Background: The way the brain processes rewards and punishments may play a role in some disorders of the nervous system. People with chronic overlapping pain conditions (such as myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome [ME/CFS]) may have heightened responses to unpleasant, punishing sensations. Some of these conditions may also cause heightened responses to effort; this is an unpleasant sensation felt during physical and mental exertion. Objective: To learn more about how the brain processes different unpleasant sensations. Eligibility: People aged 18 to 50 years with ME/CFS. Healthy volunteers are also needed. Design: Participants will have 3 visits in 1 to 5 weeks. Visit 1: Participants may have a neurologic exam. They will have a mock magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. They will lie on a bed in a wooden tube while they practice 2 tasks: Thermal pain rating: A device that creates mild to moderate heat will be placed on one leg. Physical effort rating: Participants will squeeze a plastic bar with different levels of force. Visit 2: Participants will have a real MRI scan. They will lie on a table that slides into a large tube. Visit 3: Participants will have another MRI scan. They will repeat the thermal pain and physical effort tasks while in the scanner. Sensors will be placed on 1 arm to measure how the muscles function as they squeeze the bar. Their heart rate will be tested: They will hold their finger against a camera lens for 1 minute. They will do 2 other tasks: 1 requires repeatedly pressing a key on a keyboard, and the other requires squeezing a bar.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Apr 2025

open study

Background: In a previous study, participants were lived at the NIH and randomly received either a low-fat or a low-carbohydrate diet for 2 weeks and then switched to the other diet for 2 more weeks. Participants who received the low-carbohydrate diet first lost more body fat at the end of the study than those who received the low-fat diet first. Researchers want to see if they can repeat that result in a longer weight loss study when participants live at home. Objective: To test the effects of diet order in people receiving either a low-fat or low-carbohydrate diet first for 4 weeks and then immediately switched to the other diet for another 4 weeks. Eligibility: Adults aged 19 to 50 years with a body mass index of 25 or more. Design: Participants will complete the study at their homes, but there will be 3 required visits to the NIH. Participants will drink a special type of water 2 weeks before the baseline NIH visit and collect urine samples at home to measure how many calories they burn. Before the diets begin, participants will visit the NIH for baseline testing when they will have a metabolism test while relaxing in a bed with a plastic hood over their head to collect the air they breathe out. They will have scans to measure their bone density and how much muscle and body fat they have. They will give stool, blood, and urine samples. Participants will be asked to eat a specific diet for 4 weeks followed by a different diet for 4 weeks. All meals will be delivered to the participants' homes. They will eat only the foods delivered. Participants will weigh themselves daily. They will wear a monitor to track their physical activity and a sensor to measure their glucose levels. They will prick their finger each morning to test a drop of blood for ketones. Participants will meet virtually as a group with the study team weekly. Participants will have two more NIH visits towards the end of each diet period....

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Aug 2024

open study

Background: Time restricted eating (TRE) is a form of fasting in which a person eats only during a set window of time, which is usually between 4 and 10 hours each day. Researchers want to know more about how TRE may affect health. Objective: To learn how TRE affects women with different body sizes. Eligibility: Healthy women aged 18 to 50 years. Design: Participants will have 2 visits: 1 screening visit and one 5-day stay in the clinic. Participants will fast before both visits. They will have a physical exam with blood tests. They will talk to a nutritionist about the foods they eat. They will lay under a clear hood for up to 45 minutes during a test that measures how many calories they burn while resting. Participants will keep a food diary for up to 7 days before their clinic stay. They will apply a continuous glucose monitor the day before they go to the clinic. This is a device that attaches to the skin of the stomach. They will wear this device throughout their clinic stay. All meals will be provided during the clinic stay. Participants will follow TRE on 3 days. They will answer survey questions and have tests during their stay, including: - DXA (dual energy X-ray absorptiometry) scan. Participants will lie on a padded table. Their body will be scanned to measure how much muscle, bone, fat, and other tissues they have. - Stable isotope tracer study. Small amounts of sugar and other substances will be given through a tube attached to a needle inserted into a vein in the arm. Blood samples will be collected.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Sep 2024

