UMDNJ Magazine - fall 2004 VOLUME 1 NUMBER 1

Healthy volunteers are needed for an acupuncture study at UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School. The goal of the study is to examine brain responses during acupuncture stimulation using functional MRI. Participants must be between the ages of 18 and 70 (female volunteers must not be pregnant). The study requires four one-hour sessions. Those who qualify will receive a copy of their MRI brain images at no cost.

Susan C. Feldman, PhD, Department of Radiology, is the principal investigator. For more information call Drs. Wen-Ching Liu at 973-972-2281 (wliu@umdnj.edu) or Susan Feldman at 973-972-4797 (sufeldma@umdnj.edu).

Cholesterol

The Preventive Cardiology Program at UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School is conducting a research trial called JUPITER. The goal of the study is to evaluate whether a recently approved cholesterol lowering statin medication will reduce the risk of heart attack or stroke in individuals with normal levels of cholesterol, but with high levels of C-Reactive Protein (CRP), a measure of inflammation. Qualifications for study participation include:

men must be age 55 or older;
women must be age 65 or older;
no prior history of heart attack, stroke, diabetes or chronic arthritis;
must not be taking hormone replacement therapy or any medications to lower cholesterol.

Participants will receive study-related medical exams, blood work (including CRP) and study medication. All study visits will be conducted at the Doctors Office Center (DOC), 90 Bergen Street, Suite 4200 in Newark.

Norman L. Lasser, MD, PhD, FAHA, director of the Preventive Cardiology Program, is the principal investigator. Call Roberta Silverberg at 973-972-6107 for additional information.

Type II Diabetes

The National Institutes of Health is doing a research study to find ways to reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke and other serious blood vessel problems for individuals who have Type II diabetes.

To be eligible to participate in the Action to Control Cardiovascular Risk in Diabetes study (ACCORD), participants must have Type II diabetes and meet one of the following criteria:

age 55 or older;
age 40 or older with previous heart attack, stroke or serious blood vessel problems.

Those who qualify will receive blood sugar and blood pressure or cholesterol medications, blood sugar testing supplies, regular medical follow-up, and counseling and education for healthy lifestyle choices.

Arnaud Bastien, MD, Department of Medicine at UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Camden, is the principal investigator. For more information call Cooper University Hospital at 856-968-7695.

Psychiatric Disorders

A research study investigating the potential for the development of cataracts in individuals with schizophrenia is being conducted at UMDNJ-School of Osteopathic Medicine in Cherry Hill. The study will be conducted over a two-year period and will require 28 visits.

To be eligible, participants must be between the ages of 18 and 65 and diagnosed with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. Participants will receive either seroquel or risperdal. Monetary compensation will be provided for time and travel.

David Rissmiller, DO, is the principal investigator. For more information call Louise at 1-888-602-9900.

Borderline Personality Disorder

Volunteers are needed to participate in a study conducted at UMDNJ-School of Osteopathic Medicine in Cherry Hill to assess whether the antipsychotic drug Zyprexa (olanzapine) will be effective in controlling symptoms of borderline personality disorder (BPD). To be eligible, volunteers must be between the ages of 18 and 65 and diagnosed with BPD. The study will last up to 24 weeks. Participants will be closely monitored by a faculty psychiatrist. They will receive study medication at no cost and will be compensated up to $600 upon completion of the study.

David Rissmiller, DO, is the principal investigator. For more information call Louise at 1-888-602-9900.

Alzheimer's Disease

UMDNJ-School of Osteopathic Medicine in Stratford is conducting clinical trials that researchers hope could alter the progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD), lead to the enhancement of treatment, or reduce the risk of dementia. The duration of the study is one year. The goal is to evaluate the effectiveness of leuprolide, an FDA-approved drug for treating hormone related conditions, in improving cognitive function and slowing the progression of Alzheimer's disease. Participants can remain on their current medications during the study.

Males age 65 or older with a prior diagnosis of probable mild to moderate AD can qualify. Participants will receive study medication every three months and meet with specially trained staff approximately nine times during the year for testing and evaluation.

Anita Chopra, MD, Center for Aging, is the principal investigator. To volunteer or learn more about the ALADDIN Alzheimer's disease study, call 856-566-6003.

