Mass General - Division of Clinical Research

The goal of this Nutrition for Precision Health (NPH) powered by All of Us research study is to develop Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML) algorithms that predict individual responses to diet patterns using rich multimodal data streams collected across multiple domains (e.g., behavior, social, environmental, clinical and molecular biomarkers). NPH includes a large phenotyping cohort (Module 1, N=8000) and two separate follow-up groups drawn from a subset of Module 1participants. One group (Module 2, N=1200) receives three distinct diets in a 14-day crossover sequence, with at least a 14-day washout period between diets, while living in their own homes. A second group (Module 3, N=150) receives the same three diets under full-time supervision in a residential research setting. We will train and test AI/ML models to predict 0-4 hour postprandial response curves for glucose, insulin, triglycerides, and GLP-1, to the standardized diet-specific meal test (DSMT) collected after each of the three different diets delivered in Module 2. Each diet functions as a controlled stimulus to reveal biological features (such as individual variables, patterns, or clusters of measurements) that best predict a person's response. The Module 2 DSMT response curves are the primary outcomes (dependent variables) for AI/ML algorithms that predict individual responses to diet patterns. As a secondary objective, NPH will evaluate the validity and acceptability of technology-based dietary assessment tools. The Automated Self-Administered 24-hour recall (ASA24), Automatic Ingestion Monitor-2 (AIM-2), and the mobile food record (mFR) will be evaluated in Modules 2 and 3, and the ASA24 food record and the image-assisted ASA24 recall will be evaluated only in Module 3. Total energy intake, macronutrient and dietary fiber intake data are the main outcomes for validity testing compared against measures of actual intake. Acceptability will be determined from feedback surveys.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Apr 2023

open study

The purpose of this study is to assess the safety, tolerability, immunogenicity and pharmacodynamic effects of ACI-24.060 in subjects with prodromal Alzheimer's disease and in non-demented adults with Down syndrome.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jun 2022

open study

This study will evaluate how safe the study drug is, how well patients tolerate it, how it works in the body, and the disease's response to the drug. The study drug being tested is sarilumab, when given with the combination of ipilimumab, nivolumab, and relatlimab in patients like yourself, with stage III or stage IV melanoma that cannot be removed by surgery. Previous studies have provided a strong rationale for combining sarilumab, with ipilimumab, nivolumab and relatlimab in metastatic melanoma to reduce side effects and potentially work better for your type of cancer. Sarilumab is an FDA-approved inhibitor of the receptor for the cytokine IL-6, currently approved for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, but it is not FDA-approved to treat melanoma. This means that the use of Sarilumab to treat melanoma is considered investigational. The other drugs which will be administered in this study, ipilimumab and nivolumab, are also monoclonal antibodies, but they target different proteins. Ipilimumab and nivolumab are both approved by the FDA to treat advanced stage III and IV melanomas. The nivolumab + relatlimab FDC (fixed dose combination) being used in this study is considered investigational, meaning it is not approved by the FDA. The combination of sarilumab, ipilimumab, nivolumab and relatlimab is considered investigational because it has not yet been approved by the FDA. The FDA has given its permission to study the investigational combination of these drugs in this research study.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Feb 2023

open study

The investigators are investigating whether home-based tDCS over the course of four weeks can improve ADHD symptom severity and improve dysexecutive functioning (cognitive control). Further, the investigators are investigating whether there is a dose-dependent response to tDCS.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jul 2022

open study

This research study is studying Proton Radiation as a possible treatment for brain tumor. The radiation involved in this study is: -Proton Radiation

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Sep 2018

open study

This study will demonstrate the safety and effectiveness of the Edwards Lifesciences SAPIEN 3/SAPIEN 3 Ultra RESILIA Transcatheter Heart Valve (THV) Systems in subjects with a dysfunctional right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) conduit or previously implanted valve in the pulmonic position with a clinical indication for intervention.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jul 2016

open study

The purpose of this study is to use a non-invasive imaging technique called positron emission tomography/magnetic resonance imaging (PET/MRI) to investigate the effects of exercise on brain activity and arterial (blood vessel) inflammation in people with PTSD symptoms and evidence of or elevated risk for artery disease.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Feb 2025

open study

The goal of this clinical trial is to test a behavioral health program (Interventions for Stressful Transitions in Later Life, InSTILL) for skilled nursing facility residents and their primary support person. The main questions it aims to answer is whether the program is program is feasible, satisfactory, and helpful. The researchers will compare the InSTILL program to minimally enhanced usual care. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either the InSTILL program or minimally enhanced usual care. Participants will complete assessments at three timepoints (all) and a brief-exit interview.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Nov 2025

