Research Participant Registry

Healthy Volunteer Studies

Listed below are several healthy volunteer studies that are currently recruiting through the Research Participant Registry. If you are interested in hearing more about one or more of the studies listed below, please contact the Research Participant Registry at 1-866-438-8230 or via e-mail researchregistry@hs.pitt.edu. If you are not already a Registry participant, you can join now!

POF Study – Healthy Controls	University of Pittsburgh PRO09080427
Are you a woman who has reached (or will reach) menopause after the age of 46? Do you have at least 1 live born child? Or have you chosen not to have children due to personal and not medical reasons? If so, you may be eligible for a study to learn more about the genetics of Premature Ovarian Insufficiency (POI). POI causes premature menopause and infertility. There is one study visit at Magee.

Severe Depression Study – Healthy Volunteers	University of Pittsburgh PRO11120375A
Healthy volunteers between the ages of 18 and 40 needed for a study to understand the potential metabolic causes for severe depression that is treatment resistant. Participation involves three study visits. Participants will be asked to complete an assessment interview and to give blood, urine and cerebrospinal fluid samples. Participants will be compensated.

A Family Study of Schizophrenia and Related Conditions – Healthy Volunteers

University of Pittsburgh IRB010218A

A Family Study of Schizophrenia and Related Conditions – Healthy Volunteers Are you Caucasian and age 30 or above? Are you without mental health or current drug and alcohol abuse problems? If so, you may be eligible to participate in a study to help researchers better understand what causes illnesses like schizophrenia. Participation involves 1-2 appointments and includes cognitive testing, donation of a blood sample and a fMRI scan. Participants will be compensated.

HIV Prevention Research Registry	University of Pittsburgh_PRO11110371
Are you interested in learning about HIV prevention research studies taking place at the University of Pittsburgh and UPMC? If so, you can join the HIV Prevention Research Registry. HIV prevention registry members may be contacted by registry staff members about studies for which they appear to qualify. Eligible participants are ages 18 and older.

Psychophysiologic Deficits in Parkinson’s Disease - Healthy Controls	University of Pittsburgh_PRO12020587A
A researcher is seeking healthy controls age 40 or older to participate in a study that seeks to measure the body’s physical response to emotion. Healthy controls are needed to compare to the results of subjects with Parkinson’s disease. All tests are non-invasive and will assess physical responses to pictures that may or may not elicit an emotional reaction. Compensation provided.

LIFT Study

University of Pittsburgh_PRO11070243

Are you over the age of 50 and currently being seen in a UPMC primary care practice? If so, you may be eligible to participate in a study that is being conducted to see how people’s views of their past, present, and future well-being change over time. Participants will complete a yearly questionnaire that will take 1 hour per year for 3 years. The questionnaire can be completed over the Internet.

Options Now - ON Study	University of Pittsburgh_PRO12020292
Researchers are looking for HIV-negative men and women between the ages of 18 and 45 to take part in a study to assess the safety and acceptability of an investigational anti-HIV medication given as an intramuscular injection. Participants need to be in general good health and able to make all study visits (anywhere from 3-10 months of follow-up). Compensation provided.

Venous Genetic Study - Healthy Volunteers	University of Pittsburgh_PRO10120155
Are you a relatively healthy adult age 50 or older who does not have varicose veins and is not taking steroids (i.e., prednisone)? If so, you may be eligible to participate in a genetic study about vein disease. Study involves a medical history, a review of your circulatory function, one blood draw, a free meal ticket and a free15 minute vein ultrasound exam of both legs.

HPTN-069 - NEXT-PrEP	University of Pittsburgh_PRO11100727
Are you at least 18 years of age, HIV-negative and a man who has sex with men? If so, you may be eligible to participate in the NEXT PrEP study which is looking at the safety and tolerability of 3 approved anti-HIV medicines being investigated for future use to prevent HIV transmission. Participation lasts one year and includes 11 study visits. Participants will be compensated.

