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Clinical trials are the cornerstone for advanced medical treatment. Maryland has a full spectrum of patient-oriented research. Studies funded by industry specialists, foundations, federal, and other sources are widespread.
MD is home to some of the most reputable clinical trial facilities like Critical Care Associates of Baltimore and the National Institutes of Health Clinical Center and Pulmonary.
Clinical Trials For Disease Areas in Maryland
From cutting-edge oncology trials to studies aimed at unraveling the complexities of neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, Maryland’s clinical research landscape is diverse and impactful.
Infectious diseases, cardiovascular conditions, autoimmune disorders, and rare diseases also take center stage in clinical research trials in Maryland. Here, scientists and medical experts strive to uncover innovative therapies, improve patient outcomes, and make notable advances in the field of medicine.
Here, we compiled a list of active and future trials.
Transplants With Unlicensed Preserved Cord Blood
Recruiting
Background:
- Cord blood transplants can treat cancers and other diseases in children and adults. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires cord blood to be collected and stored under certain safety standards. However, most available cord blood units were collected before the FDA set these standards. These units may not meet FDA standards, but they do meet similar standards set and followed by the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP). Cord blood units that do not meet the new FDA sta... Read More
Background:
- Cord blood transplants can treat cancers and other diseases in children and adults. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires cord blood to be collected and stored under certain safety standards. However, most available cord blood units were collected before the FDA set these standards. These units may not meet FDA standards, but they do meet similar standards set and followed by the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP). Cord blood units that do not meet the new FDA standards may be used for transplants only as part of a research study. Doctors want to allow people who need transplants to receive cord blood that meets NMDP standards but may not meet FDA standards.
Objectives:
- To allow selected cord blood units that do not meet current FDA standards to be used for transplant.
Eligibility:
- Individuals who need cord blood units for transplant, and who best match cord blood units that are not FDA-licensed.
Design:
Participants will provide consent to receive cord blood that meets NMDP standards but may not meet FDA standards.
Participants will remain on the study for observation for up to 1 year after transplant, or until they withdraw from the study for personal or medical reasons. Read Less
Gender:
All
Ages:
Between 4 years and 99 years
Trial Updated:
10/07/2021
Locations: National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, Maryland
National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, Maryland
Conditions: Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS), Hematologic Neoplasms, Hematologic Diseases, Severe Aplastic Anemia
Use of the Interleukin-6 Inhibitor Clazakizumab in Patients With Life-threatening COVID-19 Infection
Recruiting
In this study Investigators propose to administer clazakizumab to patients with life-threatening COVID-19 infection manifest by pulmonary failure and a clinical picture consistent with a cytokine storm syndrome. This is a single-center randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in which 30 patients will be enrolled and randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to two study arms that will receive clazakizumab at a dose of 25 mg or placebo.
In this study Investigators propose to administer clazakizumab to patients with life-threatening COVID-19 infection manifest by pulmonary failure and a clinical picture consistent with a cytokine storm syndrome. This is a single-center randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in which 30 patients will be enrolled and randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to two study arms that will receive clazakizumab at a dose of 25 mg or placebo. Read Less
Gender:
All
Ages:
Between 18 years and 100 years
Trial Updated:
06/10/2021
Locations: Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland
Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland
Conditions: Covid19
Clinical Trial Evaluating the Efficacy, Safety, and Tolerability of Cariprazine in a Dose-Reduction Paradigm in the Prevention of Relapse in Patients With Schizophrenia
Recruiting
To evaluate the efficacy and safety of cariprazine at a target dose of 4.5 mg/d compared with placebo in prevention of relapse in patients with schizophrenia
To evaluate the efficacy and safety of cariprazine at a target dose of 3.0 mg/d compared with placebo in prevention of relapse in patients with schizophrenia who were initially stabilized on a target dose of 4.5 mg/d
To evaluate the efficacy and safety of cariprazine at a target dose of 4.5 mg/d compared with placebo in prevention of relapse in patients with schizophrenia
To evaluate the efficacy and safety of cariprazine at a target dose of 3.0 mg/d compared with placebo in prevention of relapse in patients with schizophrenia who were initially stabilized on a target dose of 4.5 mg/d Read Less
Gender:
All
Ages:
Between 18 years and 64 years
Trial Updated:
08/17/2020
Locations: CBH Health LLC, Gaithersburg, Maryland
CBH Health LLC, Gaithersburg, Maryland
Conditions: Schizophrenia
Talazoparib, an Oral PARP Inhibitor, in Patients With Advanced Solid Tumors and Aberrations in Genes Involved in DNA Damage Response
Recruiting
Background:
People with advanced cancer are usually treated with surgery, radiation, immunotherapy drugs, or chemotherapy drugs. Talazoparib is a type of drug called a PARP inhibitor. It prevents DNA repair and has shown anticancer activity in early clinical trials. Researchers want to learn more about how it works in different types of patients.
