Facial Pain Study
Researchers at UMDNJ-New Jersey Dental School in Newark are seeking women between the ages of 18 and 65 who suffer from facial pain (TMJ) or temporomandibular disorders (TMD). The purpose of the study is to determine the causes of facial pain and the appropriate treatment. Volunteers must never have used oral appliances or bite plates for treatment. Participants are required to complete daily questionnaires at home for two weeks before undergoing a free six-week treatment program. They will receive compensation of $300 upon completion of the study.

Women between 18 and 65 years of age without facial pain are also needed for this research project. They will be asked to complete daily questionnaires at home for two weeks and will be paid $100 when the study is completed.

The project is directed by Karen Raphael, PhD, and Joseph Marbach, DDS. For further information call the project coordinator, Margaret Spier, at 973-972-8043.

Women with Spinal Cord Injuries are Sought for Sexual Response Study
Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation in West Orange was awarded a three-year grant from the NIH to conduct a study of the physiologic effects of sexual functioning in spinal cord injured individuals and to test new methods to improve sexual satisfaction. Thirty women, particularly those with incomplete injuries, or with a spinal cord injury at or below the level of T6, are being sought to participate. Those who complete the study will receive compensation for travel expenses and an honorarium of $500.

For more information call research assistant Marie Dziekan, MA, at 800-248-3221, ext. 2711. The principal investigator for this study is Marca L. Sipski, MD.

Study of Viagra TM at Kessler Institute
Kessler Medical Rehabilitation Research and Education Corporation in West Orange is conducting a study evaluating the efficacy of oral Sildenafil (Viagra TM) in the improvement of sexual responsiveness in women with spinal cord injuries (SCI). Participants, particularly those with incomplete injuries, must be premenopausal and between the ages of 18 and 55. Pregnant women are not eligible to participate. Those who complete the study will receive an honorarium of $200.

For further information regarding the study, call research associate Marie Dziekan, MA, at 800-248-3221, ext. 2711. The principal investigator for this study is Marca L. Sipski, MD.

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. The focus of these studies is to develop new treatment options and drugs, as well as preventive and diagnostic techniques to fight the disease. CINJ is the only cancer center in the state of New Jersey designated by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and one of 13 NCI-clinical cancer centers in the country. 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.

The Cancer Institute of New Jersey is currently conducting more than 60 clinical trials for different types and stages of cancer. For additional information on specific cancer clinical trials at CINJ, call the Clinical Research Office at 732-235-8666.

Study of Raloxifene to Prevent Breast Cancer
The Cancer Institute of New Jersey (CINJ) and UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in New Brunswick have been selected to participate in the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project's (NSABP) Study of Tamoxifen and Raloxifene (STAR). STAR is the second major nationwide breast cancer prevention trial conducted by the NSABP. The new study will examine whether raloxifene, a drug similar to tamoxifen, is equally effective in preventing breast cancer and if it offers any additional benefits than those obtained by tamoxifen. STAR is a double-blind study designed to include postmenopausal women age 35 and older who are at increased risk for developing breast cancer. The principal investigator for this study is Deborah Toppmeyer, MD. CINJ will begin enrolling eligible participants in 1999. To be placed on a mailing list to receive trial-related information or to schedule an appointment to determine eligibility, call the Clinical Research Office at 732-235-8666.

Postmenopausal Women Needed to Compare Standard Hormonal Therapy with Soy
Healthy postmenopausal women between the ages of 40 and 66 are needed to participate in a study comparing standard hormonal therapy (i.e. estrogen) with soy, in the form of oral pills, at St. Peter's Medical Center in New Brunswick. The purpose of the study is to evaluate the effects of soy on lipids, uterine lining, vagina, mood and memory. To be eligible to participate, volunteers must be without spontaneous menses for more than one year, must have a uterus and have had a normal Pap smear and mammography within the past year. Participants will receive $50 upon completion of the study.

This study is under the direction of Judi Chervenak, MD. Contact Yu-Ling Lai, RN, at 732-745-6683 for additional information.