open study

Background: People with intellectual disability (ID) often have physical disabilities as well. These physical problems can affect their bones, muscles, nerves, and gastrointestinal tracts. All of these issues can also cause pain. Yet little research has been done on pain in people with ID. Objective: To compare brain responses to unpleasant stimuli in people with and without ID. Eligibility: People aged 8 to 30 years diagnosed with an ID. Healthy volunteers without an ID are also needed. Design: The study requires only 1 visit of up to 4 hours. Participants with ID may come for up to 5 shorter visits instead. Participants will take a test to measure their level of ID. They will have a physical exam. Both groups will answer questions about pain and how their bodies react to it. They will answer questions about how they respond to things they see, feel, hear, smell, and taste. They will answer questions about their social behaviors. Caregivers may answer questions if the participant cannot. Both groups will have a test to measure their brain activity. Participants will wear a special cap, like a swim cap, with sensors and wires. Sensors to examine the heart will be placed on the skin of their chest with stickers. An elastic band will be placed around the middle of their body to measure how fast they are breathing. Sensors to measure sweat will be placed on two fingers. Participants will have heat, cold, brushing, and mild electrical stimuli to different parts of their body. Participants will rank how each stimulus feels using a scale with numbers or a scale with faces.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Mar 2026

open study

Background: Lipodystrophy (LD) syndromes are a group of rare disorders that affect how a person s body can store and use fat tissue. Many people with LDs become severely insulin resistant. Some people are insulin resistant because of a variant in the insulin receptor gene. Insulin resistance causes many health problems. Objective: To learn if blocking the effects of growth hormone in the body will help people with severe insulin resistance. Eligibility: Adults aged 18 to 65 years with either a known variant in the insulin receptor gene or with a diagnosis of partial LD. Design: Participants will have 2 hospital stays, about 1 month apart. Each stay will be 3 or 4 nights. During each hospital stay, participants will have many tests. They will have a physical exam with blood tests. They will have all of their urine collected for a 24-hour period. They will have scans to measure their muscle, bone, and fat tissues. They will have tests to measure metabolism and insulin sensitivity. They may have an optional biopsy of fat tissue. During the first hospital visit, participants will learn how to give themselves shots of a drug (pegvisomant) that blocks growth hormone. The drug is injected under the skin. Participants will continue to give themselves these shots once a day at home. After the first hospital visit, participants will talk on the phone with members of the study team once each week. After 2 weeks they will have blood drawn for tests. Participants will stop the shots after the second hospital visit.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jan 2023

open study

Background: ABCA4 retinopathy is a genetic disease in which the ABCA4 protein is absent or faulty. It can cause waste material to collect in the eye and may cause cells to die. The cell death can lead to vision loss. Researchers want to see if an oral drug called metformin can help. Objective: To see if metformin is safe and possibly helps to slow the rate of ABCA4 retinopathy. Eligibility: People age 12 and older who have ABCA4 retinopathy and have problems with their vision. Design: Participants will be screened under a separate protocol. Participants will have a medical and family history. They will complete a questionnaire about their vision and daily activities. They will have a physical exam. They may have blood drawn through a needle in the arm. Participants will have an eye exam. Their pupils may be dilated with eye drops. Their retina may be photographed. Participants will have a visual field test. They will sit in front of a large dome and press a button when they see a light within the dome. Participants will have an electroretinogram. It examines the function of the retina. They will sit in the dark for 30 minutes. Then their eyes will be numbed with eye drops. They will wear contact lenses that can sense signals from the retinas. They will watch flashing lights. Participants will have optical coherence tomography. This non-invasive procedure makes pictures of the retina. Participants will have fundus autofluorescence. A bright blue light will be shone into their eye. Participants will take metformin by mouth for 24 months. Participants will have study visits every 6 months. Participation will last for at least 36 months....