Objective:
To find out how talazoparib works in tumor cells and if it works differently in people who have or have not already been treated with ano... Read More
Background:
People with advanced cancer are usually treated with surgery, radiation, immunotherapy drugs, or chemotherapy drugs. Talazoparib is a type of drug called a PARP inhibitor. It prevents DNA repair and has shown anticancer activity in early clinical trials. Researchers want to learn more about how it works in different types of patients.
Objective:
To find out how talazoparib works in tumor cells and if it works differently in people who have or have not already been treated with another PARP inhibitor.
Eligibility:
Adults ages 18 and older with locally advanced or metastatic solid tumors, who have a gene variation that changes how their tumors are able to repair DNA
Design:
Participants will be screened with a medical history and physical exam. Their medical records will be reviewed. Their ability to do daily activities will be assessed. They will give blood samples. Screening tests will be repeated during the study.
Participants tumors will be measured. They will have tumor biopsies.
Participants samples will be used for gene testing.
Participants will be put into 1 of 2 groups: those who have never had a PARP inhibitor and those who have had a PARP inhibitor.
Participants will take talazoparib by mouth daily. It is given in cycles that are 4 weeks (28 days) long. They will get the study drug for as long as their cancer does not get worse, they can tolerate the side effects, and they choose to stay on the study.
After treatment ends, participants condition will be followed. They will be watched for side effects. They will be contacted once about 30 days after treatment ends. Read Less
Gender:
All
Ages:
18 years and above
Trial Updated:
01/09/2021
Locations: National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, Bethesda, Maryland
National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, Bethesda, Maryland
Conditions: Solid Tumors
A SAD/MAD Study to Evaluate the Safety, Tolerability, PK and PD of MT2004
Recruiting
This is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose-escalation study to evaluate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics (PK), and pharmacodynamics (PD) of a single dose of MT2004 following oral single and multiple ascending dose administration.
This is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose-escalation study to evaluate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics (PK), and pharmacodynamics (PD) of a single dose of MT2004 following oral single and multiple ascending dose administration. Read Less
Gender:
All
Ages:
Between 18 years and 55 years
Trial Updated:
02/20/2021
Locations: Pharmaron CPC, Baltimore, Maryland
Pharmaron CPC, Baltimore, Maryland
Conditions: Healthy
A Phase I Trial of ProAgio, an Anti- Alpha-v-beta3 Integrin Cytotoxin, for Previously Treated Advanced Pancreatic Cancer and Other Solid Tumor Malignancies
Recruiting
Background:
Pancreatic cancer is the third leading cause of death from cancer in the United States.
The median overall survival for patients with metastatic disease and excellent performance status receiving the most effective combination chemotherapy regimens remains less than 1 year
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), the most common pancreatic cancer histology, is surrounded by a dense desmoplastic stromal reaction generated by cross-talk between tumor cells and the cancer associated st... Read More
Background:
Pancreatic cancer is the third leading cause of death from cancer in the United States.
The median overall survival for patients with metastatic disease and excellent performance status receiving the most effective combination chemotherapy regimens remains less than 1 year
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), the most common pancreatic cancer histology, is surrounded by a dense desmoplastic stromal reaction generated by cross-talk between tumor cells and the cancer associated stellate cells (CASC) and fibroblasts (CAF) in the microenvironment.
This stroma physically inhibits delivery of therapeutic drugs to tumor cells, secretes growth factors and nutrients that promote therapy resistance and cancer cell survival and is also highly immunosuppressive
Activated CASCs, CAFs and angiogenic endothelial cells which form the abnormal vasculature around tumors, all express high levels of integrin vbeta3.
