Background: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an inherited blood disorder. The disease affects the ability of red blood cells to carry oxygen. Research has shown that curcumin, a natural compound found in turmeric, can improve the health of red blood cells in people with SCD. But the body cannot absorb curcumin well when it is taken by mouth. Researchers want to know if a skin gel (VAS-101) can help the body better absorb curcumin. VAS-101 contains curcumin, which comes from turmeric. Objective: To test VAS-101 in people with stable SCD. Eligibility: People aged 18 to 70 years with stable SCD. Design: People who want to join the study will be screened with physical exam with blood tests to see if they are eligible. If they qualify, they can enroll in the study. Participants will have up to 15 clinic visits over about 14 weeks. Some may need to stay overnight in the hospital for up to 2 days to make it easier to collect blood samples after the gel is applied. For 6 weeks, a special gel called VAS-101 will be put on the forearms in the clinic two times a week. Staff will rub the gel into the skin for at least 30 seconds using a soft toothbrush. The area stays uncovered for at least 10 minutes, then is covered with a bandage or sleeve. After 24 hours, the dressing can be removed and the skin can be washed. Some visits will include blood tests and other exams. On three visits, a test called near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) will be done. For this test, probes are placed on the skin to measure blood flow, oxygen levels, and the makeup of skin and muscle. A blood pressure cuff is used to squeeze the arm for up to 5 minutes. The last clinic visit will happen about 4 weeks after the final gel application....

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jul 2026

open study

Background: People who have had an allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HCT), cellular therapy (CT), or gene therapy (GT) have bone marrow or an immune system that is damaged. They get stem cells from a donor who is a relative. Researchers want to study stem cell donors and recipients to learn about the long-term effects of HCT, CT, or GT. They want to learn how the stem cells change and how to improve their ability to fight cancer. Objective: To provide long-term follow-up care for people who underwent or will undergo HCT, CT, or GT. To collect data, blood, and tissue samples to learn about late complications after HCT, CT, or GT. Eligibility: Adults age 18 and older who will undergo HCT or underwent HCT, Cellular Therapy (CT), or Gene Therapy (GT) and are surviving one year or more from the date of therapy. The stem cell donors for these recipients are also needed. Design: Recipients will have 1 visit each year. They will have a physical exam. They will answer questions about their medical history and health. They will receive screening and surveillance testing. They will complete brief questionnaires. Recipients will have blood tests. They may have tissue biopsies or specimens (such as tissue in their cheek or skin or bone marrow biopsy). Recipients will give their current address and phone number, and the same data for one or two other people, who can get in contact with them. After the first visit at the clinic, some recipients may see a doctor close to home to get the necessary information and send it to NIH. Donors will come to the clinic for 1 visit. They will answer questions about their medical history. Blood samples will be taken.

Type: Observational

Start Date: Apr 2017

open study

Objective: The objective of this study is to identify genetic causes of inherited eye conditions through whole exome or whole genome sequencing (referred to as exome sequencing and genome sequencing in the remainder of the document). This includes identifying mutations in known genes or novel genes for recognized conditions, as well as identifying mutations in novel genes for previously uncharacterized genetic conditions involving the eye. Study Population: We plan to recruit 2,000 participants, to include both participants with an eye condition under study and unaffected family members. Ideally unaffected family members will be parents of an affected participant. Design: Participants will be self-referred or referred by an outside clinician. They will preferably be evaluated at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), but the option to participate offsite will be offered. Participants evaluated onsite will be recruited through other pre-existing NIH protocols, such as the National Eye Institute (NEI) Screening protocol (08-EI-0102), the NEI Ocular Natural History protocol (16-EI-0134), the Genetics of Inherited Eye Disease protocol (15-EI-0128), and the Pathogenesis and Genetics of Microphthalmia, Anophthalmia and Uveal Coloboma (MAC) protocol (13-EI-0049). Offsite participants will be screened via phone or secure videoconference, and records will be requested for evaluation of affected participants. Both affected and unaffected eligible participants will undergo genetic counseling and will provide a blood sample and/or saliva sample for exome or genome sequencing. Biological relationships will be confirmed prior to exome or genome sequencing. Sequence data will be analyzed for primary variants and secondary findings, unless participants choose to opt-out of secondary analysis and reporting. All sequence variants deemed clinically relevant will be validated in a Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendment (CLIA)-certified laboratory. The results will be returned to the participant in-person, secure videoconference, or by telephone. Outcome Measures: This is an etiologic study that will generate molecular information about previously-recognized conditions for which participants did not have a molecular diagnosis, as well as molecular information for previously uncharacterized conditions involving the eye.