open study

Building Connections seeks to address health and healthcare inequities in socially vulnerable communities. The project will be conducted in collaboration with clinical practices across Massachusetts, serving a diverse population heavily represented in Community Clinics and Health Centers. The program will offer evidence-based interventions in obesity/weight management, cancer screening, and mental health.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Aug 2025

open study

This research study involves assessing the impact of emapalumab as preventative management of CAR-T related cytokine release syndrome in participants with Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). The research study involves the following study interventions: - Fludarabine and cyclophosphamide (Lymphodepleting Chemotherapy) - Axicabtagene Ciloleucel - Emapalumab

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Sep 2024

open study

The goal of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of CHAMPION ("Comparative-effectiveness of a Healthy lifestyle and Asthma Management Program, In-person vs ONline"), a primary care-based intervention to address childhood obesity and asthma, and test the effectiveness of a telehealth-only version of the program. Intensive Health Behavior and Lifestyle Treatment (IHBLT), when delivered via telehealth vs. in-person among children with overweight or obesity and persistent asthma.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jul 2024

open study

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effective connectivity between different regions of the human brain in healthy participants, and the mechanisms which influence and modulate its development. Specifically, the investigators will examine the effects of cortico-cortical paired associative stimulation (ccPAS) which is induced by the application of brief (< 1 ms) transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) pulses separated by a short millisecond-level time intervals ("asynchrony") to two different areas of the brain. All techniques are non-invasive and considered safe in humans: TMS, electroencephalography (EEG), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Based on previous animal and human studies, it is hypothesized that ccPAS will increase or decrease effective connectivity between the stimulated areas depending on the asynchrony value. The main outcome measure is source-resolved EEG cortico-cortical evoked potentials (ccEPs) elicited by single-pulse TMS.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Dec 2024

open study

Research suggests that Whole Body Hyperthermia in a sauna-like environment can reduce symptoms related to post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 (PASC), or Long Covid. The investigators aim to study the feasibility and treatment effect of this procedure for patients experiencing Long Covid symptoms.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Aug 2026

open study

The goal of this study is to conduct a pilot randomized waitlist-controlled trial to assess the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effects of substituting the NIDA standardized research e-cigarette (SREC) for combusted cigarettes in MOUD-TUD who are not ready to quit smoking. A waitlist controlled RCT using a mixed-methods sequential explanatory design will investigate the impact of SREC provision on: 1) tobacco use behavior (e.g., cigarettes per day [primary outcome], SREC use), 2) biomarkers (e.g., carbon monoxide, anabasine), 3) cigarette dependence and withdrawal, and 4) short-term health effects and tolerability (e.g., respiratory symptoms, substance use). In the proposed RCT, N=40 adults stable on MOUD with buprenorphine who report daily smoking recruited from MGH primary care practices will be randomly assigned to receive the SREC for 8 weeks, either immediately (iSREC), or after an 8-week delay (waitlist control [WLC]). They will be followed an additional 4 weeks after SREC provision ends (to 12 weeks in iSREC and 20 weeks in WLC).

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jun 2024

open study

A Clinical Study to Assess the Efficacy and Safety of Leriglitazone in Adults Male Subjects with Cerebral Adrenoleukodystrophy.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jul 2023

open study

The purpose of this study is to obtain preliminary device safety information and demonstrate proof of principle (feasibility) of the ability of people with tetraplegia to control a computer cursor and other assistive devices with their thoughts.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Oct 2023

open study

The proposed study is a two-arm randomized clinical trial designed to assess the effects of the StrokeWear system on clinical outcomes over a period of 6-months in chronic stroke survivors. The Intervention group will use StrokeWear system in combination to a motor and behavioral home intervention whereas the Control group will follow usual care which consists of a home-exercise plan (HEP).

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Mar 2025

open study

This registry evaluates patient characteristics, real-world treatment patterns, and short- and long-term outcomes in a population of patients in the United States and Europe with symptomatic obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) who are receiving mavacamten, receiving other treatment for obstructive HCM, or not receiving treatment for obstructive HCM due to intolerance or failure of prior treatment. United States Sub-Study: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety of mavacamten in patients with symptomatic obstructive HCM in the real-world setting. Europe Sub-Study: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of mavacamten in patients with symptomatic obstructive HCM in the real-world setting.

