UAB - Center for Clinical and Translational Science

The purpose of this study is to find out what causes kidney disease in people with CF. The investigators will study biomarkers in the blood and urine that can either predict who is at risk or detect kidney damage early before it becomes permanent. The study will compare these markers in people with CF over time and during the treatment of lung flare-ups. It will also compare the blood and urine samples obtained from people without CF. The comparison aims to better understand the impact of cystic fibrosis and its treatment on the kidneys, as well as to develop improved methods for preventing, diagnosing, and treating kidney issues associated with CF.

Type: Observational

Start Date: Jan 2025

open study

Opioid use disorder (OUD) is a treatable medical illness with three medications FDA approved for treatment. However, persons with OUD report significant sleep disturbance, even when treated with medications for opioid use disorder, leading to high rates of relapse. In this project, we will investigate a special set of photosensitive neurons in the retina as an underlying mechanism for circadian rhythm and sleep disturbance from opioid use and medications for OUD that could lead to novel intervention and improve treatment outcomes.

Type: Observational

Start Date: Jan 2025

open study

266 family caregivers will be randomly assigned to either immediate intervention or delayed intervention groups. All caregivers will complete baseline surveys and 3 weeks of daily diaries. The immediate intervention group will receive 12 weeks of CuRB-IT. They will complete 3 rounds of 3-week daily diaries followed by an intermittent survey at 12 week intervals for the next 33 weeks. The delayed intervention group will receive 12 weeks of attention, complete 1 round of 3-week daily diaries followed by an intermittent survey, then complete 12 weeks of CuRB-IT, and complete 2 rounds of 3--week daily diaries followed by an intermittent survey at 12-week intervals for the next 18 weeks.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Apr 2023

open study

The purpose of this study is to investigate the brain activity associated with motor and non-motor symptoms of movement disorders, including Parkinson's disease (PD) and essential tremor. These movement disorders commonly have significant non-motor features, such as depression, cognitive and memory impairment, decreased attention, speech and language disturbances, and slower processing speeds. The investigators are interested in the brain activity associated with these motor and non-motor symptoms, and propose to investigate changes in brain activity while the investigators perform recordings of the surface and deep structures of the brain, in addition to the typical recordings the investigators perform, during routine deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Sep 2019

open study

The goal of the DISCOVERY study is to provide innovative critical information regarding the unique natural history of glycemic control, insulin sensitivity, and β-cell function, and their mechanistic determinates, in obese adolescents at risk for developing type 2 diabetes.

Type: Observational

Start Date: Oct 2024

open study

800 adult first time kidney transplant recipients will be enrolled in the Observational Study and followed to evaluate their Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA)-DR/DQ molecular mismatch (mMM) score as a risk-stratifying prognostic biomarker. Six months after transplant the study will identify those who meet the eligibility criteria for the Nested Randomized Control Trial (RCT). 300 eligible subjects will be randomized 2:1 to abatacept or Standard of care (SOC) in the randomization and followed for 18 months monitoring for safety and improvement in renal function, neurocognitive function, and a life participation patient reported outcome measure (PROM). The primary objective of the Observational Study is to test the validity of the HLA-DR/DQ mMM score as a prognostic biomarker for stratification of post-transplant alloimmune risk. Whereas the objective of the Nested RCT is to test whether a superior outcome in kidney function (primary endpoint), as well as secondary endpoints (neurocognitive function, and life participation PROM), will be achieved in patients who are transitioned from Tacrolimus (TAC) to abatacept, while maintaining efficacy (freedom from biopsy proven acute rejection).