Type: Observational

Start Date: Aug 2014

open study

Methylmalonic acidemia (MMA), one of the most common inborn errors of organic acid metabolism, is heterogeneous in etiology and clinical manifestations. Affected patients with cblA, cblB and mut classes of MMA are medically fragile and can suffer from complications such as metabolic stroke or infarction of the basal ganglia, pancreatitis, end stage renal failure, growth impairment, osteoporosis, and developmental delay. The frequency of these complications and their precipitants remain undefined. Furthermore, current treatment protocol outcomes have continued to demonstrate substantial morbidity and mortality in the patient population. Increasingly, solid organ transplantation (liver, and/or kidney) has been used to treat patients. Disordered transport and intracellular metabolism of vitamin B12 produces a distinct group of disorders that feature methylmalonic acidemia as well as (hyper)homocysteinemia. These conditions are named after the corresponding cellular complementation class - (cblC, cblD, cblF, cblJ and cblX) - and are also heterogenous, clinically and biochemically. The genetic disorders underlying cblE and cblG feature an isolated impairment of the activity of methionine synthase, a critical enzyme involved in the conversion of homocysteine to methionine and these disorders feature (hyper)homocysteinemia. Lastly, a group of patients can have increased methylmalonic acid and/or homocysteine in the blood or urine caused by variant(s) in recently identified (ACSF3) and unknown genes. In this protocol, we will clinically evaluate patients with methylmalonic acidemia and cobalamin metabolic defects. Routine inpatient admissions will last up to 4-5 days and involve urine collection, blood drawing, ophthalmological examination, radiological procedures, MRI/MRS, skin biopsies in some, and developmental testing. In a subset of patients who have or will receive renal, hepato- or hepato-renal transplants or have an unusual variant or clinical course and have MMA, a lumbar puncture to examine CSF metabolites will be performed. In this small group of patients, CSF metabolite monitoring may be used to adjust therapy. The study objectives will be to further delineate the spectrum of phenotypes and characterize the natural history of these enzymopathies, query for genotype/enzymatic/phenotype correlations, search for new genetic causes of methylmalonic acidemia and/or homocysteinemia, identify new disease biomarkers and define clinical outcome parameters for future clinical trials. The population will consist of participants previously evaluated at NIH, physician referrals, and families directed to the study from clinicaltrials.gov as well as the Organic Acidemia Association, Homocystinuria Network America and other national and international support groups. Most participants will be evaluated only at the NIH Clinical Center. However, if the NIH team decides that a patient under the age of 2 years is a candidate subject for this research protocol, that patient may enroll at the Children's National Medical Center (CNMC) site, pending approval by Dr Chapman, the Principal Investigator of the CNMC location Individuals may also enroll in the tissue collection only part of the study at the UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh or share medical history and clinical data via telemedicine visits remotely. Outcome measures will largely be descriptive and encompass correlations between clinical, biochemical and molecular parameters.