The Healing Context Computer Study	University of Pittsburgh_PRO11020177
This study involves completing computer questionnaires about healing and health care. You may be eligible to participate if you have started a new treatment within the past 4 months (this can include starting a new medicine, new treatment plan, or a referral to a specialist), can read and understand English, and are able and willing to complete questionnaires on a computer. Compensation provided.

TrialNet: Pathway to Prevention - Ages 18-45	University of Pittsburgh_PRO10080594A
Are you between the ages of 18 and 45, with a relative who has Type 1 diabetes (T1D)? If so, you may be eligible to be screened for T1D studies, with the goal of preventing T1D in the future. With a blood test, doctors can determine if an individual is at risk for T1D years before symptoms occur. Those at increased risk for T1D may be eligible to join studies that may prevent or delay T1D.

BAL Study - Healthy Volunteers	University of Pittsburgh_PRO11090513B
If you are in general good health and between the ages of 18 and 65, you may be eligible to participate in a study involving the use of a bronchoscope to obtain fluid from air passages of the lungs. Must be a non-smoker with no personal history of lung disease. Study participation will last one day, and compensation is provided.

Self-Regulation of Reward in Adolescence - age 18	University of Pittsburgh_PRO11070403B
Are you 18 years of age and relatively healthy? If so, you may be eligible to participate in a study to learn how adolescents respond to positive or exciting experiences. Participants must have a friend of the same gender and similar age who is also willing to participate. This study includes an interview, computer tasks and a brain imaging scan. Compensation provided.

Evidence-Based Cognitive Rehabilitation to Improve Functional Outcomes for Young Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders - Healthy Male Volunteers	University of Pittsburgh_PRO08120280
Are you a man between the ages of 18 and 45? If so, and if you do not have a diagnosis of autism, Asperger’s syndrome, or a pervasive development disorder, you may be eligible to participate in this study to help researchers better understand how to treat people with autism spectrum disorders. Participants will undergo screening procedures before qualifying for the study. Compensation provided.

Cancer Family Registry	University of Pittsburgh_0406182
The primary goal of this registry is to create a pool of information from families that will help to explain causes of breast and gynecological cancers. Eligible participants are adult men and women who are at high risk of developing cancer. Participants will be asked to provide lifestyle, medical, family history, and gene status information, if known, and to donate blood and urine specimens.

CHARM-01	University of Pittsburgh_PRO12030070
Healthy men and women needed to take part in a HIV prevention study! Are you age 18 or older and HIV negative? Have you had receptive anal intercourse within the past 3 months? Researchers are testing a new drug in different gel forms to see if the gels are safe for use in the rectum. Study involves 11 clinic visits over 3-4 months. Participants will be compensated for their time and travel

Allergy Study	Schulman Associates Institutional Review Board, Inc_201201104
Do you have a diagnosis of allergic rhinitis, allergic asthma, or atopic dermatitis, but are otherwise healthy? If so, and if you are between the ages of 18 and 60 years old, you may qualify to participate in this study which involves an investigational medication for individuals with allergies. This study involves overnight stays in the hospital. Participants will be compensated.

RECALL Study	University of Pittsburgh_PRO10110050
Are you or a loved one age 60 or older and noticing mild changes in memory or thinking? If so, you may be eligible to participate in a study that is seeking to maximize brain health and develop more productive ways to manage these common, mild changes. Participants may learn methods to cope better, improve sleep, and/or increase their activity level. All interventions are provided at no cost.

Early Development of Prosocial Behavior	University of Pittsburgh_PRO10060279
Ever wonder what babies and toddlers understand about feelings? Looking for 12-48 month olds and their parents to participate in a research study on the development of emotion understanding & sharing. All study procedures are play-based. Parent stays with the child at all times. Reserved parking provided at no cost. Sib-minding is available. A small gift (toy or book) is provided for your child.

Long term patency following arterial repair	University of Pittsburgh_PRO12010024
Pitt researcher seeking participants for a study to investigate long-term blockage rates of repaired arteries of the arm. Eligible participants have suffered a vascular injury of their arms/upper extremity and are at least 6 months post-surgical repair of these injuries. Participants will receive a non-invasive duplex Doppler ultrasound and will complete questionnaires during a study visit.