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Dec 2023

open study

The Investigators have recently published on differences in pain sensitivity measures between cis and trans individuals in the local area. The investigators observed the anticipated differences in pain sensitivity between CM and CW (CW > CM), but found that the TW were phenotypically similar to CW in all measures. However, the investigators did not assess hormone level, nor did the investigators recruit TM participants. Here, with the assistance of two local community group stakeholders the investigators will recruit the following groups: CM, CW, TM+T (currently taking exogenous testosterone), TW+E (exogenous estradiol), TM, and TW (n=20/group). The investigators will use quantitative sensory testing to assess sensitivity to cold, pressure, and heat via standardized protocols. Blood samples will be taken for assessment of stress and reproductive hormone levels, immune cell populations and stimulated cytokine release. Finally, questionnaires will measure pain state, quality of life (QOL), voice QOL, body image, appearance, self-reported health, masculinity/femininity, community connectedness, gender role, sleep, depression, social support, adverse childhood experiences and stigma.

Type: Observational

Start Date: Mar 2023

open study

The study proposes to complete the development of and then establish the safety, efficacy, and clinical risk/benefit of a novel hospital incubator pad with stochastic vibrotactile stimulation (SVS) that will provide a complementary treatment and the first improvement in the clinical management of apnea of prematurity (AOP) in over 20 years. Currently, the only approved therapy for AOP is Caffeine Citrate. The SVS mattress pad can prove to be an effective, non-invasive adjunct to Caffeine Citrate for preterm infants with potential to shorten the need for respiratory support as well as overall shortened length of stay.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Feb 2025

open study

The primary objectives of Cohort A Phase 1b are to evaluate the safety and tolerability of TTI-101 orally administered as a single agent to participants with locally advanced or metastatic, and unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) and to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and/or recommended Phase 2 dose (RP2D) of TTI-101 as a single agent. The primary objectives of Cohort A Phase 2 are to evaluate the safety and tolerability of TTI-101 orally administered as a single agent at the RP2D to participants with locally advanced or metastatic, and unresectable HCC and to assess the preliminary efficacy of TTI-101 as a single agent in participants with locally advanced or metastatic, and unresectable HCC. The secondary objectives of Cohort A Phase 2 are to assess response, progression, survival, and pharmacokinetics. The primary objectives of Cohorts B and C Phase 1b are to evaluate the safety and tolerability of TTI-101 orally administered in combination with pembrolizumab therapy (Cohort B) and in combination with atezolizumab and bevacizumab therapy (Cohort C) to participants with locally advanced or metastatic, or unresectable HCC and to determine the MTD and/or RP2D of TTI-101 when used in combination with pembrolizumab therapy (Cohort B) and in combination with atezolizumab and bevacizumab therapy (Cohort C). The primary objectives of Cohorts B and C Phase 2 are to evaluate the safety and tolerability of TTI-101 orally administered in combination with pembrolizumab therapy (Cohort B) and in combination with atezolizumab and bevacizumab therapy (Cohort C) at the RP2D to participants with locally advanced or metastatic, and unresectable HCC and to assess the preliminary efficacy of TTI-101 in combination with pembrolizumab therapy (Cohort B) and in combination with atezolizumab and bevacizumab therapy (Cohort C) to participants with locally advanced or metastatic, and unresectable HCC. The secondary objectives of Cohorts B and C Phase 2 are to assess response, progression, survival, and pharmacokinetics.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Mar 2023

open study

Randomized Controlled Trial (RTC) testing the efficacy of a telehealth adaptation of the Cognitive-Remediation of Executive and Adaptive Deficits in Youth (C-READY) intervention to prepare adolescents with sickle cell disease for transition of care.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jul 2022

open study

The primary purpose of this study is to preliminarily estimate the efficacy of psilocybin-facilitated treatment for fibromyalgia. Investigators will assess the impact of psilocybin-facilitated treatment on pain, fatigue, and other fibromyalgia symptoms, in addition to the level of functioning and quality of life. Investigators will also evaluate potential mediators of treatment (e.g., treatment expectations, pain characteristics, personality, beliefs/cognitions, emotions). Investigators hypothesize psilocybin treatment will significantly reduce symptom severity in fibromyalgia patients.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Nov 2023