Type: Observational

Start Date: Jun 2004

open study

Background: About 5 million adults in the United States have age-related brain disorders. These include Alzheimer disease (AD), mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and other dementias. The number of people with these disorders will likely increase as the population ages and life span increases. Inflammation is thought to play a role in AD and MCI. Researchers want to know if an enzyme called PDE4B increases inflammation in people with AD or MCI. Objective: To test whether medical imaging using a new radiotracer ([18F]PF-06445974) can measure PDE4B in the brains of people with AD or MCI. Eligibility: People aged 50 years and older with AD or MCI. Healthy volunteers are also needed. Design: Participants will have up to 5 clinic visits with 3 imaging scans of the brain. They will have be screened. They will have a physical exam with blood tests. This will include tests of their heart and nerve function, including memory. Participants will have 2 positron emission tomography (PET) scans. One will use a standard radiotracer. The other will use the study radiotracer. They will receive each tracer through a tube attached to a needle inserted into a vein. During the scan with the study tracer, participants will have a second tube inserted into a vein in the wrist; this tube will be used to draw blood during the scan. Participants will lie on a bed that slides into a doughnut-shaped machine. These visits will take about 6 hours each. Participants will have 1 magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. They will lie on a bed that slides into a cylinder. This visit will take up to 2 hours....

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jul 2026

open study

Background: Phosphodiesterase-4B (PDE4B) is a protein in the brain that may play a role in several mental health disorders. Researchers want to know if drinking alcohol increases the binding of a radioactive tracer to PDE4B in the brain because of increased activity and/or amount of the protein. This knowledge may help create new ways to treat people with alcohol use disorder (AUD). Objective: To learn if alcohol increases PDE4B activity in the brain. Eligibility: Healthy people aged 21 to 70 years who drink socially but do not have AUD. They must be enrolled in protocol 14-AA-0181"NIAAA Natural History Protocol". Design: Participants will have up to 4 clinic visits with up to 3 imaging scans of the brain; these will include 1 or 2 positron emission tomography (PET) scans and 1 magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. The first PET scan will be a baseline. Participants will receive a radioactive tracer through a tube inserted into a vein. A second tube will be inserted so that blood can be drawn during the scan. Participants will lie on a bed that slides into a doughnut-shaped machine. This visit will take about 6 hours. For the next PET scan, participants will receive alcohol (ethanol) through a tube in a vein until they have a blood alcohol concentration that is equal to the legal driving limit. This is the same as 4 or 5 drinks for most people. After the scan, participants must remain at the clinic for a few hours until their blood alcohol drops. This visit will take 14 to 16 hours. The MRI scan of the brain will take up to 2 hours in a separate clinic visit.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Dec 2025

open study

Background: SARS-CoV-2 is the virus that causes COVID-19. Some people who recover from COVID-19 have long-term symptoms that affect the brain. These include headaches; loss of taste and smell; sleep problems; thinking problems; depression; and anxiety. Researchers want to know if a tracer (a substance that is injected into a person s body before an imaging scan) can help identify inflammation in people with these brain disorders. Objective: To see if a radioactive tracer ([11C]PS13) can highlight brain inflammation in those who had COVID-19 but still have symptoms that affect the brain. Eligibility: Adults aged 18 to 70 years with post COVID-19 brain disorders who are enrolled in protocol 000089 or 000711. Healthy volunteers are also needed. Design: Participants will have up to 5 clinic visits. Participants will be screened. They will have blood tests and a test of their heart function. They will have imaging scans: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): They will lie on a table that slides into a metal tube. Pictures will be taken of the brain. Positron emission tomography (PET): A needle attached to a thin tube will be inserted into a vein in the arm. The tracer will be injected through the tube. Another needle attached to a thin tube will be inserted into the wrist or inside of the elbow of the other arm to draw blood. They will lie still on a bed while a machine captures images of their brain. The scan will last about 2 hours. Study involvement is 11 to 14 weeks....

