CLINICAL TRIALS: Call for Volunteers

Dental Implants

The UMDNJ-New Jersey Dental School is conducting a research study for individuals who are interested in dental implants to stabilize their lower dentures and help them chew better. To qualify, participants must be in good health and will be required to have an evaluation of their present denture and lower jaw bone. Those with a clinically acceptable denture and adequate size lower jaw will be accepted into the study. The number of study participants is limited. The study is subsidized by a research grant and a portion of the cost will be absorbed by participants.

Saul Weiner, DDS, is the principal investigator for the study. Contact Fran Devonshire, RN, at 973-972-4777 for more information.

Women’s Fertility Study

UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School and Hackensack University Medical Center will conduct a NIH study of new treatments for infertility in women with irregular menstrual cycles. Women with eight or fewer menstrual cycles per year are often suffering from anovulation (not ovulating or releasing an egg each month) due to a hormonal imbalance termed polycystic ovary syndrome (PCO syndrome). The study will investigate which medicine or combination of medicines is the most effective and safe way to restore ovulation and fertility in these women. Those who meet the criteria for eligibility will receive medication at no cost and treatment for up to 30 weeks. In addition, they will be compensated for their time and travel.

The principal investigator for the study is Peter McGovern, MD. For more information, call Amy Solnica, RN, at 201-393-7430 or toll-free at 1-888-777-8922, ext. 7430.

Salt Sensitivity and the Kidney

Hypertension specialists at UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School are seeking white and African-American volunteers to study the role of the kidney in salt sensitivity. The study entails two consecutive 24-hour urine collections and one blood collection. Blood pressure will be measured on three occasions. Dietary habits and daily activities will not be altered. Volunteers should be between the ages of 18 and 45, healthy and not taking any medication for hypertension. Compensation of $60 will be provided upon completion of the study.

Abraham Aviv, MD, is the principal investigator for the study. For more information call 973-972-6805.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School is currently conducting multiple studies to investigate the possible causes of medically unexplained fatigue and pain in disorders such as chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and fibromyalgia (FM). Patients who may have CFS or FM and healthy comparison subjects are needed to participate in the studies. Volunteers must be between the ages of 18 and 55. Medical evaluations and fitness tests are provided at no cost. Participants will be compensated for their time up to $200 per study. The NJ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Cooperative Research Centers are located at the UMDNJ-Newark campus and at the VA Medical Center in East Orange.

Benjamin H. Natelson, MD, is the principal investigator for the studies. For more information call 800-248-8005 or visit the Web page at www.umdnj/cfsweb/CFS.

Inverse Psoriasis

An 8-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled multi-center study in adults will assess the efficacy and safety of Pimecrolimus 1% cream twice daily in the treatment of inverse psoriasis. Volunteers must be age 18 or older, and must be diagnosed with inverse psoriasis. The study is approximately eight weeks and is being conducted at UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in New Brunswick. Study participants will receive monetary compensation upon completion of the study.

Alice Gottlieb, MD, PhD, director of the Clinical Research Center, is the principal investigator of the study. For additional information call Nancy Olesinski at 732-418-8484.

Atopic Dermatitis (Eczema)

This is an exploratory, randomized, double-blind, vehicle-controlled, multi-center, parallel dose study investigating the use of Elidel ® cream 1% for mild to moderate atopic dermatitis in patients who demonstrate a clinical insensitivity to topical glucocorticoids. To qualify, volunteers must be between the ages of 2 and 50. The duration of the study is approximately 18 weeks and it is being conducted at UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in New Brunswick. Study participants will receive monetary compensation.

Alice Gottlieb, MD, PhD, director of the Clinical Research Center, is the principal investigator. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call Nancy Olesinski at 732-418-8484.

Contraceptive Study

A research project using a new contraceptive gel with a diaphragm is being conducted at UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in New Brunswick. Volunteers must be in good health and be between the ages of 18 and 40 to be eligible to participate. Participants will receive study-related examinations, contraception and laboratory tests at no cost. Monetary compensation up to $200 will be provided to those who complete the study.