open study

Acute stroke systems of care should emulate trauma systems which deliver the full range of care to all injured patients by means of organized, coordinated efforts in defined geographic areas. Just as trauma systems have proven ability to save lives of the most severely injured patients, clinicians should have a stroke system able to provide care to patients with the most severe strokes. The most severe type of acute ischemic stroke is due to proximal large vessel occlusion (LVO). Mechanical thrombectomy (MT) offers an extraordinary potential to improve the outcome of patients with LVO. Unfortunately, in part because MT is available only at advanced stroke centers, only a minority of patients with LVO are treated with MT, and there are racial, socioeconomic, and rural disparities in access to MT. Based on the success of trauma systems and our prior collaboration, the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) is planning a five-year statewide quality improvement initiative of trauma communications center (TCC) coordinated severity-based stroke triage (SBST) which aims to transform the fragmented acute stroke care system by coordinating prehospital and inter-facility emergency stroke care.

Type: Observational

Start Date: Apr 2022

open study

The purpose of this study is to collect preliminary data on the feasibility, acceptability, and potential effects of a novel, remotely delivered resistance training program.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jun 2025

open study

The purpose of this research study is to assess whether the presence of therapy dogs can reduce pain and anxiety in children ages 3 to 10 having pins removed from their elbow.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Oct 2024

open study

The goal of the Tiny Baby Collaborative Multicenter Inventory of Neonatal-Perinatal Interventions (MINI) minimum dataset is to serve as a registry detailing the outcomes and practices for all deliveries and infants admitted to intensive care at 22-23 weeks' gestation at participating hospitals.

Type: Observational [Patient Registry]

Start Date: Jan 2019

open study

Obstetric anal sphincter injuries (OASIS) cause significant morbidity and are well known risk factors for sexual dysfunction, urinary and anal incontinence. Postpartum and breastfeeding are relative hypoestrogenic states with risk factors for dyspareunia and vaginal atrophy. Estrogen deficiency results in changes in the vaginal epithelium and poor tissue quality which results in poor wound healing. For postmenopausal women with vaginal atrophy undergoing surgery for pelvic organ prolapse, early administration of topical vaginal E2 therapy resulted in improved markers of tissue quality. Currently, there are limited studies to reference for proposed treatment modalities to improve sexual function and incontinence in this population. In this proposed randomized, placebo-controlled trial, women who sustain OASIS will be recruited and randomized to begin intravaginal estrogen therapy or placebo at their 2-week follow-up visit after hospital discharge. Participants will complete validated questionnaires relating to sexual function and pelvic floor disorders (urinary and anal incontinence) symptom distress and impact. The primary outcome of this study will be sexual dysfunction symptom severity measured by the female sexual function index (FSFI) at 6 months postpartum. Secondary outcomes will be urinary and anal incontinence distress and impact measured by St. Mark's score and the fecal incontinence quality of life (FIQOL) questionnaire for anal incontinence and urogenital distress inventory (UDI-6) for urinary incontinence. The objective of this study is to determine if intra-vaginal estrogen therapy improves sexual function and incontinence symptom distress and impact for postpartum women after OASIS.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jul 2022

open study

BLAAC PD is a research study to understand what Parkinson's disease looks like for Black and African American communities. BLAAC PD is happening at research centers around the United States. The study is part of the Global Parkinson's Genetics Program (GP2). GP2 is a research project working to transform understanding of the genetics of Parkinson's disease and make that knowledge globally relevant.