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jun 2025

open study

Study Description: Despite the availability of pharmacotherapy for some substance use disorders, relapse vulnerability is still a significant issue. This suggests medications with alternative mechanisms of action should be explored to address this unmet need. Substantial preclinical research indicates that orexin antagonism blunts the internally and externally triggered motivation to attain abused substances. This research project will translate these preclinical findings into the clinical domain by administering the FDA approved orexin antagonist, suvorexant, to those with a substance use disorder. Suvorexant s ability to blunt neurobiological correlates of substance misuse will be assessed. This will be assessed following acute and repeated drug administration. Baseline individual differences will be considered to determine whether neurobiological variance influences suvorexant s impact in those with nicotine dependence. In an independent arm, the interaction between suvorexant and a dopamine agonist (methylphenidate) on cognitive function will be assessed in non-smoking individuals. Objectives: The objective is to determine the acute and chronic impact of the orexin antagonist, suvorexant, on neurobiological and behavioral factors linked with substance use disorders. Whether such effects are mediated by baseline characteristics will be tested. Given suvorexant is an FDA approved treatment for insomnia, sleep will be evaluated as well in the nicotine dependent arm. Endpoints: In nicotine-dependent individuals, suvorexant s impact on brain function will be assessed several ways by evaluating: 1) resting function, 2) reactivity to drug cues, 3) reactivity to non-drug related cognitive tasks. Sleep and nicotine use will be measured throughout the study period. In those without nicotine-dependence, the impact of suvorexant and the interaction of acute methylphenidate and suvorexant on brain function will be assessed. This arm will provide insight into how suvorexant impacts reward/cognition as well as impacts the pharmacological influence of methylphenidate on those same measures. Study Population:<TAB> Nicotine dependence arm:140 subjects; Volunteers who are between the ages of 18-60 and are daily smokers/vapers. Control arm: 80 subjects; Volunteers who are between the ages of 18-60 and are non-smokers/vapers This study will be conducted at the NIDA-IRP, Biomedical Research Center, in Baltimore, MD. Description of Study Intervention: Nicotine dependence arm: Suvorexant at 10 mg single dose, and Suvorexant at 10 mg daily for approximately 7 days. Control arm: 1. Tolerability visit with one MRI scan post-20mg methylphenidate, 4 acute drug administration (6-14 days in randomized order: 1. Placebo + placebo; 2. 20mg suvorexant + Placebo; 3. Placebo + 40mg methylphenidate; 4. 20 mg suvorexant + 40mg methylphenidate max) Study Duration: 5 years Participant Duration: 1-2 months

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Feb 2023

open study

This study will investigate how genetic and environmental factors contribute to the development of melanoma, a type of skin cancer, and related conditions. Individuals >=4 weeks with a personal or family history of melanoma or atypical spitzoid/Spitz tumor may be eligible for this study. Participants will: - Fill out one or two questionnaires about their personal and family medical history. - Provide written consent for researchers to review their medical records and pathology materials related to their care and those of deceased relatives with melanomas, tumors, cancer, or other related illnesses for whom they are the next-of-kin or legally authorized representative. - Donate a blood or cheek cell sample to be used for genetic studies. (The blood sample is collected through a needle in an arm vein. The cheek cell sample is obtained either by gently brushing the inside of the mouth with a soft brush or by swishing a tablespoon of mouthwash and then spitting it into a container.) - Undergo a skin biopsy (removal of a small piece of skin tissue) for genetic study. For this procedure, the area of skin to be removed is numbed with a local anesthetic and a 1/4-inch piece of skin is excised with a cookie cutter-like instrument. The wound is then covered with a band-aid. Participants may be asked to travel to the NIH Clinical Center for evaluation, including a medical history, physical examination, and some of the following procedures: - Full body skin examination to evaluate the type and number of moles and document any evidence of sun damage to the skin. The examination involves all the skin from the scalp to the bottoms of the feet. After the examination, a medical photographer will photograph the skin, with close-ups of skin lesions marked by the examiner. If there are parts of the skin the participant does not want examined or photographed, he or she can tell the examiner. - Blood draw of about 120 milliliters (4 ounces) or less - Skin biopsy - Cheek cell sample - X-rays, ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies to detect tumors or changes in tumors or other types of changes in specific tissues. MRI is a diagnostic test that uses strong magnetic fields and radiowaves to examine body tissues. The subject lies on a table that is moved into a large tunnel-like machine (the scanner) for about 45 minutes to 1 hour. When the tests are finished, a doctor will discuss the results with the participant and the need, if any, for clinical follow-up.

Type: Observational

Start Date: Jul 2002

open study

The researchers are doing this study to test the capabilities of a new total-body PET scanner called the Biograph Vision Quadra. The researchers want to learn whether this scanner can produce better PET/CT images and provide more useful imaging information than standard PET/CT scanners.