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Nov 2020

open study

Background: There are many endocrine and metabolic-related conditions. Two well-known disorders include diabetes and thyroid disease. Some of these diseases are caused by a change in genes. Researchers want to identify the genes involved in these disorders. They hope this will help them learn more about these diseases. Objectives: To learn more about conditions that affect the hormone-secreting glands (endocrine glands) in adults. To train doctors to diagnose and treat people with endocrine or metabolic conditions. Eligibility: Adults age 18 years and older with a known or suspected endocrine disorder. Relatives ages 18 years and older. Doctors will review all requests and available medical records to determine final eligibility for the protocol. Design: Participants will have a medical history and physical exam. Most participants will have 1 visit, and may have follow up visits if necessary. They may have tests, surgery, or other procedures to help diagnose or treat their condition. These could include: - Blood, urine, and saliva tests - Imaging tests. These may include X-ray, ultrasound, or scans. - Sleep study - Medical photographs - Visits with other specialists at NIH Participants will provide blood, urine, saliva, or tissue samples. Some of these samples may be stored in the freezer for future studies. Participants may be asked to participate in genetic testing. They will give a blood or saliva sample for this.

Type: Observational

Start Date: Jul 2016

open study

Background: - During puberty, children begin to develop into adults. Problems with the hormones released during puberty can affect the reproductive system. Some people have low hormone levels that severely delay or prevent puberty. Others start puberty abnormally early. Other people may have a normal puberty but develop reproductive disorders later in life. Researchers want to study people with reproductive disorders to learn more about how these disorders may be inherited. Objectives: - To learn how reproductive system disorders may be inherited. Eligibility: - People with one of the following problems: - Abnormally early puberty - Abnormally late or no puberty - Normal puberty with hormonal problems that develop later in life - People who have not yet had puberty but have symptoms that indicate low hormone levels. Design: - Participants will provide a blood sample for testing. They will complete a questionnaire about their symptoms. They will also have a scratch-and-sniff test to study any problems with their ability to smell. - Participant medical records will be reviewed. Participants will also provide a family medical history. - Family members of those in the study may be invited to participate. - Treatment will not be provided as part of this study.

Type: Observational

Start Date: Apr 2012

open study

This study will collect representative blood samples from healthy children and adults and from children and adults who have unique red blood cell features that are related to sickle cell disease. Sickle cell disease is a blood disease that limits the ability of red blood cells to carry oxygen throughout the body. The purpose of the study is to collect a variety of blood samples that may then be used to investigate advances and potential new drug treatments for sickle cell disease. Volunteers must be at least 18 years of old. Samples will be taken both from healthy volunteers and from volunteers who have unique red blood cell features that are related to sickle cell disease. Candidates will be screened with a medical history. During the study, participants will undergo a one- to two-hour outpatient procedure at the National Institutes of Health Clinical Center. Once researchers have explained the study and obtained the participant s consent, participants will donate 8 cc (approximately 2 teaspoons) of blood. Because repeat testing helps researchers validate study findings, participants who have the unique red blood cell features mentioned above may also be asked if they are willing to return and donate another 2 cc to 8 cc of blood for additional studies. The amount of blood drawn will not exceed 50 ml with any eight-week period for adults or 7 cc within any six-week period for children.

Type: Observational

Start Date: Nov 2007

open study

It is unknown if obesity contributes to the development of heart disease in African American men and women. This study was created to determine whether there is a relationship between sex and body size and the incidence of heart disease in African American men and women. Researchers will attempt to associate obesity with the presence of heart disease risk factors. Risk factors that will be studied include; total body fat, body fat distribution, fat content of the blood (triglyceride concentration, low density lipoproteins [LDL], and high density lipoproteins [HDL]), how fast fat is removed from the blood, and how well insulin works in the body. Scientific studies have shown that obesity and increased levels of fat content in the blood are important risk factors for heart disease in Caucasian women. However, similar studies in African American women have failed to show the same correlation. In fact, it appears that African American women in all three body weight groupings, nonobese, overweight, and obese experience high death rates due to heart disease. In addition, prior research has shown that obese African American men tend to have elevated levels of fat in the blood while African American women have normal blood fat levels. Therefore, if high levels of triglycerides (fat found in the blood) are not seen in non-diabetic obese African American women, it cannot be considered a risk factor in this population. This suggests that studies conducted on Caucasian women may not provide insight into heart disease risk factors in African American women. The study will take 2000 healthy non-diabetic African American men and women (ages 18-70) and body mass index 3 subgroups; nonobese, overweight and obese. Diabetes undeniably increases the risk of heart disease. Therefore patients suffering from diabetes will not be included in the study. Candidates for the study will undergo a series of tests and examinations over 2 outpatient visits. Subjects will have body fat analyses, resting energy expenditure measurements, an EKG (electrocardiogram), and specific blood tests. Researchers believe this study will provide significant insight into the causes of obesity and heart disease in African Americans....