ProAgio is a rationally designed pegylated peptide drug that binds to integrin vbeta3 at a novel binding site that directly triggers cell apoptosis
ProAgio induces apoptosis of CASCs and angiogenic endothelial cells in pre-clinical models, inhibiting tumor growth and prolonging animal survival
Safety of ProAgio in rodent and non-human primate models has been established
ProAgio has never been tested in humans
Primary Objectives:
To determine the recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D) of ProAgio in participants with previously treated advanced solid tumors for which no curative therapy exists
Eligibility:
Adults >= 18 years of age
Histologically confirmed solid tumor malignancy for which no curative therapy exists as confirmed by the NCI Laboratory of Pathology
For the expansion cohort only: Histologically confirmed diagnosis of pancreatic cancer that is not neuroendocrine
Participants must have received at least one prior systemic treatment
Adequate end organ function is required
Participants in the Biopsy Arm of the expansion cohort must have disease amenable to safe biopsy and willingness to undergo the procedure
Design:
This is a Phase I study to assess the safety of ProAgio in Participants with advanced solid tumor malignancies including pancreatic cancer
All participants will receive ProAgio until disease progression, unacceptable toxicity, or withdrawal from study
For the dose escalation cohort, a modified 3+3 design with accelerated dose escalation in initial cohorts will be used
For the expansion cohort, all participants will receive ProAgio at the ideal dose identified during the dose escalation
The expansion cohort has two arms: standard arm and biopsy arm. Pre- and post-treatment tumor biopsy is optional for participants enrolled in the standard arm, but mandatory for participants enrolled in the biopsy arm.... Read Less
Gender:
All
Ages:
18 years and above
Trial Updated:
06/26/2021
Locations: National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, Bethesda, Maryland
National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, Bethesda, Maryland
Conditions: Pancreatic Cancer, Solid Tumors
Trial of Dichloroacetate in Glioblastoma
Recruiting
Dichloroacetate (DCA), the prototypic PDK inhibitor, readily crosses the blood-brain barrier and represents an entirely new class of small molecule metabolic modulators that act in mitochondria to reset cellular homeostasis in various congenital and acquired metabolic disorders. Indeed, pharmacological inhibition of PDK in cancer cells by DCA restores PDC activity, reverses the Warburg effect and induces a caspase-mediated selective apoptosis of tumors. The central hypothesis is that patients tr... Read More
Dichloroacetate (DCA), the prototypic PDK inhibitor, readily crosses the blood-brain barrier and represents an entirely new class of small molecule metabolic modulators that act in mitochondria to reset cellular homeostasis in various congenital and acquired metabolic disorders. Indeed, pharmacological inhibition of PDK in cancer cells by DCA restores PDC activity, reverses the Warburg effect and induces a caspase-mediated selective apoptosis of tumors. The central hypothesis is that patients treated with DCA prior to surgery will have a significant (p ≤ 0.05) mean decrease in phosphorylated PDC protein expression in tumor tissue, compared to tissue from patients who are not treated before surgery. Read Less
Gender:
All
Ages:
Between 18 years and 80 years
Trial Updated:
12/10/2021
Locations: Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
Conditions: Glioblastoma
Study of Acalabrutinib (ACP-196) in Combination With Venetoclax (ABT-199), With and Without Obinutuzumab (GA101) Versus Chemoimmunotherapy for Previously Untreated CLL
Recruiting
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of acalabrutinib in combination with venetoclax and acalabrutinib in combination with venetoclax with and without obinutuzumab compared to chemoimmunotherapy in subjects with previously untreated CLL.
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of acalabrutinib in combination with venetoclax and acalabrutinib in combination with venetoclax with and without obinutuzumab compared to chemoimmunotherapy in subjects with previously untreated CLL. Read Less
Gender:
All
Ages:
Between 18 years and 130 years
Trial Updated:
01/14/2022
Locations: Research Site, Baltimore, Maryland +1 locations
Research Site, Baltimore, Maryland
Research Site, Baltimore, Maryland
Conditions: Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
Assessing the Safety and Efficacy of MYMD1 to Treat Depression in Patients With Post-Acute Sequelae of Coronavirus Disease-2019 (PASC)
Recruiting
This is a Phase II, Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study to evaluate the effects of the drug MYMD1, a novel Immuno-Metabolic Regulator, for its antidepressant and antianxiety properties, in addition to its anti-inflammatory effects, in patients with Post-Acute Sequelae of Coronavirus Disease-2019. The investigators' hope is that this drug will help treat the depressive and anxiety symptoms in post-COVID-19 patients and any post-COVID-19 inflammatory complications.
