Healthy Volunteer Studies
If you would like to participate in health research as the healthy volunteer, below is a list of studies accepting healthy volunteers.
ADNI3
Lead Researcher: Anton Porsteinsson
ADNI3 is not a treatment study. It continues research that began in 2004 (ADNI1) and
will follow people over a five year period using the information collected from thinking
and memory testing, brain imaging, genetics testing, and blood and brain-spinal fluid
testing to help improve the way AD research is conducted. Approximately 1070 - 2000
participants will be enrolled at 59 sites in the US and Canada. Three groups will
be enrolled and evaluated: those with normal thinking and memory, those with mild
cognition problems, and those with mild Alzheimer's disease. The normal thinking cohort
is filled; the study is now only recruiting people with mild cognition problems (MCI)
or mild Alzheimer's disease.
View Study Details
Brain Training to Promote Health in Family Dementia Caregivers
Lead Researcher: Kathi Heffner
The purpose of the study is to determine whether two types of in-home “brain-training”
programs may have beneficial health effects, including reduced stress and improved
immune health, for individuals caring for a loved one (spouse, parent, friend, etc)
who has dementia.
Participation involves completing one of our brain training programs with the use
of a computer at home a few times a week (when convenient for you), over eight weeks.
Experience or skill with computers is not necessary. If you do not own a computer,
one may be provided for you to use during the program period.
View Study Details
Breast Cancer: HOMING Study: Harvest of Circulating Tumor Cells (CTCs) from Patients
with Metastatic Breast Cancer (MBC) using the Parsortix PC1 System
Lead Researcher: Richard Moore
If you participate in this study, you will be asked to allow the study doctor to draw
3 tubes of blood (up to a total of 23mL or 1 1/2 tablespoons of your blood) for the
evaluation of the presence or absence of CTCs and their characterization as well as
to collect information about your health.
View Study Details
Development of allergies in babies
Lead Researcher: Kirsi Jarvinen-seppo
The purpose of this study is to determine the impact of breast milk immune factors
on allergy risk. The immune system protects us from getting diseases, working throughout
the body, including secretions such as saliva and breast milk and in the normal bacteria
in the stomach and intestines. A baby's immune system develops over time and maybe
impacted by the breast milk they consume. By comparing saliva, breast milk (if applicable)and
stool, we can study differences among a group of infants at higher risk of developing
allergies.
View Study Details
Effects of Chemotherapy on Cognitive Function in Breast Cancer Patients and Non-Cancer
Control Participants With an Optional Sub-Study: Research Brain MRI
Lead Researcher: Michelle Janelsins-Benton
Study is enrolling newly diagnosed breast cancer patients about to start chemotherapy
and
age-matched control participants. The investigator is trying to better understand
the
prevalence of cognitive difficulties in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy compared
to
the general population as well as what biological mechanisms may play a role in the
development of these difficulties. Patients will be asked to complete six assessments
over
the course of approximately 5 months. Assessments 1,3, 4.5 and 5 include computerized
and
paper and pencil cognitive testing as well as blood draws. Assessments 2 and 4 only
involve
the collection of a blood sample. An optional sub study is offered after Assessment
1. It
involves a research brain MRI at Assessment 4.5 and cognitive testing and another
research
brain MRI at Assessment 6.
View Study Details
Evaluation of age, flu exposure, and vaccination for flu on the memory (B cell) cells
of the human immune system.
Lead Researcher: Angela Branche
This study is looking at different effects of flu and vaccination upon the B cells.
View Study Details
Exercise Intervention for LGBT Cancer Survivors
Lead Researcher: Nicole Murray
The purpose of this study is to test preliminary efficacy, as well as acceptability
and
feasibility, of a dyadic exercise intervention, the current study will randomize LGBT
cancer
survivors and their non-professional caregivers as dyads to either an individual or
a dyadic
Exercise for Cancer Patients (EXCAP) intervention. The primary outcome assessed will
be
psychological distress. Analyses will involve pre-post comparisons of outcomes across
the
study arms, testing the hypothesis that a 6 week, daily, dyadic exercise intervention
will
result in greater improvements in psychological distress than an individual intervention.
View Study Details
Hearing Study: Sensitivity to Features of Speech Sounds
Lead Researcher: Laurel Carney
The purpose of this study is to better understand the sensitivity of listeners to
the fast changes in frequency or amplitude of sounds that occur in speech. The investigators
are studying ways to manipulate these aspects of sounds in an effort to make speech
sounds more clear.