Type: Observational

Start Date: Oct 1998

open study

Background: Hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES) is a blood disorder that causes high levels of white blood cells called eosinophils. HES can damage the lungs and airways, intestines, skin, and other organs. The current primary treatment for HES can cause serious side effects. Secondary treatments do not work in all people. Objective: To test an approved drug (dupilumab), combined with other drugs, in people with HES. Eligibility: People aged 18 years and older who take drugs (mepolizumab, reslizumab, or benralizumab) to treat HES. Design: Participants will have up to 6 clinic visits and 7 remote visits in up to 48 weeks. Participants will be screened. They will have blood and urine tests. They will have a test of their heart function. They will take surveys about how HES affects their daily life. Some participants may have a bone marrow biopsy: A sample of tissue and fluid from inside a bone will be removed with a large needle. Participants will have other tests specific to their symptoms. For example, those with symptoms affecting their lungs will have breathing tests. Others may have tests that target symptoms in their sinuses, gastrointestinal tract, or skin. Dupilumab is injected under the skin once every 1 or 2 weeks. Dose and timing will vary among participants. They will be taught how to inject themselves at home between clinic visits. They will take dupilumab plus their current medications for 24 weeks. If the drug is helping them, they will continue taking it for another 24 weeks. Participants will have a final visit 12 weeks after their last dose.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Feb 2025

open study

Background: - KSHV inflammatory cytokine syndrome (KICS) is a newly recognized disease caused by Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV). This virus can cause cancer. People with KICS can have severe symptoms. They include fever, weight loss, and fluid in the legs or abdomen. People with KICS may also be at risk of getting other cancers associated with KSHV. These cancers include Kaposi sarcoma and lymphoma. Because KICS is a newly identified disease, more information is needed on how the disease works and what can be done to treat it. Objectives: - To collect genetic and medical information from people with KSHV inflammatory cytokine syndrome. Eligibility: - Individuals at least 18 years of age who have Kaposi sarcoma herpes virus and symptoms that resemble those caused by KICS. Design: - Participants will have regular study visits. The schedule will be determined by the study researchers. - Participants will provide a complete medical history and have a full physical exam. Blood and urine samples will be collected as well. - People with KICS that requires treatment may get new experimental treatments. These treatments may include antiviral drugs and chemotherapy drugs, depending on the nature of the disease. - Participants will have imaging studies, such as chest x-rays and computed tomography scans, to study the tumors. - Bone marrow and lymph node biopsies may be done to collect tissue samples for study. - Participants who have Kaposi sarcoma will have photographs taken of their lesions.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Sep 2011

open study

Background: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a type of blood cancer. Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) therapy involves taking immune cells (T cells) from a person and modifying them to better target cancer cells. CAR T-cell therapy that targets a marker called CD19 has been show to can cure ALL in many children and adults. But in about 50% of patients, the ALL comes back within a year. Researchers want to find out if a second treatment with CAR T-cell therapy that targets a different marker, CD22, can keep the cancer away longer. Objective: To see if CD22 CAR T-cell therapy can keep ALL away longer. Eligibility: People aged 3 to 65 years who have no signs of cancer after CD19 CAR T-cell treatment for ALL. Design: Participants will be screened. They will have imaging scans and tests of their heart function. A sample of tissue (biopsy) will be collected from their bone marrow. They will have a fluid sample collected from the area around their spinal cord. Participants will undergo collection of their white blood cells (T cells) during a procedure called leukapheresis. Blood will be taken from their body through a vein. The blood will pass through a machine that separates out the T cells. The remaining blood will be returned to the body through a different vein. The cells will be altered in a lab to create CD22 CAR T-cell therapy. Participants will take drugs over 4 consecutive days to prepare their body for the CAR T-cell therapy; then they will receive their modified T cells through a tube inserted into a vein. Some people may need to stay in the hospital during treatment. Participants will have follow-up visits for 2 years.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jun 2026