Type: Observational

Start Date: Jun 2026

open study

This is an interventional study that will test whether a breathing exercise called Inspiratory Muscle Strength Training (IMST) can safely and effectively lower blood pressure during late pregnancy. The goal is to see if a home-based breathing training can help prevent or reduce high blood pressure disorders in pregnancy. The main objectives are to make sure the training is safe and tolerable for pregnant women and to examine blood pressure and blood vessel health. Participants in their third trimester will be randomly assigned to either do moderate resistance IMST or a minimal resistance sham IMST, for 5 to 8 minutes a day over six weeks.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jun 2026

open study

Study Description: This is a natural history protocol designed to characterize the clinical spectrum of trisomy 8 mosaicism and trisomy 8-associated autoinflammatory disease (TRIAD) and related autoinflammatory disorders and further evaluate approaches to screening, diagnosis, and management. We will enroll affected patients and their unaffected relatives and collect a variety of clinical data and biological specimens for research analyses to better understand disease mechanisms. Biological samples from affected participants may include biopsies from the oral mucosa, skin, and bone marrow; swabs of the mouth, skin, and vagina; urine, stool, and saliva collections; and hair and fingernail clippings. Other clinical data may include imaging studies (such as magnetic resonance imaging [MRI], x-rays, and echocardiogram), questionnaires, and results from medical consults and clinically indicated procedures. Biological samples from unaffected relatives of participants may include blood, mouth swabs, stool, urine, and saliva. Participants may be seen in person or remotely via telehealth and provide send-in samples. After the initial baseline assessment, optional follow-up visits will occur approximately every 1 to 2 years, depending on the scientific needs of the study team and the participant s clinical status and interest. Objectives: Primary Objectives: 1. Characterize the clinical spectrum and natural history of trisomy 8 mosaicism and related disorders. 2. Characterize the immunologic profile in blood, tissue, and bone marrow of participants with trisomy 8 mosaicism and related disorders. Secondary Objectives: 1. Determine appropriate screening and diagnostic workup of individuals with trisomy 8 mosaicism and related disorders. 2. Identify the long-term risk of and association with neoplasm among individuals with trisomy 8 mosaicism. 3. Characterize the distribution of trisomy 8 cells in different tissues and cell types and describe how this contributes to disease manifestations and variability. 4. Evaluate or characterize immune responses to targeted therapeutics to better understand the pathophysiology of trisomy 8 mosaicism and related disorders. Exploratory Objectives: 1. Identify the specific genes and immunologic pathways that lead to disease manifestations seen in patients with trisomy 8. 2. Identify new genetic diseases that lead to mucosal ulcers and understand the immunologic mechanisms that contribute to mucosal ulcerations. Endpoints: Primary Endpoints: 1. Clinical characterization of participants with trisomy 8 mosaicism and related disorders based on history, physical examination, radiologic imaging, and laboratory testing. 2. Characterization of immunologic profile of participants with trisomy 8 mosaicism and related disorders over time in comparison to healthy controls using cellular and molecular techniques including, but not limited to immune cell phenotyping, transcriptomics, proteomics, and ex vivo functional studies. Secondary Endpoints: 1. Characterization of laboratory, radiologic, biopsy, and physical exam findings. 2. Identification of individuals with trisomy 8 who develop malignancy and assessment of risk factors including but not limited to history, findings on bone marrow biopsies and complete blood counts (CBCs), next-generation sequencing (NGS) for risk variants, and flow cytometry. 3. Determination of the percentage of trisomy 8 cells in various tissue types including bone marrow, blood, fibroblasts cultured from skin, and biopsy samples, and the association with clinical phenotype. 4. Assessment of immune response to therapeutics based on inflammatory markers, clinical history, and physical exam findings. Exploratory Endpoint: 1. Identification of genes that may lead to mucosal ulcerative disease when mutated or over/underexpressed.