The principal investigator is Charletta Ayers, MD, MPH, Women’s Health Institute. For more information call 732-235-7292, Monday thru Friday from 9 AM to 5 PM.

Alcoholism and Genetics Study

Volunteers are needed to participate in a research study on alcoholism and genetics at UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in Piscataway. The purpose of the study is to understand the inherited factors in alcoholism. To be eligible, participants must have a same sex sibling who is willing to participate; and at least one of the siblings must have a problem with alcohol now or have had a problem in the past. Participants must be willing to have blood and urine samples taken at this one-time interview. The results of the tests will be kept confidential. Those who qualify will receive $100 for their participation plus travel expenses.

Paul Manowitz, PhD, is the principal investigator. For more information call Sheryl Zeger, LCSW, CADC, at 732-235-4879.

Environmental Health Research

Women are needed to participate in a study at UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in Piscataway to evaluate the health effects of indoor air quality and stress. To be eligible, volunteers must be healthy non-smokers between the ages of 20 and 45, and be available for a five hour morning session (once a week) for four consecutive weeks. During these sessions, responses to indoor air (typical of office environments) will be measured. Participants will also fill out questionnaires, be given tests of attention and concentration, and be asked to provide nasal and saliva samples. A medical exam will be provided at no cost and participants will receive $500 upon completion of the study.

Nancy Fiedler, PhD, Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences Institute, is the principal investigator for the study. For more information call 732-445-0123, ext. 625.

Cancer Clinical Trials

Scientists at The Cancer Institute of New Jersey (CINJ) in New Brunswick develop and conduct clinical trials for oncology patients who do not respond to traditional therapies and for those with cancers that do not have a standard treatment. CINJ offers advanced comprehensive care and its research base has the potential to transform laboratory results into clinical applications that reduce cancer incidence, morbidity and mortality.

For additional information on specific cancer clinical trials at CINJ, call the Clinical Research Office at 732-235-8666.

Parkinson’s Disease

A group of neurologists from throughout the U.S. and Canada, known as the Parkinson’s Study Group (PSG), have formed a collaborative effort with Indiana Univer-sity School of Medicine, University of Rochester, The Ohio State University, Children’s Hospital Medical Center at the University of Cincinnati and Emory University to study genetic and other risk factors which may be important in the development of Parkinson’s disease. The study is sponsored by the NIH and will involve 400 to 600 pairs of brothers and sisters throughout North America who are affected, or possibly affected, with Parkinson’s disease (PD).

Participation is voluntary and will be limited to those individuals with living siblings affected or possibly affected with PD. To request additional information, contact Lisa Giffin, LPN, at 856-566-6356. Those residing outside the U.S. should call 1-317-274-5734. Information on this study is also available at: http://www.medgen.iupui.edu/research/parkinson.

Investigational Medication for Parkinson’s Disease

Researchers at UMDNJ-School of Osteopathic Medicine in Stratford are in need of volunteers with Parkinson’s disease to test an investigational drug to determine if it delays the progression of symptoms such as tremor, stiffness and slow movements. To be eligible, participants must have early symptoms of Parkinson’s and cannot be taking any medication for the disease. In addition, they must have been at least age 30 when diagnosed. Study related medical care will be provided at no cost.

The principal investigator for the research study is David Podskalny, DO. For additional information contact Lisa Giffin, LPN, CCRC, at 856-566-6356.

Migraine Headaches

UMDNJ-School of Osteopathic Medicine in Stratford is conducting a migraine study at the University Headache Center in Moorestown for individuals who get two to six migraines and less than six non-migraine headaches per month. To be eligible to participate, volunteers must be in generally good health and have no heart problems or risks for heart problems. Participants will receive a new formulation of a currently marketed triptan medication, zolmitriptan nasal spray. They will have the opportunity to treat up to two headaches and will be provided study medication, EKGs and blood tests at no cost.

A second study is being conducted at the school for individuals who suffer with headaches who may have migraine-type symptoms but were never diagnosed with migraines and have never taken a triptan medication for migraine.

The principal investigator for the studies is Loretta Mueller, DO. For more information and to be screened for both studies, call 856-234-7421 or visit Web page at www3.umdnj.edu/headweb.