The total durati... Read More
This is a Phase II, Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study to evaluate the effects of the drug MYMD1, a novel Immuno-Metabolic Regulator, for its antidepressant and antianxiety properties, in addition to its anti-inflammatory effects, in patients with Post-Acute Sequelae of Coronavirus Disease-2019. The investigators' hope is that this drug will help treat the depressive and anxiety symptoms in post-COVID-19 patients and any post-COVID-19 inflammatory complications.
The total duration of the study will be a maximum of 40 days-involving enrollment (1 day), an active treatment phase (10 days) during which participants will either receive 300mg of MYMD1, 600mg of MYMD1, or a placebo, and a remote monitoring phase (28 days). Read Less
Gender:
All
Ages:
18 years and above
Trial Updated:
02/07/2022
Locations: Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, Baltimore, Maryland
Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, Baltimore, Maryland
Conditions: Depression, Anxiety, Inflammation, COVID-19
Quantiferon CMV to Identify Treatment Need for Asymptomatic CMV Infection After Solid Organ Transplant (QUANTIFOT)
Recruiting
Context
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is a frequent and potentially severe event in solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients.
Most of available treatment display adverse effects that limit their use. Therefore, in case of an infection, it is of primary importance to identify the patients at high risk of severe infection and/or disease, and who ill benefit the most from antiviral therapy.
As CMV infection is mainly controlled by cellular immunity, measuring specific anti-CMV T lymphocyte immu... Read More
Context
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is a frequent and potentially severe event in solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients.
Most of available treatment display adverse effects that limit their use. Therefore, in case of an infection, it is of primary importance to identify the patients at high risk of severe infection and/or disease, and who ill benefit the most from antiviral therapy.
As CMV infection is mainly controlled by cellular immunity, measuring specific anti-CMV T lymphocyte immunity could be an interesting tool for identifying these at-risk individuals. One of these tests is the QuantiFERON-CMV (QF-CMV) assay (QuiagenTM, Courtabœuf, France).
Aim of the study
The aim of the study is to determine the extent to which the QF-CMV can be use to identify, among SOT recipients with a CMV viremia, those that may not need antiviral therapy.
Methods
Participation to the study will be proposed to SOT recipients with an asymptomatic CMV infection with a blood viral load between 1,000 and 15,000 IU/mL.
The QF-CMV will be performed in included participants, and the result will be given or not to the clinician in charge (according to the attributed group through randomisation).
* In the group without result communication, the clinician in charge will determine whether a treatment is needed according to the guidelines and the local practices.
* in the group with result communication, the clinician in charge will be advised not to introduce antiviral therapy if the result is positive, and to determine whether a treatment is needed according to the guidelines and the local practices if the result is positive.
In the following weeks, the viral load will be monitored, along with creatininemia, cell blood count, and kalemia (to detect antiviral adverse effect).
The participants will be sampled:
* 5 to 12 days after QF-CMV sampling (V2) ;
* 7 to 14 days days after V2 (V3 - between D12 and D26) ;
* 7 to 14 days days after V3 (V4 - between D19 and D40) .
Endpoints
The primary endpoint is the rate of uncontrolled infection 5 to 12 days after QF-CMV sampling, defined as follows:
* Blood CMV viral load \>10,000 IU/mL \[4 log\];
* And/or increase in blood viral load ≥0.5 log IU/mL with CV otherwise \>5000 IU/mL;
* And/or the onset of CMV disease.
The secondary endpoint is the is the occurrence antiviral adverse effects (hematoxicity or nephrotoxicity). Read Less
Gender:
ALL
Ages:
18 years and above
Trial Updated:
09/27/2024
Locations: CHU Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, Maryland
CHU Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, Maryland
Conditions: Cytomegalovirus Infections, Heart Transplantation, Kidney Transplantation, Lung Transplantation, Liver Transplantation
Paid Clinical Trials in Maryland
Participants are paid for their time and participation in specific clinical studies. Some MD paid clinical trials can offer thousands of dollars. While others can provide just a small reimbursement to compensate for things like accommodation and travel expenses.