Type: Observational

Start Date: Nov 2020

open study

The primary objective of this study is to measure the concentration and the regional brain distribution of activated brain microglia/macrophages using the PET radiopharmaceutical [F-18]DPA-714 in individuals with chronic pain and fatigue suspected to be associated with neuroinflammation. The PET tracer [F-18]DPA-714 binds to the 18 kDa translocator protein (TSPO, also known as the peripheral benzodiazepine receptor) in the mitochondria of activated microglia/macrophages and provides a non-invasive measure of neuroinflammation. The primary objective of this study is to determine if pain and fatigue patients have higher levels of neuroinflammation than HC individuals as measured with [F-18]DPA-714-PET/MRI.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Feb 2019

open study

Over 1,900 mutations in the gene for the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein are implicated in causing Cystic Fibrosis (CF). Potential therapies that directly target defective CFTR are being evaluated in important clinical trials, but most target the most common CFTR mutation F508del. Many patients with rare CF mutations are not able to participate in those studies. The RARE study is specifically designed for people with CF caused by rare mutations. Eligible rare mutations are listed below: • CF patients who are heterozygous for pre-mature stop codons as noted below: i. one allele must be a F508del ii. the other allele must be a pre-mature stop codon mutation • CF Patients with other genotypes that require Study PI permission: i. CF patients with two mutations that are not eligible for Trikafta ii. CF patients homozygous or heterozygous (other allele must be F508del) for rare mutations of special interest (e.g., 711+3A->G, 2789+5G->A, 3272-26A->G, 3849+10kbC->T). Other rare mutations will be considered on a case by case basis This is a multi-site, specimen collection study. Investigators will collect blood, intestinal cells and nasal cells from each participant. Cells from these specimens will be used to test future CFTR modulators to see if they might work for people with study eligible rare mutations. Having cells to test in the lab is an important first step in identifying potential new therapies for people with these mutations.

Type: Observational

Start Date: Oct 2017

open study

The purpose of this study is to create a registry to provide insight into treatment selection and treatment outcome of pancreatic IRE in order to develop an evidence base such that physicians can provide the best possible care to patients with pancreatic cancer requiring surgical interventions. The investigators seek a better understanding of the uses of ablation in the treatment of unresectable soft tissue pancreatic tumors and the limitations, concerns and complications that earlier users have.

Type: Observational [Patient Registry]

Start Date: Jan 2016

open study

Dose Escalation - Determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD), if possible, or minimum optimal biologic dose (OBD), and evaluate the safety and tolerability of VIP943 in subjects with advanced CD123+ hematologic malignancies

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Sep 2023

open study

This study is a Phase 3 multi-site, randomized, evaluator-masked, study of endurance treadmill exercise on changes in the Movement Disorder Society-Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS) Part III score at 12 months among persons with early stage Parkinson disease. 370 participants will be randomly assigned to 2 groups: 1)60-65% HRmax or 2)80-85% HRmax 4 times per week. The primary objective is to test whether the progression of the signs of Parkinson's disease is attenuated at 12 months in among persons who have not initiated medication for Parkinson Disease (PD) when they perform high-intensity endurance treadmill exercise.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Aug 2021

open study

This is an Investigator initiated retrospective and prospective single cohort study. The study will utilize an international registry and develop a specimen biobank to provide an improved understanding of the natural history of hyposplasminogenemia, to elucidate the heterogeneity of phenotypic expression, identify markers to predict disease course, and inform improved therapeutic modalities

Type: Observational

Start Date: Dec 2018

open study

The purpose of this study is to look at pulmonary exacerbations in people with cystic fibrosis (CF) that need to be treated with antibiotics given through a tube inserted into a vein (intravenous or IV). A pulmonary exacerbation is a worsening of respiratory symptoms in people with CF that needs medical intervention. Both doctors and CF patients are trying to understand the best way to treat pulmonary exacerbations. This study is trying to answer the following questions about treating a pulmonary exacerbation: - Do participants have the same improvement in lung function and symptoms if they are treated with one type of antibiotic (called beta-lactams or β-lactams) versus taking two different types of antibiotics (tobramycin and β-lactams)? - Is taking one type of antibiotic just as good as taking two types?

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Apr 2023

open study

The Investigators will study a device for men in urinary retention secondary to Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia, BPH ,who are catheter dependent or who have a Post Void Residual > 350cc. The hypothesis is that the device will allow these participants to return to volitional voiding with a Post Void Residual <75 cc.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Aug 2022

open study