open study

Background: Kaposi sarcoma (KS) is a cancer that causes abnormal tissue to grow in the skin, lymph nodes, and other organs. KS is caused by a virus known as Kaposi sarcoma herpesvirus. People infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) account for 80% of KS cases in the United States. Having HIV can weaken the immune system and this can lead to KS. Weaker immune systems may be measured by low T cells (a type of immune cell). CYT107 is a human protein, made in a laboratory, that may help boost immunity, specifically by increasing T cells, in people with HIV-associated KS. Objective: To see if CYT107 can shrink KS tumors. Eligibility: People aged 18 years and older with HIV-associated KS. Design: Participants will be screened. They will have a physical exam with blood tests. Their skin lesions will be measured. They will have an x-ray of their lungs. Their ability to perform everyday tasks will be reviewed. A sample of lesion tissue (biopsy) may be collected from the skin. CYT107 is injected into the muscle of the arm, buttocks, or lower thigh once a week for up to 4 weeks. Participants will receive the shots at the clinic. Blood and other tests will be repeated at each visit. KS lesions will be measured and photographed on the 1st and 4th visits. Participants who improved after the first 4 weeks may have another 4-week treatment within a year. Follow-up visits will continue for 3 years.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Apr 2026

open study

Background: The National Cancer Institute, part of the National Institutes of Health, has partnered with nine health care systems across the U.S. to establish the Connect for Cancer Prevention Study. While researchers have made important discoveries, there is more to learn to lower the number of people affected by cancer. By taking part in Connect, participants can help researchers learn how the way we live, our genetics, and our health history may affect cancer risk. Objective: To study and better understand the causes of cancer and to find new ways to prevent it. Eligibility: The study will include 200,000 adults who get their health care from a partner health care system, are between 30 and 70 years old at enrollment, and have never had cancer. People remain eligible to join if they have or once had non-melanoma skin cancer, or a condition that may raise cancer risk (such as ductal carcinoma in situ, or DCIS). Design: Eligible recruits can sign up for Connect online by creating an account on MyConnect using their email address or phone number. After creating an account, they will complete the informed consent process. All information shared through MyConnect is secure to protect participant privacy. After joining the study, participants will be asked to answer online health surveys a few times a year, donate samples of blood, urine, and saliva every two to three years, and safely share access to their electronic health records with Connect. In the future, participants may donate unused samples that are collected at clinical visits, like tissue, stool, or blood, and may mail in samples collected at home. Participants may also share information from personal health trackers, like wearable devices or apps. This information will help researchers study the health and behavior patterns that may affect cancer risk. It takes time to understand the causes of cancer, so Connect will go on for many years. The longer people participate, the more researchers may learn. Participants can leave the study at any time. Learn more about Connect by visiting cancer.gov/connectstudy.

Type: Observational

Start Date: Jul 2021

open study

Background: - Biomarkers are substances in people s blood and tissues. They help researchers understand diseases and signs of aging. Scientists want to do more research on biomarkers to find ways to improve quality of life in old age. Objective: - To learn more about biomarkers and their relationship to aging. Eligibility: - Adults at least 20 years old who weigh at least 110 pounds and have a body mass index below 30. They must agree that their genetic samples can be collected, studied, and stored. Design: - Participants will be screened with medical history, physical exam, EKG and blood and urine tests. - Participants will have 3-day visits. They will return every 2 years. - All visits include: - Blood and urine collection - Physical performance tests - Health questionnaires - Memory and problem-solving tests - Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Computerized Tomography (CT) scans. - Muscle metabolism/ exercise tests - Taste strips - Muscle and/or skin biopsies/ red light therapy - Retinal imaging/ eye tracking - Sleep study - ODD visits also include: - Cytapheresis - Bone marrow aspirate - EVEN visits also include: - Hyperglycemic CLAMP - Lumbar Puncture (LP) - Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM)