High Cholesterol Study
Volunteers with high blood cholesterol are being sought to participate in a study at UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in New Brunswick. Participants must be between the ages of 21 and 70. The purpose of the investigational study is to evaluate the effectiveness of Zocor and Lipitor, drugs known to lower blood cholesterol and decrease the risk of heart attacks. Those eligible will receive a physical exam, study medications and laboratory tests at no charge.

This study is under the direction of the principal investigator, Avedis K. Khachadurian, MD. Call Shelley Greenhaus, RN, at 732-235-7751 for more information.

Facial Acne
UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in New Brunswick is looking for women between the ages of 14 and 49 with at least moderate facial acne to participate in a six-month treatment study of a marketed medication. Ten visits are necessary to complete the study. Those eligible will receive a physical examination, Pap smear and blood tests at no cost. After completion of the study, participants will receive a monetary compensation of $90.

The investigators of this study are Gloria Bachmann, MD, Gary Ebert, MD, and Amy Pappert, MD. Call 732-235-7353 or 732-235-7925, Monday through Friday between 9 AM and 5 PM.

Depression and Somatization Treatment Studies
The Department of Psychiatry at UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in Piscataway is conducting treatment studies on depression and somatization. The depression study is seeking individuals who are experiencing persistent depressed moods or loss of interest. Eligible individuals will receive 16 free psychotherapy sessions - one per week - during the study. Its purpose is to assess how effectively the therapy reduces feelings of depression.

Individuals with multiple unexplained physical symptoms may be eligible to participate in the somatization treatment study. It involves 10 weekly sessions of a cognitive behavior therapy that teaches patients methods for reducing their discomfort and coping with their symptoms. Participants will be evaluated before treatment, after it is completed and again six and 12 months later.

Michael Gara, PhD, is the study investigator for the Depression Treatment Study and the Somatization Treatment Study is under the direction of Lesley A. Allen, PhD.

For more information on both studies, contact Lesley A. Allen at 732-235-4412.

Psoriasis
The Clinical Research Center at UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in New Brunswick is seeking volunteers with psoriasis to participate in research studies being conducted at the school. Eligible participants will receive physical examinations by board-certified dermatologists, laboratory tests and medication at no cost. Some programs have monetary compensation.

The studies are under the direction of Alice B. Gottlieb, MD, PhD. For further details and to find out if you qualify, call study coordinator Amelia Sherr, RN, at 732-418-8474.

New Medication for High Blood Pressure and Diabetic Kidney Disease
Hypertension specialists at UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in New Brunswick are conducting a three-year study to evaluate the effect of a new investigational medication for diabetic kidney disease for individuals with Type II adult onset diabetes. To be eligible, the participants must be between the ages of 30 and 70, have Type II diabetes, high blood pressure and protein in their urine. The purpose of the study is to determine the investigational medication's ability to reduce the rate of progression of renal disease and other problems associated with diabetic nephropathy.

The second study is to compare the ability of an investigational medication to reduce the amount of protein in the urine with a medication currently on the market to treat high blood pressure. The study is for 16 weeks and those eligible must be 18 or older with hypertension and Type II diabetes.

For both studies, participants will receive study medications, physical exams, blood pressure monitoring and laboratory tests, EKGs and chest x-rays at no cost. Monetary compensation is available to those who complete the studies.

Both studies are under the direction of the principal investigator, Michael C. Ruddy, MD. For more information on both studies, call Noreen Bradley, RN, at 732-235-7825.

Hypertension
Volunteers age 18 and older with high blood pressure are being sought to participate in a study. It will evaluate the effectiveness of a new investigational medication and its effect on hypertension in individuals with increases in blood pressure due to increases in salt. The study is being conducted at UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School by the Section of Hypertension in New Brunswick. It is approximately eight weeks long and requires some overnight visits in the Clinical Research Center. Participants who complete the study will receive monetary compensation up to $1,200.

A 12-month study is also being conducted at the school. The purpose of the study is to determine the safety and effectiveness of a new investigational medication for those who have primary hypertension. Participants will receive study medication, physical exams, blood pressure monitoring and laboratory tests at no cost.

Michael C. Ruddy, MD, is the principal investigator for the Hypertension Study and the 12-month study is under the direction of Grace B. Bialy, MD. For additional information on both studies, call Noreen Bradley, RN, at 737-235-7825.