Type: Observational [Patient Registry]

Start Date: Aug 2022

open study

Adjacent segment disease (ASD) in the lumbar spine is a well-known sequela of lumbar fusion surgery. The annual incidence of adjacent level re-operation is approximately 3% with a ten-year prevalence of 20-30%. Frequently, the surgical treatment involves decompression of the adjacent level coupled with extension of the instrumentation and fusion. Advocates of this paradigm cite the altered kinematics and biomechanics of levels adjacent to a lumbar fusion mass. Furthermore, decompressed levels adjacent to a fused segments are associated with higher rates of ASD in retrospective studies. Yet, a retrospective review of higher quality data concluded decompression adjacent to single-level fusion provides similar outcomes compared to fusions extending across the decompressed segments. Given the conflicting data currently available, higher quality data are needed to guide surgical decision-making in ASD. The purpose of this trial is to prospectively compare decompression and decompression with fusion in patients with lumbar ASD.

Type: Observational

Start Date: Sep 2020

open study

The plot study aims to evaluate the effect of 8 weeks of stress reducing intervention on atherosclerotic plaque inflammation in adults, as quantified by positron emission tomography (PET) with fluorine-2-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG) in individuals with increased psychosocial stress.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Sep 2018

open study

This study will compare the effectiveness of osimertinib alone with the combination of osimertinib and chemotherapy (carboplatin and pemetrexed) in people with metastatic lung cancer that has a change (mutation) in the gene EGFR. Osimertinib alone is the usual treatment for metastatic EGFR-mutant lung cancer. Researchers think adding chemotherapy to osimertinib could possibly add to the anticancer effects of the usual treatment and help stop cancer from growing or spreading.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: May 2020

open study

The purpose of this study is to obtain preliminary device safety information and demonstrate proof of principle (feasibility) of the ability of people with tetraplegia to control a computer cursor and other assistive devices with their thoughts.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: May 2009

open study

This multicenter retrospective observational cohort study seeks to: 1. Classify surgical intent in patients with resected Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasms (IPMN) and quantify the proportion of IPMN-associated cancers diagnosed as overt pancreatic cancer with incidental IPMN association on pathology. 2. Compare clinicopathologic features and outcomes between surveillance-detected and incidentally detected IPMN-derived pancreatic cancers. 3. Revise and redefine risk features limited to patients undergoing surgery for IPMN-related indications, identifying optimal predictors of malignant IPMN (high-grade dysplasia or invasive cancer).

Type: Observational

Start Date: Sep 2025

open study

Noise from cars, planes, and trains affects all people and has been associated with heart disease. Almost 30% of Americans are exposed to harmful levels of noise and noise accounts for the loss of more than one million healthy life years per year in Europe. Noise causes stress and may be most dangerous when it happens at night. The mechanisms linking noise to heart disease involve changes in the brain and the "fight or flight" response. These changes lead to inflammation and blood vessel disease. However, there are few laws that restrict noise and it is not addressed in medical care. Further, as cities and industries grow, noise continues to increase. Moreover, noise often occurs in areas that are also exposed to other stressors like high air pollution and low income. Yet, there is little research on noise, and it is not known if lowering noise exposure helps heart health. The investigators will use imaging to test if earplugs that block noise improve stress symptoms and changes in the the brain, blood vessels, and stress pathways that lead to disease. The investigators expect that people who use earplugs will have lower measures of stress and heart disease at follow-up. The study will include 26 people with heart disease risk with high noise exposure or who are annoyed by noise. At the first visit, subjects will have imaging of the brain and blood vessels and will have assessments of stress, inflammation, and the "fight or flight" response. They will be assigned to use earplugs or not after the first visit. After 6 months, imaging and other testing will be repeated. It will help to understand how noise impacts the body and whether the effects can be changed. It may also identify important treatments to prevent heart disease in people exposed to noise. By testing if the adverse effects of noise can be lowered with earplugs, this project supports the AHA's mission to be a force for a world of longer and healthier lives.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Oct 2025

open study

The hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (preeclampsia and gestational hypertension) are associated with increased long-term maternal risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Recent evidence suggests that activation of the mineralocorticoid receptor promotes ongoing susceptibility to hypertension in women following hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. In addition, women with overweight/obesity are at increased risk for progression to chronic hypertension after experiencing hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. Among women with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and pre-pregnancy overweight/obesity, the investigators will conduct a randomized trial to test the effect of pharmacologically blocking the mineralocorticoid receptor for three months after delivery on blood pressure and cardiac remodeling at nine months postpartum.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Oct 2025

open study