Contents
- 1 Healthy Volunteer Research Opportunities
- 2 Demographic Data Shows Clinical Trial Availability
- 3 Interpreting Pennsylvania Demographic Information to Find Paid Trials
- 4 Pennsylvania CROs Healthy Participants Might Explore
- 5 Medical Trends in Pennsylvania That Influence the Science
- 6 Pennsylvania Trial Opportunities For Multiple Healthy Volunteers
Healthy Volunteer Research Opportunities
The history of Pennsylvania stretches right back to the earliest eras of America. As a result, infrastructure in this area was established early. For those seeking to supplement their income, paid clinical trials for healthy volunteers nearby are available. These opportunities are some of the most established in the country.
In order to determine where such options can be found, you’ll want to look into CROs. CROs are Clinical Research Organizations, and they conduct testing related to new medical discoveries and suppositions. In Pennsylvania alone, there are approximately 676 CROs.
We need two additional pieces of data to further narrow it down. One, we need to know the population of Pennsylvania. Two, we need to know the average saturation of experimentation nationwide to narrow down the data. Experts say 1 out of 200 people in the US need to be involved in research continuously to facilitate forward medical science advances to keep pace with the industry.
Meanwhile, Pennsylvania’s population is 13,062,764. That means stat averages indicate Pennsylvania CROs need 65,313 volunteers a year. So each CRO should have around 96 individual opportunities for participants that are interested. Likely they will have more, on average, and be conducting multiple studies; but each scenario will be different. Next, we need to narrow that data down.
Demographic Data Shows Clinical Trial Availability
CROs have to work with what’s available. To further determine which paid clinical trials nearby for healthy volunteers apply to you, you’ll want to look at Pennsylvania demographic data. Whites are 79.37% of the state’s population, those of African descent are 11.09%, Asians are 3.51%, and those who have 2 or more races constitute 3.38% of the population. The state’s median age is 39.3 years, and 51% of locals are female, while 49% are male. That data is gathered from the same source as the population data.
International (Pediatric) Peritoneal Biobank
Recruiting
Within few years the peritoneal membrane of adult peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients undergoes substantial morphological transformation, including progressive fibrosis, vasculopathy and neoangiogenesis. Ultrafiltration capacity steadily declines and ultimately results in PD failure. In children, peritoneal biopsies demonstrating PD associated alterations have not yet been obtained. They, however, should be particularly informative, since secondary tissue and vascular pathology related to ageing o... Read More
Within few years the peritoneal membrane of adult peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients undergoes substantial morphological transformation, including progressive fibrosis, vasculopathy and neoangiogenesis. Ultrafiltration capacity steadily declines and ultimately results in PD failure. In children, peritoneal biopsies demonstrating PD associated alterations have not yet been obtained. They, however, should be particularly informative, since secondary tissue and vascular pathology related to ageing or diabetes is absent.
An international, prospective peritoneal membrane biopsy study in children on PD will therefore be performed. Biopsies will be obtained at time of PD catheter insertion, on occasion of intercurrent abdominal surgery (e.g. hernia repair, catheter exchange) and at time of renal transplantation. Quantitative histomorphometry and tissue protein expression analyses will be correlated with time integrated PD treatment modalities and functional characteristics as well as inflammatory and cardiovascular comorbidity surrogate parameter. Blood will be obtained during clinical routine sampling. Biopsies will be obtained during clinically indicated operations, without substantially increasing operation time and associated surgical risks. The detailed histomorphometry of the PD membrane will give additional information, potentially impacting on the individual PD regime.
