tumor site. To pursue maximal resection in a safe manner, mapping methods have been developed to test for motor and language function during the operation. Previous evidence suggests that these techniques are beneficial for maximum safe resection in newly diagnosed grade 2-4 astrocytoma, grade 2-3 oligodendroglioma, and recently, glioblastoma. However, their effects in recurrent glioblastoma are still poorly understood. The aim of this study, therefore, is to compare the effects of awake mapping and asleep mapping with no mapping in resections for recurrent glioblastoma. This study is an international, multicenter, prospective 3-arm cohort study of observational nature. Recurrent glioblastoma patients will be operated with mapping or no mapping techniques with a 1:1 ratio. Primary endpoints are: 1) proportion of patients with NIHSS (National Institute of Health Stroke Scale) deterioration at 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months after surgery and 2) residual tumor volume of the contrast-enhancing and non-contrast-enhancing part as assessed by a neuroradiologist on postoperative contrast MRI scans. Secondary endpoints are: 1) overall survival (OS), 2) progression-free survival (PFS), 4) health-related quality of life (HRQoL) at 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months after surgery, and 4) frequency and severity of Serious Adverse Events (SAEs) in each arm. Estimated total duration of the study is 5 years. Patient inclusion is 4 years, follow-up is 1 year. The study will be carried out by the centers affiliated with the European and North American Consortium and Registry for Intraoperative Mapping (ENCRAM).

Type: Observational

Start Date: Jan 2023

open study

In this study twenty-five (25) subjects with Crohn's disease scheduled for possible surgical intervention will be recruited for this study and a PET/MR scan using the collagen-binding radiotracer will be performed. The study aims to establish the performance figures of PET/MR using [68Ga]CBP8-PET for preoperative detection and differentiation of strictures with a fibrotic component in patients with Crohn's disease by using surgical and histologic findings (when available) as the standard for comparison. Furthermore, the investigators will determine the performance figures with which strictures are identified and characterized by PET/MR using [68Ga]CBP8-PET compared to each modality in isolation (PET alone or MR alone). Blood and tissue markers for fibrostenosis will be explored (either predictive or as biomarkers for fibrotic burden), using histologic and molecular testing by using surgical and histologic findings (when available) as the standard for comparison. Lastly the investigators want to determine the performance figures with which strictures are identified and characterized by PET/MR using [68Ga]CBP8-PET compared to each modality in isolation (PET alone or MR alone).

Type: Observational

Start Date: Dec 2023

open study

The aim of this study is to better understand how tenapanor affects the metagenomics and metabolomics of patients with irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C). Tenapanor is the newest FDA-approved agent for IBS-C. It is a small molecule that inhibits the NHE3 receptor, leading to impaired sodium and water absorption in the intestine. Previous clinical trials comparing tenapanor to placebo showed that a 50 mg dose of tenapanor led to increased bowel movements and decreased abdominal pain. This study consists of an 8-week treatment period in which subjects will ingest one capsule of tenapanor (50 mg per dose), twice daily, and send in stool samples following 4 weeks and 8 weeks of treatment.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Feb 2024

open study

VERIFY will validate biomarkers of upper extremity (UE) motor outcome in the acute ischemic stroke window for immediate use in clinical trials, and explore these biomarkers in acute intracerebral hemorrhage. VERIFY will create the first multicenter, large-scale, prospective dataset of clinical, transmagnetic stimulation (TMS), and MRI measures in the acute stroke time window.

Type: Observational

Start Date: Jun 2022

open study

This is a prospective randomized multi-center study which will compare acute fluid resuscitation using a colloid strategy (LR + 5% Albumin) to a crystalloid strategy (LR alone), in adults with an acute burn involving at least 25% of their total body surface area.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Apr 2021

open study

CLN-049-001 is a Phase 1, open-label, multicenter, first-in-human trial of CLN-049 in patients with Relapsed/Refractory Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) or Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS)

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Nov 2021

open study

There is no consensus on the optimal treatment of patients with high-grade glioma, especially when patients have limited functioning performance at presentation (KPS ≤70). Therefore, there are varied practice patterns around pursuing biopsy, resection, or palliation (best supportive care). This study aims to characterize the impact of palliative care versus biopsy versus resection on survival and quality of life in these patients. Also, it will aim to determine if there is a subset of patients that benefit the most from resection or biopsy, for which outcome, and how they could be identified preoperatively. This study is an international, multicenter, prospective, 3-arm cohort study of observational nature. Consecutive HGG patients will be treated with palliative care, biopsy, or resection at a 1:3:3 ratio. Primary endpoints are: 1) overall survival, and 2) quality of life at 6 weeks, 3 months and 6 months after initial presentation based on the EQ-5D, EORTC QLQ C30 and EORTC BN 20 questionnaires. Total duration of the study is 5 years. Patient inclusion is 4 years, follow-up is 1 year.