Different factors can influence the amount of payment people get. Such as, how much time they spend there, the phase and length of the study, burden level, and other risk factors. The money can come in handy, especially in paid phase 1 clinical research.
Clinical Trials For Health Volunteers in Maryland
Volunteers are a driving factor behind clinical research. Without volunteers, there are no results. Research teams in Maryland rely on both patients and healthy volunteers to make significant advances in medical science.
Volunteers speed up the research process. They help researchers gather data to create novel solutions.
If you want to volunteer and be a part of the development of innovative treatments, check for active clinical trials near you in Maryland. The list below can help.
Study of New Magnetic Resonance Imaging Methods of the Brain
Recruiting
The purpose of this investigation is to develop improved magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques and hardware for studying brain function. MRI is a diagnostic tool that provides information about brain chemistry and physiology. This study will evaluate new MRI methods for monitoring blood flow to regions of the brain in response to simple tasks. The MRI machine used in this study is more powerful than those in most hospitals, permitting a higher visual resolution.
Normal healthy volunteers... Read More
The purpose of this investigation is to develop improved magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques and hardware for studying brain function. MRI is a diagnostic tool that provides information about brain chemistry and physiology. This study will evaluate new MRI methods for monitoring blood flow to regions of the brain in response to simple tasks. The MRI machine used in this study is more powerful than those in most hospitals, permitting a higher visual resolution.
Normal healthy volunteers over 18 years old may be eligible for this study. Candidates will be screened with a medical history and questionnaire, and a neurological examination. Study participants will have a yearly MRI scan. For this procedure, the subject lies on a stretcher that is moved into a donut-shaped machine with a strong magnetic field. A lightweight circular or rectangular coil a device that improves the quality of the images may be placed on the head. The scan time varies from 20 minutes to 3 hours; most scans last between 45 and 90 minutes. During the scan, the subject may perform simple tasks, such as listening to tapes, tapping a finger, moving a hand, watching a screen, or smelling a fragrance. More complex tasks may require thinking about tones or pictures and responding to them by pressing buttons.
Information from this study will be used to develop better imaging methods that will, in turn, permit a greater understanding of normal and abnormal brain behaviors. Read Less
Gender:
ALL
Ages:
Between 18 years and 120 years
Trial Updated:
08/22/2025
Locations: National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, Bethesda, Maryland
National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, Bethesda, Maryland
Conditions: Healthy, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Adult, Brain Mapping, fMRI, Healthy Volunteer
Filgrastim-Mobilized Stem Cells for Transplantation Using Unrelated Donors
Recruiting
The purpose of the study is to:
* Establish and evaluate a system for collection of filgrastim-mobilized peripheral blood stem cells from National Marrow Donor Program donors (NMDP) donors
* Assess the safety among NMDP donors of filgrastim administration and PBSC leukapheresis
* Assess the safety and efficacy of filgrastim-mobilized PBSC in unrelated donor hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients
* Determine the acceptability of stem cell donation by filgrastim stimulated apheresis in nor... Read More
The purpose of the study is to:
* Establish and evaluate a system for collection of filgrastim-mobilized peripheral blood stem cells from National Marrow Donor Program donors (NMDP) donors
* Assess the safety among NMDP donors of filgrastim administration and PBSC leukapheresis
* Assess the safety and efficacy of filgrastim-mobilized PBSC in unrelated donor hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients
* Determine the acceptability of stem cell donation by filgrastim stimulated apheresis in normal donors Read Less
Gender:
ALL
Ages:
Between 18 years and 60 years
Trial Updated:
04/09/2025
Locations: C.W. Bill Young Marrow Donor Center, Rockville, Maryland
C.W. Bill Young Marrow Donor Center, Rockville, Maryland
Conditions: Healthy
Imaging Techniques in MRI
Recruiting
Background:
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans must be performed according to specified sets of parameters that provide optimal images of each organ and each area of the body. These scanning parameters are often specific to the institution or organization at which they are employed, and may also depend on the manufacturer of the MRI scanning equipment. Because MRI scanning equipment is always being updated and upgraded, researchers are interested in developing new and optimized scanning p... Read More
Background:
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans must be performed according to specified sets of parameters that provide optimal images of each organ and each area of the body. These scanning parameters are often specific to the institution or organization at which they are employed, and may also depend on the manufacturer of the MRI scanning equipment. Because MRI scanning equipment is always being updated and upgraded, researchers are interested in developing new and optimized scanning parameters for MRI scans.