Type: Observational

Start Date: Jul 2026

open study

The main purpose of this study is to assess the concentrations of nipocalimab (pharmacokinetics [PK]) in the breast milk after administration of a single dose of nipocalimab into the vein, in healthy lactating women.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jun 2026

open study

kTMP, kilohertz transcutaneous magnetic perturbations, is a low intensity transcranial magnetic stimulation technique that will be used in this study to promote arm/hand rehabilitation in patients who have been disabled by stroke.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jul 2026

open study

The aim of this study is to evaluate the safety, reactogenicity, and immune response of the different formulations of the investigational RSV/hMPV combination vaccine and investigational hMPV vaccine in younger and older adults.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jun 2026

open study

We hypothesize that promoting a fasting state will strengthen the anti-cancer effects of PI3K inhibitors in metastatic breast cancer (MBC) treatment. The primary objective of this study is to assess acceptability of prolonged fasting in this population.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: May 2026

open study

The purpose of this study is to see how feasible it is to enroll participants with schizophrenia and for them to complete the study/assessments. It will also assess how safe and tolerable aticaprant is when compared with placebo in participants with schizophrenia.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Mar 2026

open study

The purpose of this clinical study is to learn about the effects and safety of berobenatide (PF-08653944). This may help people with overweight or obesity lose weight. People in this study may also have type 2 diabetes. About 950 adults will be in this study. Berobenatide will be compared to a placebo. A placebo does not have any medicine in it but looks just like the medicine being studied. Berobenatide or placebo is given by a shot under the skin in the belly area. The objective of the study is to compare the experiences of people receiving berobenatide to those of the people who do not to assess if the study medicine is effective and safe. People will take part in this study for about 20 months. During this time, they will have about 15 study visits at the site. They will also have 2 study visits over the phone.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jun 2026

open study

The aims of this clinical trial will test whether or not the onset of nearsightedness is delayed in a group of children randomized to nightly drops in 0.05% atropine in both eyes, in comparison to children who receiving nightly placebo drops in both eyes. The primary outcome is the two-year cumulative incidence of nearsightedness. The second aim of this project will determine whether atropine is associated with slower eye growth in children receiving nightly drops of atropine versus placebo.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: May 2026

open study

The purpose of this study is to evaluate how well brenipatide (LY3537031) is tolerated what side effects may occur, and the safety and efficacy in participants with Irritable Bowel Syndrome-Constipation (IBS-C). The study drug will be administered subcutaneously (SC) (under the skin) when compared with placebo. The study will last approximately 35 weeks.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Apr 2026

open study

This study will evaluate the clinical safety and efficacy of oral brepocitinib in participants with lichen planopilaris

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Mar 2026

open study

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of standard chemotherapy with or without INCB161734 in participants with metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC).

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Apr 2026

open study

This open-label extension study will provide post-trial access to pelacarsen (TQJ230) to participants who have successfully completed the double-blind parent study (CTQJ230A12301).

Type: Interventional

Start Date: May 2026

open study

Researchers are looking for new ways to treat high-risk, localized non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that has been removed with surgery. People with high-risk, localized NSCLC are often treated with surgery. Researchers want to learn if participants can receive 1 or 2 trial treatments to help prevent NSCLC from coming back after surgery. One trial medicine is intismeran (also called V940/mRNA-4157) and the other is subcutaneous pembrolizumab (also called SC pembrolizumab and MK-3475A). Intismeran is designed to help a person's immune system attack their specific cancer. SC pembrolizumab is an immunotherapy treatment which helps the immune system fight cancer. The main purpose of this study is to evaluate whether adjuvant intismeran autogene (V940) in combination with SC pembrolizumab and berahyaluronidase alfa (MK-3475A) or intismeran monotherapy improves disease-free survival (DFS) compared with placebo in participants with completely resected high-risk Stage I NSCLC.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: May 2026

open study

Using both tobacco and cannabis during pregnancy is more common in minoritized groups and can make quitting smoking in pregnancy and remaining smoke free postpartum difficult. Investigators will test an intervention to address prenatal depressive symptoms to encourage people to quit tobacco and cannabis during pregnancy and stay quit postpartum.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jun 2026

open study