3/2018: The analyses of the pediatric PD biopsy demonstrated early and major transformation of the peritoneal membrane with neutral pH low GDP fluids, and significant vasculopathy already in children with CKD stage 5, further progressing with PD. The underlying mechanisms are partly understood, only. In view of these major findings and the numerous open questions, collection of biosamples will be continued in children and also in adult PD patients. The following questions will be addressed: Molecular counterparts of peritoneal semi-permeability, solute and water transport (beyond AQP1), pathomechanisms and molecular and functional impact of peritoneal transformation with low and high GDP fluids, and the respective pathomechanisms and molecular and functional impact of vascular disease in CKD and with different PD fluids. The impact of renal transplantation following PD will be assessed in a subgroup of patients with tenckhoff catheter removal several weeks after transplantation and a functioning graft. Read Less
Gender:
ALL
Ages:
Between 1 day and 90 years
Trial Updated:
12/03/2024
Locations: The Children´s Hospital of Philadelphia, Narberth, Pennsylvania
The Children´s Hospital of Philadelphia, Narberth, Pennsylvania
Conditions: Kidney Failure, Chronic, Peritoneal Dialysis Complication, Transplantation, Healthy
Electrophysiological Source Imaging Guided Transcranial Focused Ultrasound
Recruiting
Neuromodulation is a fast growing field that offers a wide range of applications for both understanding and treating the brain. Future research for non-invasive neuromodulation will need to elucidate the optimal frequency, duration, and intensity of stimulation for a variety of technologies and diseases. Closed loop stimulation is thus a promising research area that allows for responsive stimulation and real time symptom management. Our project is proposed to develop and test a novel noninvasive... Read More
Neuromodulation is a fast growing field that offers a wide range of applications for both understanding and treating the brain. Future research for non-invasive neuromodulation will need to elucidate the optimal frequency, duration, and intensity of stimulation for a variety of technologies and diseases. Closed loop stimulation is thus a promising research area that allows for responsive stimulation and real time symptom management. Our project is proposed to develop and test a novel noninvasive neuromodulation integrating transcranial focused ultrasound stimulation (tFUS) with electrophysiological source imaging (ESI-tFUS) to allow evidence-based neuromodulation for brain research and the management of brain conditions. Despite the recent developments and attention surrounding tFUS, relatively little is known about the mechanisms and optimal parameters of this stimulation technology. The addition of ESI neuroimaging, aimed at providing biomarkers to assess the effects of tFUS neuromodulation, could provide crucial necessary information regarding the neural response to the applied stimulation in real-time. In order for tFUS to be further developed and transformed into a robust neuromodulation technology, an integrated electrophysiological source-imaging-guided tFUS system to allow for individualized and responsive stimulation is needed.
The purpose of this study is to develop and evaluate the proposed ESI-tFUS in human subjects using motor and somatosensory paradigms. Read Less
Gender:
ALL
Ages:
Between 18 years and 64 years
Trial Updated:
08/19/2024
Locations: Department of Biomedical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Department of Biomedical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Conditions: Healthy
Comparison of the Short-Term Effect of Dietary Carbohydrate Restriction Versus Exogenous Ketone Supplementation on Myocardial Glucose Suppression and Timing to Achieve a State of Ketosis Using FDG PET/CT Serial Imaging
Recruiting
The purpose of this study is to test different methods of preparation that can be used prior to a test called an FDG PET/CT scan. FDG PET/CT scans are routinely done for evaluation of heart inflammation. Standard preparation for the scan includes a ketogenic (high fat and low carbohydrate) diet for 24 hours and overnight fasting to help suppress the amount of sugar taken up in the heart muscle. However, Investigator still do not know if this preparation is the most effective method. So the Inves... Read More
The purpose of this study is to test different methods of preparation that can be used prior to a test called an FDG PET/CT scan. FDG PET/CT scans are routinely done for evaluation of heart inflammation. Standard preparation for the scan includes a ketogenic (high fat and low carbohydrate) diet for 24 hours and overnight fasting to help suppress the amount of sugar taken up in the heart muscle. However, Investigator still do not know if this preparation is the most effective method. So the Investigator, want to investigate alternative methods for decreasing the amount of sugar uptake seen in the heart during FDG PET/CT scan, thus, investigator will have participants try up to 3 different methods of preparation prior to the FDG PET/CT scans to see which type of preparation works the best. Read Less
Gender:
ALL
Ages:
18 years and above
Trial Updated:
07/15/2020
Locations: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Conditions: Healthy
PennPET Explorer Scanner Evaluation
Recruiting
Positron Emission Tomography (PET) is a procedure that uses a special type of machine to take pictures of the inside of the body after a radioactive drug is administered. The radioactive drug that is used for this study may be an FDA approved imaging drug or may be used as an investigational imaging drug as part of another study for which participants are taking part. PET using various radiotracers is useful for the diagnosis of various diseases, including cancer, brain diseases, infection, and... Read More
Positron Emission Tomography (PET) is a procedure that uses a special type of machine to take pictures of the inside of the body after a radioactive drug is administered. The radioactive drug that is used for this study may be an FDA approved imaging drug or may be used as an investigational imaging drug as part of another study for which participants are taking part. PET using various radiotracers is useful for the diagnosis of various diseases, including cancer, brain diseases, infection, and heart or lung disease.