Objectives:
- To improve current methods and develop new techniques for magnetic resonance imaging.
Eligibility:
* Individuals 18 years of age and older who are either volunteers or current NIH protocol participants.
* Participants must not have any medical history factors (e.g., extreme claustrophobia, history of metal implants) that would prevent them from receiving MRI scans.
Design:
* Participants will have at least one MRI scan that will last from 20 minutes to 2 hours (most scans will last between 45 and 90 minutes). The total time commitment for most visits will be approximately 4 hours from start to finish.
* Some MRI techniques require standard monitoring equipment or specific procedures during the scanning, such as an electrocardiogram.
* Participants will have blood samples taken at the time of the scan. Some MRI studies will require the use of a contrast agent that will be administered during the scan.
* Volunteers may be asked to return for additional MRI scans over the course of a few years. Follow-up scans may be done on the same part of the body or on different parts of the body. No more than one MRI scan will be performed in any 4-week period for this protocol. Read Less
Gender:
ALL
Ages:
Between 18 years and 100 years
Trial Updated:
08/22/2025
Locations: National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, Bethesda, Maryland
National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, Bethesda, Maryland
Conditions: Cardiac Risk Factors, Healthy, Healthy Volunteers
New Heart Imaging Techniques to Evaluate Possible Heart Disease
Recruiting
Background:
- Imaging tests, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), can provide information about heart and blood vessels. The tests let doctors can see the amount of blood vessel narrowing and vessel wall thickness. This information may help diagnose and treat heart disease and other conditions that lead to heart attacks. Better MRI methods are needed to improve heart disease diagnosis, especially by avoiding the use of radiation. Researchers are testing new techniques to improve the qualit... Read More
Background:
- Imaging tests, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), can provide information about heart and blood vessels. The tests let doctors can see the amount of blood vessel narrowing and vessel wall thickness. This information may help diagnose and treat heart disease and other conditions that lead to heart attacks. Better MRI methods are needed to improve heart disease diagnosis, especially by avoiding the use of radiation. Researchers are testing new techniques to improve the quality of heart MRI, compared with more complex studies like catheterization or angiography.
Objectives:
- To compare heart MRI techniques with other tests used to diagnose heart disease.
Eligibility:
- People at least 18 years of age who either have or may have heart disease, or are healthy volunteers.
Design:
* Participants will be screened with a physical exam, medical history, and blood tests.
* They will have an angiography to study the inside of blood vessels. This test is an x-ray study of the blood vessels. It will be done either separately or as part of a set of tests to diagnose possible heart disease.
* Participants will have at least one and up to five MRI scans. The scans will involve different methods of studying the heart and blood vessels. Participants may also have a computed tomography scan to confirm the findings of an MRI scan.
* No treatment will be provided as part of this protocol.... Read Less
Gender:
ALL
Ages:
Between 18 years and 100 years
Trial Updated:
06/27/2025
Locations: National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, Bethesda, Maryland
National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, Bethesda, Maryland
Influence of Brain Oscillation-Dependent TMS on Motor Function
Recruiting
Background:
When people have a stroke, they often have difficulty moving their arms and hands. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) can improve how well people with and without stroke can move their arms and hands. But the effects of TMS are minor, and it doesn t work for everyone. Researchers want to study how to time brain stimulation so that the effects are more consistent.
Objective:
To understand how the brain responds to transcranial magnetic stimulation so that treatments for people... Read More
Background:
When people have a stroke, they often have difficulty moving their arms and hands. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) can improve how well people with and without stroke can move their arms and hands. But the effects of TMS are minor, and it doesn t work for everyone. Researchers want to study how to time brain stimulation so that the effects are more consistent.