Type: Observational

Start Date: Jan 2023

open study

There are no guidelines or prospective studies defining the optimal surgical treatment for gliomas of older patients (≥70 years) or those with limited functioning performance at presentation (KPS ≤70). Therefore, the decision between resection and biopsy is varied, amongst neurosurgeons internationally and at times even within an instiutition. This study aims to compare the effects of maximal tumor resection versus tissue biopsy on survival, functional, neurological, and quality of life outcomes in these patient subgroups. Furthermore, it evaluates which modality would maximize the potential to undergo adjuvant treatment. This study is an international, multicenter, prospective, 2-arm cohort study of observational nature. Consecutive HGG patients will be treated with resection or biopsy at a 3:1 ratio. Primary endpoints are: 1) overall survival (OS) and 2) proportion of patients that have received adjuvant treatment with chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Secondary endpoints are 1) proportion of patients with NIHSS (National Institute of Health Stroke Scale) deterioration at 6 weeks, 3 months and 6 months after surgery 2) progression-free survival (PFS); 3) quality of life at 6 weeks, 3 months and 6 months after surgery and 4) frequency and severity of Serious Adverse Events (SAEs). Total duration of the study is 5 years. Patient inclusion is 4 years, follow-up is 1 year.

Type: Observational

Start Date: Jan 2023

open study

This is a master protocol for a prospective Phase I-II study evaluating feasibility and efficacy of incorporating magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) simulation into the planning of radiation treatments.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Oct 2020

open study

The purpose of this study is to find out if pulsed dye laser treatment or timolol maleate 0.5% gel can help infants who have a hemangioma. The investigators also want to find out if pulsed dye laser treatment and timolol maleate 0.5% gel are safe to use without causing too many side effects. Hemangioma is a common type of birthmark. These birthmarks happen when many new blood vessels grow in a specific area on the skin. Blood vessels are tiny tubes that carry blood through the body. No one knows what causes blood vessels to group together. Most birthmarks don't hurt at all and they usually aren't a sign of any kind of illness. Lots of newborns have these birthmarks on their bodies, like between the eyebrows. These birthmarks usually disappear within the first few months to years of life. These birthmarks tend to disappear spontaneously. Most hemangiomas are not treated unless the hemangioma threatens the child's health, which occurs in about 1 in 3 children with hemagiomas. Pulsed dye laser is widely used in children, and is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating hemangioma. The FDA has approved timolol maleate to treat glaucoma in adults, but the FDA has not approved timolol maleate to treat hemangiomas in children. About 7 infants with hemangiomas have received timolol maleate. The results so far show that timolol maleate may be helpful and safe in treating hemangiomas in infants. An important question being tested in this study is whether pulsed-dye laser or timolol maleate can prevent hemangioma from growing when used very early after birth.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Feb 2011

open study

The overall objective of this study is to compare knowledge, decisional conflict, preferences, and caregiver burden over time caregivers of Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD) patients by comparing the effectiveness of a video decision aid intervention and enhanced usual care.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Apr 2022

open study

Current methods of measuring the response to new treatments for muscular dystrophies involve the examination of small pieces of muscle tissue called biopsies. The investigators are interested in finding less invasive methods that reduce the need for muscle biopsies. The purpose of this research is to learn about the possibility of detecting and measuring the activity and severity of muscular dystrophies by examining a urine sample and a blood sample, and some muscles in the arms and legs using tests called ultrasound and electrical impedance myography; both tests are painless and non-invasive. The information that is gathered from this study may help to evaluate, prevent, diagnose, treat, and improve the understanding of human muscle diseases.