Type: Observational

Start Date: Mar 2015

open study

The purpose of this protocol is to allow for the careful evaluation of healthy volunteers and individuals with risk for psychiatric disorders or neurodevelopmental disorders, such as autism spectrum disorder for specific protocols at NIH.

Type: Observational

Start Date: Feb 2006

open study

Background: - The Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging (BLSA) is a clinical research program on human aging that began in 1958. Volunteers of different ages join the study when they are healthy, and have follow-up visits for life. Visits last for multiple days. Participants are evaluated for many physical elements as well as for brain function. Physical tests are given. Information on mood, personality, and social aspects of life is also collected. This program has contributed more than any other research project to our understanding of aging. Objectives: - To characterize the many aspects of the aging process and learn how people can successfully adapt to aging. Eligibility: - Healthy individuals at least 20 years old. Design: - Participants will receive a booklet and video describing the tests they will take. - During a 3-day visit at the study hospital, participants will take the following tests: - Urine will be collected for 24 hours. Blood samples will be taken. A small piece of muscle tissue may be collected by a needle. - A medical questionnaire and a physical exam will be given. - Participants hearts will be tested, including with blood pressure tests and electronic monitors. They will breathe into a tube to test their lungs. - Participants will perform several exercises, including treadmill walking. - Vision, hearing, and taste will be tested. - Bone and joint X-rays may be taken. - Imaging tests will be given, such as an MRI. - Participants will answer questions to test their mental abilities. - Participants will return for follow-up visits every few years for life. The tests listed above will be given at every visit.

Type: Observational

Start Date: Feb 2014

open study

The purpose of this study to assess the safety and efficacy of elacestrant, a selective estrogen receptor degrader (SERD) and dual biologic therapy, trastuzumab and pertuzumab, in patients with triple-positive breast cancer with and without an ESR1 mutation.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: May 2026

open study

This is a first in human (FIH), Phase 1, dose escalation and expansion study in select solid tumors. This study includes 2 parts: a Dose Escalation and Backfill portion (Part A) and a Dose Expansion portion (Part B).

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Apr 2026

open study

The purpose of this study is to develop a dedicated MRI scan of the pancreas (MRP) to better detect pancreatic cancer in people who are at a high risk for pancreatic cancer.

Type: Observational

Start Date: May 2026

open study

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and pharmacodynamic effects of AZD2389 in adult participants with steatotic liver disease (SLD) and advanced fibrosis.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: May 2026

open study

In this study, researchers will learn more about a study drug called DT-101 in participants with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), a form of depression. The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if DT-101 can treat depression in adults. The effect of DT-101 will be compared to placebo. A placebo looks the drug but contains no medicine. Subjects will attend the clinic for complete general health checks and to complete questionnaires.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: May 2026

open study

This is an open-label, randomized, crossover study to evaluate the relative bioavailability (rBA) and bioequivalence (BE) of a test capsule formulation of varegacestat compared to reference capsules formulation under fasting conditions.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jun 2026

open study

The goal of this clinical trial is to optimize a school-based therapeutic play intervention in preschool students with mild to moderate school adjustment difficulties. The aims are: 1. Determine the independent and combined effects of three intervention components (individual play, peer play, and classroom push-in sessions) on preschool children's social and emotional competence, using a factorial experimental design. 2. Use a community-engaged approach to identify and disseminate the optimized version of Primary Project for preschool implementation Researchers will compare the main and interactive effects of three components on children's social-emotional competencies. Participants will take part in a therapeutic play intervention in the school setting, and their teachers and caregivers will complete assessment instruments on children's social and emotional functioning.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Oct 2024

open study