Objective:
To understand how the brain responds to transcranial magnetic stimulation so that treatments for people with stroke can be improved.
Eligibility:
Adults ages 18 and older who had a stroke at least 6 months ago
Healthy volunteers ages 50 and older
Design:
Participants will have up to 5 visits.
At visit 1, participants will be screened with medical history and physical exam. Participants with stroke will also have TMS and surface electromyography (sEMG).
For TMS, a brief electrical current will pass through a wire coil on the scalp. Participants may hear a click and feel a pull. Muscles may twitch. Participants may be asked to do simple movements during TMS.
For sEMG, small electrodes will be attached to the skin and muscle activity will be recorded.
At visit 2, participants will have magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). They will lie on a table that slides into a metal cylinder in a strong magnetic field. They will get earplugs for the loud noise.
At visit 3, participants will have TMS, sEMG, and electroencephalography (EEG). For EEG, small electrodes on the scalp will record brainwaves. Participants will sit still, watch a movie, or do TMS.
Participants may be asked to have 2 extra visits to redo procedures. Read Less
Gender:
ALL
Ages:
18 years and above
Trial Updated:
04/16/2025
Locations: National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, Bethesda, Maryland
National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, Bethesda, Maryland
Conditions: Healthy, Stroke, Normal Physiology, Aging
High-resolution Phosphocreatine and Creatine Mapping of Human Muscle and Brain
Recruiting
In this study, we aim to develop and validate a noninvasive approach for quantifying and imaging energy metabolism, without contrast agents, on widely available clinical MRI scanners. Briefly, this technique allows specific and selective imaging of the energy metabolite phosphocreatine (PCr), in vivo and non-invasively. PCr is one of the predominant high-energy phosphates present in brain and muscle and one that is altered by common diseases. Although energy metabolism and PCr play a vital role... Read More
In this study, we aim to develop and validate a noninvasive approach for quantifying and imaging energy metabolism, without contrast agents, on widely available clinical MRI scanners. Briefly, this technique allows specific and selective imaging of the energy metabolite phosphocreatine (PCr), in vivo and non-invasively. PCr is one of the predominant high-energy phosphates present in brain and muscle and one that is altered by common diseases. Although energy metabolism and PCr play a vital role in cellular homeostasis, there currently are no routine diagnostic tests to noninvasively quantify or map the distribution of PCr with clinically acceptable spatial resolution or/and scan time. Here, we demonstrate that the exchangeable guanidinium protons of millimolar concentration PCr can be exploited to detect it via the water signal in MRI with greatly enhanced sensitivity (molar signal) using chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) MRI, and its concentration can be quantified using an artificial neural network (ANN). This new technique, dubbed ANNCEST, allowed us to obtain a high-resolution PCr map on human skeletal muscle within 1.5 min, on a 3T clinical MRI scanner equipped with just the standard MRI setup. To put this in a larger perspective, energy metabolism is critical for cell viability and is altered by many common acquired and inherited diseases. ANNCEST is arguably the first to use widely available MRI scanners to noninvasively image tissue energy metabolism of PCr, and thus would have appeal to a broad readership of scientists and clinicians interested in neurology, muscular dystrophies and myopathies as well as cardiology, to name a few. Read Less
Gender:
ALL
Ages:
Between 18 years and 80 years
Trial Updated:
03/05/2025
Locations: F. M. Kirby Center and Johns Hopkins University Medical School, Baltimore, Maryland
F. M. Kirby Center and Johns Hopkins University Medical School, Baltimore, Maryland
Conditions: Healthy
Effects of Experimental Sleep Disturbances on Receptor Function of Study Drug
Recruiting
The overall goal of this project is to determine whether common sleep disturbance patterns, sleep continuity disturbance (SCD) and Sleep Fragmentation (SF), alter cerebral study drug receptor availability, drug-based analgesia, and drug abuse liability. The investigators specifically aim to: 1) evaluate whether experimental SCD and/or SF alter resting or pain-evoked receptor binding potential in brain regions associated with pain inhibition; 2) examine whether SCD and/or SF alters the analgesic... Read More
The overall goal of this project is to determine whether common sleep disturbance patterns, sleep continuity disturbance (SCD) and Sleep Fragmentation (SF), alter cerebral study drug receptor availability, drug-based analgesia, and drug abuse liability. The investigators specifically aim to: 1) evaluate whether experimental SCD and/or SF alter resting or pain-evoked receptor binding potential in brain regions associated with pain inhibition; 2) examine whether SCD and/or SF alters the analgesic response and abuse liability profile of a study medication; and 3) determine whether receptor binding potentials in brain regions of interest are associated with study medication analgesia and abuse liability. The investigators will also evaluate the extent to which associations differ by sleep condition or sex. Read Less
Gender:
ALL
Ages:
Between 18 years and 48 years
Trial Updated:
04/28/2025
Locations: Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
Conditions: Sleep Disorder, Healthy
A SAD/MAD Study to Evaluate the Safety, Tolerability, PK and PD of MT2004
Recruiting
This is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose-escalation study to evaluate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics (PK), and pharmacodynamics (PD) of a single dose of MT2004 following oral single and multiple ascending dose administration.