Assessing the Effect of Contraception and the Menstrual Cycle on Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacodynamics, and Vaginal Safety in Tenofovir Vaginal Gel Users, Protocol #A10-114	University of Pittsburgh_PRO11100105
Are you a healthy, sexually-active woman between the ages of 18 and 50? Have you been in a relationship with the same male partner for at least the last 4 months? If so, you may be eligible to participate in a study at Magee-Womens Hospital. This study involves 6 visits to Magee and 2 phone calls over a period of 3-4 months. Compensation provided.

Effect of Exercise and Weight Loss on Cardiovascular Health

University of Pittsburgh_PRO11030254

Are you an overweight or obese adult between the ages of 18 and 55 years old? Are you able to participate safely in moderate intensity exercise? If so, you may be eligible to participate in this study to examine the effect of diet alone or the combination of diet and exercise on weight loss and cardiovascular disease risk. The study period will last 12 months, and participants will be compensated.

Blood Pressure and the Brain Study	University of Pittsburgh_PRO09110167
Are you a healthy adult between the ages of 35 and 60? If so, you may be eligible to participate in a study to see how the brain changes with change in blood pressure. Participants cannot have low blood pressure, hypertension, heart disease or diabetes. This study involves 3 visits, one of which includes a MRI. Participants will be compensated.

Imaging of Cortical Dopamine Transmission in Alcohol Dependence – Healthy Smokers	University of Pittsburgh_PRO08070098B
Healthy smokers needed for brain imaging study. Are you a man or a woman between the ages of 18 and 40 years old? Do you smoke? If so, you may be eligible to participate in this study which involves questionnaires, interviews and brain scanning (1-MRI, 2-PET scans). Participants must be medication-free (birth control acceptable). Compensation provided.

Oral Health of Seniors	University of Pittsburgh_PRO10090217
Are you age 50 or older? If so, you may be eligible to participate in a study to discover how frequent dental problems are in older adults. Participants will receive an oral examination that includes a panoramic radiograph. Study procedures will take less than one hour to complete, and will take place at the Pitt School of Dental Medicine Clinic in Oakland.

Improving Maternal Skills for Communicating with Adolescents about Sex	University of Pittsburgh_PRO10100334
Are you a woman who has a child between the ages of 10-14 years old and do you live in Allegheny County? If so, you may be eligible to participate in a program (5 sessions, 3 hours/each) to teach mothers how to talk with their children about sex. Participants, and their children, will complete surveys and interviews. Mothers, and their child, will be compensated for participation.

Women's Stress Response Study	University of Pittsburgh_PRO08070031
Are you a healthy woman between the ages of 25 and 49 years old? Are you pre-menopausal with a regular menstrual cycle? Do you work a full-time day shift? If so, you may be eligible to participate in a study to help researchers better understand the psychological and biological effects of minor stress in the everyday life of women. Participants will be compensated.

ASPREE	University of Pittsburgh_PRO10010287
Are you age 70 or older? Are you generally healthy? If so, you may be eligible to participate in this study to help researchers determine if taking a daily low-dose aspirin can help prolong a healthy lifespan in older adults. All study-related visits and medications will be provided at no cost to participants.

Effect of Exercise on Acute Nicotine Withdrawal	University of Pittsburgh_PRO09060305
Researchers from the University of Pittsburgh are seeking men and women between the ages of 18 and 39 who smoke at least 10 cigarettes per day, and do NOT regularly exercise. The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of exercise on the effects of nicotine withdrawal. This study involves multiple overnight stays in a laboratory for 3 consecutive nights. Participants will be compensated.

3D Analysis of Normal Facial Variation	University of Pittsburgh_PRO09070163B
Are you generally healthy and between the ages of 18 and 40? If so, you may be eligible to participate in a study on the genetic basis of facial appearance. Individuals with Caucasian ancestry who have not had facial plastic/reconstructive surgery, and have no history of facial birth defects in their family are eligible to participate. Compensation is provided.