We are recruiting listeners age 18 to 80, with either normal hearing or hearing loss.
Listeners with hearing loss must similar hearing loss in both ears that is sensorineural
in nature and mild or moderate in severity. All listeners will have their hearing
tested at the beginning of the study.
View Study Details
Improving Well-Being for Older Adult Family Dementia Caregivers
Lead Researcher: Kathi Heffner
The purpose of the study is to examine the effects of the Mindfulness-Based Stress
Reduction (MBSR) program and the Living Well (LW) for Dementia Caregivers program,
compared to any usual care, to see if the programs might be associated with better
immune function, physical and emotional health, and well-being.
This study is looking for individuals age 55 and up who are caring for a loved one
(such as a spouse, parent, close friend) who has dementia. Participation includes
attending a weekly small group meeting over eight weeks for one of two study programs
(determined randomly). Both programs address ways of improving physical and emotional
well-being in the context of dementia caregiving. These 8-week programs typically
begin in late August at Monroe Community Hospital.
View Study Details
NIR Fluorescence Imaging of Lymphatic Transport Using ICG
Lead Researcher: Christopher Ritchlin
Healthy volunteers and patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) in the developmental
arm will have a minimum of two study visits to determine the optimal conditions for
visualizing lymphatic transport in the upper extremities. Concentrations of 0.1 mg/ml
of Indocyanine Green (ICG) will be injected intradermally into the web spaces of the
hands in both upper extremities. Multispectral video and still images will be recorded
using the MultiSpectral Imaging System (MSImager). An ultrasound of the upper extremities
may be performed after the ICG fluorescence is observed. The exam will help identify
the location of the lymphatic vessels and nodes in the areas fluoresced.
View Study Details
Ovarian Ultrasound for Healthy Women and Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Lead Researcher: Kathleen Hoeger
This study aims to characterize the affect of age and weight on the size and shape
of ovaries. We will compare ovary size and shape in women of varying ages and body
sizes. You are eligible if you are female, age 18-45. We plan to recruit up to 120
women with regular menstrual cycles and up to 120 women with histories of Polycystic
Ovary Syndrome. This study is being conducted in collaboration with Dr. Lujan’s lab
at Cornell University.
View Study Details
Sound Processing Changes in Babies With Opioid Exposure
Lead Researcher: Perihan Ulema
The purpose of this study is to identify problems with interpreting sounds in babies
that have been exposed to opioids prior to birth. Being able to identify these issues
in infancy may allow us to find children who may have problems with language learning
later in life so that we can try to minimize these.
View Study Details
Study of Berkeley Life Nitric Oxide on Platelets
Lead Researcher: Scott Cameron
Nitric Oxide has several protective heart benefits. But why it's protective is not
known. We will determine if the dietary supplement, Berkeley Life Nitric Oxide, affects
the function of platelets. Platelets play a negative role in heart disease. We will
determine if nitric oxide affects platelets in such a way as to reduce that negative
affect.
View Study Details
Studying Infant Nutrition and Blood Sugar in Breastfed Infants
Lead Researcher: Bridget Young
This study is for pregnant women who plan on breastfeeding their baby for at least
5 months. You and your baby will have two study visits over the first 6 months of
your baby's life at the University of Rochester Medical Center. We will ask for some
blood and some breast milk from you. We will ask for some urine and stool, and a heel
prick from your baby.
View Study Details
The Couples Sexual Health Study
Lead Researcher: Natalie Leblanc
The purpose of this study is to better understand Black Heterosexual couples' thoughts
and suggestions of an online Sexual Health HIV Prevention Toolkit that has been originally
designed for male couples to use together The toolkit is to guide couples to think
about their relationship, their relationship goals and their sexual health in order
to reduce being exposed to sexually transmitted infections including HIV, and create
a plan for optimal sexual health.
The toolkit is to also help guide couples to come to an agreement of their sexual
and relationship goals.
We are very interested in finding out whether an online sexual health toolkit that
has been found to be acceptable to gay male couples would be accepted by Black heterosexual
couples.
View Study Details
The LGBTQI parental experience with newborn nutrition
Lead Researcher: Rita Dadiz
Eligible participants include parents of a newborn child born within the past 1 year
from time of recruitment. Parents must have identified as LGBTQI during the birthing
and initial newborn hospitalization period. Adopted parents are eligible if they were
involved in the birthing process. Parents must be at least 18 years old.
The study includes two brief surveys which can be done online or on paper and a 60-90
minute interview done either in person or through video conferencing.
View Study Details