The purpose of this study is to test a research PET machine called the PennPET Explorer long-axial field-of-view scanner. This research PET machine can image a larger section of the body than the current clinical PET scanners, allowing most of the body to be imaged at one time. This scanner is still an investigational device and is being tested in this study to collect more information about how best to use this type of whole body scanner. Read Less
Gender:
ALL
Ages:
18 years and above
Trial Updated:
03/25/2025
Locations: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Conditions: Healthy, Cognitive Impairment
Effect of (TaVNS) on Anxiety and Brain Function in Distressed Health Care Workers
Recruiting
The purpose of this research is to measure alterations in anxiety and brain activity associated with the use of an approved health device called Transauricular Vagal Nerve Stimulation (TaVNS) in distressed persons who work in a health care and distressed healthcare workers in the the Philadelphia, PA region. The Investigators will be using functional magnetic resonance imaging (or fMRI) to measure changes in each subject's brain function during the use of VNS. This study is designed to allow res... Read More
The purpose of this research is to measure alterations in anxiety and brain activity associated with the use of an approved health device called Transauricular Vagal Nerve Stimulation (TaVNS) in distressed persons who work in a health care and distressed healthcare workers in the the Philadelphia, PA region. The Investigators will be using functional magnetic resonance imaging (or fMRI) to measure changes in each subject's brain function during the use of VNS. This study is designed to allow researchers to understand the changes in cerebral (brain) activity that occur when a subject uses VNS. Thus, the primary goal of the proposed study is to evaluate the ability of the TaVNS system to reduce distress and change neurophysiology among health care providers.
The Investigators, hypothesize that using the TaVNS device will help reduce distress in individuals.
In order to understand the mechanisms of change that occur while using the VNS study, the Investigators have added a substudy of participants who do not experience high levels of distress to evaluate the effects of the functional changes that may occur in the brain while using the TaVNS device.
In addition to the primary aims of the overalll study to assess distress in workers while enrolled in a TaVNS program, a subgroup of 50 subjects will undergo functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) while using the VNS device to assess the changes in the brain including neurophysiological effects of TaVNS.
The goal of this substudy is to observe the changes in the brain while using the TaVNS earbuds in the MRI to increase our understanding of the mechanisms and processing involved while using TaVNS. In this substudy, which is amendment version 3.0, the investigators have increased the number of persons to include 50 subjects who will use the device in the MRI to evaluate the neural processes and cerebral blood flow while using TaVNS. Read Less
Gender:
ALL
Ages:
21 years and above
Trial Updated:
02/07/2025
Locations: Thomas Jefferson University, Marcus Institute of Integrative Health Centers, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Thomas Jefferson University, Marcus Institute of Integrative Health Centers, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Conditions: Anxiety, Distress, Emotional, Effects of Vibration, Healthy
Multi-System Analysis of Opioid Receptor Binding
Recruiting
This study will enroll up to 60 adults (including 30 females and 30 males) in three cohorts of up to 20 subjects each. In all three groups, \[11C\]carfentanil whole-body PET imaging will be used to examine the central nervous system (CNS) and broader systemic opioid binding in an initial scan session. In the two groups not receiving standard of care medication assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid use disorder (OUD) the effects on \[11C\]carfentanil binding potential of the blockade of opioid bind... Read More
This study will enroll up to 60 adults (including 30 females and 30 males) in three cohorts of up to 20 subjects each. In all three groups, \[11C\]carfentanil whole-body PET imaging will be used to examine the central nervous system (CNS) and broader systemic opioid binding in an initial scan session. In the two groups not receiving standard of care medication assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid use disorder (OUD) the effects on \[11C\]carfentanil binding potential of the blockade of opioid binding by the non-selective opioid antagonist naloxone administered parenterally in a second scan session will also be examined. If two scans are completed they can be done on the same day or on different days. Read Less
Gender:
ALL
Ages:
Between 18 years and 50 years
Trial Updated:
07/31/2025
Locations: University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Conditions: Healthy, Opioid Use Disorder
Real-time fMRI for Insular Cortex Brain State-triggered Experience Sampling
Recruiting
In a neuroimaging session, study participants will repeatedly and intermittently report the content of their ongoing, self-generated experiences based on an experience-sampling protocol in which self-report ratings will be triggered based on real-time analysis of the participant's current brain state. The protocol will be conducted while participants are undergoing MRI scanning.