Type: Observational

Start Date: Feb 2015

open study

The proposed research will test the hypothesis that objective social isolation and loneliness are linked to neurobehavioral mechanisms involved in social perception and motivation in individuals with and without serious mental illness. Moreover, it will investigate the specific dynamic interactions among these experiences in daily life and how they, and their neurobehavioral predictors, are linked to day-to-day functioning. The findings of this project could provide novel targets for therapeutics aimed at improving functioning and overall quality of life in individuals with serious mental illnesses, as well as quantitative phenotypes for use in early detection efforts.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jul 2022

open study

This study will evaluate whether LDCT findings differ between firefighters and non-fighters, the relationship between occupational exposures and LDCT findings, and whether a proteomics assay can further risk-stratify screen-detected nodules among a study population of 850 current and retired firefighters and 1,120 matched controls.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Mar 2021

open study

The DISCORDANCE TAVR study will determine the discordance between echocardiography-derived and invasive transaortic gradients, as determined by a consistent and reproducible technique (Standardized Invasive Hemodynamics) post-TAVR.

Type: Observational

Start Date: Aug 2021

open study

The aim of this study is to assess whether the use of a commercially available nutraceutical, turmeric, is an effective option to manage pain and stiffness in patients with basal joint arthritis. To conduct a pilot Randomized Controlled Trial evaluating the impact of turmeric on basal joint arthritis.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Aug 2017

open study

The study will consist of a 24-week-long trial examining outcomes in patients with Major Depressive Disorder and suicidal ideation who will receive intravenous (IV) ketamine and intranasal (IN) esketamine, compared to a large sample of matched historical controls. Patients will be recruited from an inpatient psychiatric unit. Eligible patients who provided informed consent will be enrolled in the study that will include a eight IV ketamine treatments, 13 esketamine treatment visits, seven long assessment visits, five short assessment visits, and daily surveys. The study will examine the feasibility, tolerability, and efficacy of repeated IV ketamine followed by esketamine, as well as predictors of treatment response.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Oct 2022

open study

This trial will determine the clinical effectiveness of polygenic risk score testing among patients at high genetic risk for at least one of six diseases (coronary artery disease, atrial fibrillation, type 2 diabetes mellitus, colorectal cancer, breast cancer, or prostate cancer), measured by time-to-diagnosis of prevalent or incident disease over 24 months.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jul 2020

open study

This research study is studying a combination of drugs as a possible treatment for Hepatocellular Carcinoma or Biliary Tract Cancer. The interventions involved in this study are: - Durvalumab - Tremelimumab - Radiation Therapy

Type: Interventional

Start Date: May 2018

open study

This research study is studying a combination of drugs with radiation therapy as a possible treatment for Microsatellite Stable Colorectal Cancer, Pancreatic Cancer, or MSI High Colorectal Cancer. The interventions involved in this study are: - Nivolumab - Ipilimumab - Radiation Therapy

Type: Interventional

Start Date: May 2017

open study

The study evaluates the effect of theophylline in 100 subjects with Pseudohypoparathyroidism.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Nov 2019

open study

This research study is a Phase I clinical trial. Phase I clinical trials test the safety of an investigational intervention. Phase I studies also try to define the appropriate dose of the investigational therapy to use for further studies. "Investigational" means that the intervention is still being studied and that research doctors are trying to find out more about it. Retroperitoneal sarcomas are soft tissue tumors located at the far back of the abdomen. Typically, patients with retroperitoneal sarcomas either have surgery for the removal of their tumors alone, or have their tumors removed, followed by standard radiation therapy, or have pre-operative radiation followed by surgery. When conventional radiation therapy is delivered after surgery, it can damage normal tissue. In this study, you will undergo proton beam radiation therapy or IMRT before undergoing surgery for the removal of your tumor. Proton radiation and IMRT are FDA approved radiation delivery systems. Protons are tiny particles with positive charge that can be controlled to travel a certain distance and stop inside the body. In theory, this allows better control of where the radiation dose is delivered as compared to photons. Since proton radiation is more targeted, it may help to reduce unwanted side effects from radiation. In this study, a standard dose of radiation will be given to the majority of the tumor, while a simultaneously integrated boost of additional radiation will be given to certain areas of the tumor identified as higher risk. This means that a higher radiation dose will be given to the higher risk areas of the tumor. The purpose of this study is to determine the highest dose of radiation therapy with protons or IMRT that can be delivered safely in patients with retroperitoneal sarcomas and the effectiveness of proton beam radiation therapy as an intervention for patients with retroperitoneal sarcomas.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Dec 2012

open study