This is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose-escalation study to evaluate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics (PK), and pharmacodynamics (PD) of a single dose of MT2004 following oral single and multiple ascending dose administration. Read Less
Gender:
All
Ages:
Between 18 years and 55 years
Trial Updated:
02/20/2021
Locations: Pharmaron CPC, Baltimore, Maryland
Pharmaron CPC, Baltimore, Maryland
Conditions: Healthy
Study of Healthy Cohort for Early Detection of Cancer
Recruiting
Cancer produces a significant burden on society with a majority diagnosed at late stages when the chance of cure is low. Early diagnosis improves patient outcomes. Data consisting of lifestyle factors, medications, physical activity, years before conventional cancer diagnosis is also worthwhile for to determine early detection. This is only achievable with longitudinal tracking of a large number of healthy individuals and identifying those who do develop cancer over time.
Cancer produces a significant burden on society with a majority diagnosed at late stages when the chance of cure is low. Early diagnosis improves patient outcomes. Data consisting of lifestyle factors, medications, physical activity, years before conventional cancer diagnosis is also worthwhile for to determine early detection. This is only achievable with longitudinal tracking of a large number of healthy individuals and identifying those who do develop cancer over time. Read Less
Gender:
ALL
Ages:
18 years and above
Trial Updated:
02/10/2025
Locations: Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland
Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland
Conditions: Healthy
Effects of Psilocybin on Electrophysiology and the Dynamic Content of Thought
Recruiting
This research study will use computerized tasks, electroencephalography (EEG), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to look at how the drug psilocybin, a naturally occurring compound contained in hundreds of species of psychoactive mushrooms, changes thoughts and brain activity.
This research study will use computerized tasks, electroencephalography (EEG), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to look at how the drug psilocybin, a naturally occurring compound contained in hundreds of species of psychoactive mushrooms, changes thoughts and brain activity. Read Less
Gender:
ALL
Ages:
Between 18 years and 75 years
Trial Updated:
12/16/2024
Locations: Johns Hopkins Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research, Baltimore, Maryland
Johns Hopkins Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research, Baltimore, Maryland
Conditions: Healthy
Medical Discoveries and Innovation in Maryland
Maryland clinical research has helped revolutionize patient care and medical science. It is with the help of pioneering minds that we’ve been able to get so far in such a short time. Some of the most impactful medical discoveries from Maryland include:
- Mapping the Human Genome: Maryland’s research institutions helped analyze the public’s perception of the Human Genome Project. This achievement helped take the world’s biggest collaborative biological project to new heights.
- Innovations in Cardiac Surgery: The state’s surgeons have been leaders in cardiac surgery innovations, Dr. Michel Mirowski developed the first implantable heart defibrillator. This innovation saved countless lives. The doctor worked in Israel before coming to the Sinai Hospital, Maryland.
- Innovations in cancer research: Bioengineers at the University of Maryland created a new technique to capture and study circulating cancer cells. Their method and discoveries could help us learn why and how specific cancers spread.
Why Maryland Is A Great Place For Clinical Research
Maryland’s population is one of the most diverse in the United States. This makes the state an excellent choice for clinical research. Here, 49% of its residents are White, 30.2% are Black, 11.1% are Hispanic, 6.8% are Asian, and 2.6% are multiracial.