In a neuroimaging session, study participants will repeatedly and intermittently report the content of their ongoing, self-generated experiences based on an experience-sampling protocol in which self-report ratings will be triggered based on real-time analysis of the participant's current brain state. The protocol will be conducted while participants are undergoing MRI scanning. Read Less
Gender:
ALL
Ages:
Between 18 years and 35 years
Trial Updated:
08/18/2025
Locations: Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Conditions: Healthy
Characterization of Gastric Evoked Potentials
Recruiting
This is an exploratory study that will determine and standardize how best to record gastric evoked potentials (GEPs) elicited by a non-invasive method of brain stimulation (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, TMS), by optimizing the TMS parameters and cortical sites necessary to evoke GEPs.
This is an exploratory study that will determine and standardize how best to record gastric evoked potentials (GEPs) elicited by a non-invasive method of brain stimulation (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, TMS), by optimizing the TMS parameters and cortical sites necessary to evoke GEPs. Read Less
Gender:
ALL
Ages:
Between 21 years and 60 years
Trial Updated:
06/02/2025
Locations: University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Conditions: Healthy
A Study of MK-8527 in Healthy Lactating Female Participants (MK-8527-009)
Recruiting
The goal of this study is to learn how MK-8527 moves through the healthy person's body over time. Researchers will measure for the amount of MK-8527 in breast milk that the baby will receive at many time points.
The goal of this study is to learn how MK-8527 moves through the healthy person's body over time. Researchers will measure for the amount of MK-8527 in breast milk that the baby will receive at many time points. Read Less
Gender:
FEMALE
Ages:
18 years and above
Trial Updated:
04/21/2025
Locations: University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Magee-Womens Hospital, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Magee-Womens Hospital, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Conditions: Healthy, HIV Pre-exposure Prophylaxis
Neuromodulation of Brain and Emotional Responses to Psychological Stress
Recruiting
Investigators are conducting this study to test if temporarily and non-invasively stimulating the brain will affect the emotional response to stress in healthy participants.
Participants will perform a series of tasks while completing an MRI scan. After this, participants will be randomized to undergo transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) at two visits, undergoing active stimulation at one visit and undergoing 'sham' stimulation at another visit. Immediately following both stimulation session... Read More
Investigators are conducting this study to test if temporarily and non-invasively stimulating the brain will affect the emotional response to stress in healthy participants.
Participants will perform a series of tasks while completing an MRI scan. After this, participants will be randomized to undergo transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) at two visits, undergoing active stimulation at one visit and undergoing 'sham' stimulation at another visit. Immediately following both stimulation sessions, participants will repeat the tasks during MRI scanning. Read Less
Gender:
ALL
Ages:
Between 30 years and 50 years
Trial Updated:
05/02/2025
Locations: University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Conditions: Healthy, Anxiety
Interpreting Pennsylvania Demographic Information to Find Paid Trials
Ultimately what this indicates is that paid clinical trials for healthy volunteers in Pennsylvania will be most available for white women in their late 30s, followed by white men in the same category.
That’s not to say these will be the only opportunities, but if there are specific studies for Pennsylvania citizens, these will likely be where they’re concentrated. That said, most trials require a diversity of participants for more robust, reliable data.
Pennsylvania CROs Healthy Participants Might Explore
To get an idea of what sort of institutions are offering healthy volunteer paid clinical trials, we’ll link to three different institutions from around the state. It’s a large state in a densely populated area, so you’ll definitely be able to find opportunities if you want them. Consider these for starters:
- Dober Group Toward the North of the State
- Critical Path Services in the Southeast
- Tarcine BioMed in the Northwest
Medical Trends in Pennsylvania That Influence the Science
As mentioned earlier, Pennsylvania has a lot of history, and that extends to medical discoveries. Just to give you an idea the sort of history you can be involved in locally through CRO trials, consider some of these notable Pennsylvania contributions to medical science:
- Pennsylvania Has 25 of the Country’s Best Infectious Disease Doctors
- 1 out of 6 American Doctors are Trained in Pennsylvania
- The Polio Vaccine Was Invented in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Trial Opportunities For Multiple Healthy Volunteers
Pennsylvania is a hub for medicine globally, and if you’re looking to be part of associated medical history, CRO paid trial opportunities are a great strategy to pursue. You can simultaneously advance medical science, be part of history, and get paid for the privilege.
Click here to find Pennsylvania clinical trials in Pittsburgh.