Research studies

The following research studies are currently recruiting participants:

Healthy, nonsmoking, 25- to 35-year-old males with normal weight are needed for a one-hour study at the University of Pittsburgh. This study is designed to measure the timing of blood flow through bands and electrodes on the skin. Blood pressure will be measured and a brief medical history taken to check eligibility. Compensation of $50 will be provided at the completion of the session. For more information, call 412-648-9270 or e-mail owensjf@upmc.edu.

The Mood Disorders Treatment Research Program is recruiting subjects for studies that may involve cognitive therapy, insomnia therapy, medications for depression, and surgical interventions for treatment-resistant depression. Participants must be depressed and not abusing drugs or alcohol. Participants who qualify will receive expert evaluation and treatment at no cost. For more information, call 412-246-6111.

The University of Pittsburgh Department of Medicine is sponsoring a research study on biofeedback treatment for urinary incontinence involving a bladder evaluation, MRI, and pelvic floor muscle training. You may be eligible if you are a woman 60 or older and have difficulty controlling your bladder. Participants may receive a stipend of up to $450. Women without urinary leakage are also being recruited, and may receive a stipend of up to $250. For more information, call 412-647-1271 or 412-647-1272.

The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine is conducting a research study on sleep in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom military veterans. The goal of this research study is to examine brain activity during sleep and wakefulness in military veterans between 18 and 50 years old with and without posttraumatic stress disorder. Participants will receive a physical examination, sleep studies, and brain imaging studies, and will receive up to $500.  For more information, call 412-246-6965 or visit www.veteranssleep.pitt.edu.

The Center for Excellence in Autism Research at the University of Pittsburgh is accepting healthy boys between 6 and 17 years old, with no mental health diagnosis or family history of mental disorders, to participate in a research study and earn up to $250. Participants will have paper and pencil tests, computer testing, eye movement tracking, and functional MRI (fMRI) scans. Evening and weekend testing times are available. For more information, call 1-866 647-3436, e-mail autismrecruiter@upmc.edu, or visit www.pittautismresearch.org.

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh are recruiting healthy adults between the ages of 50 and 65 to participate in a research study of brain functioning during sleep. This study involves completion of a physical, an MRI scan, four nights of EEG sleep studies, and positron emission tomography (PET) scans of the brain. This research study will study the different areas of the brain that are active during sleep. Participants will be compensated upon completion of the study. For more details, call 412-246-6448.

To learn more about various research studies and clinical trials at the University of Pittsburgh, visit the Office of Clinical Research website at www.clinicalresearch.pitt.edu.