Diabetes Mellitus

Volunteers age 18 and older with diabetes mellitus, who are experiencing pain in their feet, may qualify for a new drug therapy for painful diabetic neuropathy. If eligible, participants will receive a physical exam, study medication and relevant laboratory tests at no cost.

Stephen H. Schneider, MD, in the Department of Medicine at UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, is the principal investigator. For additional information call Shelley Greenhaus, RN, at 732-235-7751.

Type II Diabetes Mellitus

Volunteers are being sought to participate in an investigational drug study of a new diabetes pill for the treatment of Type II diabetes mellitus. The Department of Medicine at UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in New Brunswick is conducting the study. To be eligible, participants must be between the ages of 18 and 80. A physical exam, study medications and relevant laboratory tests will be provided at no cost. Upon completion, monetary compensation will be provided.

Stephen H. Schneider, MD, is the principal investigator. For more information call Shelley Greenhaus, RN, at 732-235-7751.

Osteoporosis

An osteoporosis research study is being conducted in the Department of Medicine at UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in New Brunswick. Generally healthy postmenopausal women who are not taking other drugs for osteoporosis may be eligible to participate. They may receive an investigational drug, bone density tests, calcium supplements and travel compensation. In addition, visits and evaluations may be required.

Stephen H. Schneider, MD, is the principal investigator. For more information call Shelley Greenhaus, RN, at 732-235-7751.

A Research Study for Postmenopausal Women

Postmenopausal women with hot flushes are needed to participate in an 18-week research study at UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in New Brunswick. The study requires six office visits. Volunteers must be willing to use a low dose hormonal patch to treat hot flushes. Those who qualify will receive study related examinations, mammogram, transvaginal ultrasound, electrocardiogram and blood tests at no cost. Participants will be compensated $50 for each completed visit.

Gloria Bachmann, MD, Women's Health Institute, is the principal investigator. For more information call study coordinator Diane Dawicki at 732-235-7353 or email dawickdm@umdnj.edu; or call the Women's Health Institute at 732-235-8664, Monday through Friday. All calls are confidential.

Vulvodynia Study

The Women's Health Institute at UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in New Brunswick is recruiting female volunteers between the ages of 18 and 80 who are experiencing chronic pain in the vaginal area, including burning, stinging, and/or tenderness that have lasted for at least six months, to participate in a four-month study. In addition, participants must not be currently involved in any other research study. Those who qualify will receive dietary counseling and physical exams at no cost. Upon completion of the study, monetary compensation of $90 will be provided.

Gloria Bachmann, MD, is the principal investigator. For additional information call 732-235-7799 or 732-235-7965, Monday through Friday between 9 AM and 4 PM.

Childhood Autism

Volunteers between the ages of 5 and 17 are needed to participate in a 12-week clinical drug study on autism in the Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in Piscataway. The purpose of the study is to explore treatment options for children with autism. To be eligible, participants must have a diagnosis of autism and they must be willing to undergo an interview. The interview and questionnaires may take four hours to complete. The interview can be completed at the second visit if necessary. Medication will be provided at no cost. Those who qualify will be closely monitored by the study doctor.

Sherie Novotny, MD, is the principal investigator. For more information call Kurt Bopp, clinical research coordinator, at 732-235-5690.

Bipolar Disorder

A research study of an investigational medication for children and adolescents between the ages of 10 and 17 is being conducted in the Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at UMDNJ-Robert Wood Medical School in Piscataway. To be eligible to participate, volunteers must have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder (manic depressive illness). In addition, they have experienced some or all of the following symptoms:

extreme shifts in energy, mood, or behavior (mood swings); difficulty functioning in school, with friends or at home; sleep changes; impulsivity; excessive irritability; inability or reduced ability to concentrate.

Participants will receive medical and psychological evaluations, treatment, investigational medication and close medical supervision at no cost.

Theodore Petti, MD, MPH, is the principal investigator. For more information contact Kurt Bopp at 732-235-5690.

Schizophrenia Research Study for Adolescents

The Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in Piscataway is doing a medical research study to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of an atypical antipsychotic medication for adolescents who have symptoms of schizophrenia. To participate, volunteers must be between the ages of 13 and 17, and be experiencing any of the following symptoms:

disorganized speech that is incoherent at times; seeing things that are not there; often appearing distracted; appearing to hear voices when no one is there; an inability to focus on tasks; disorganized thoughts and behaviors; social withdrawal; feeling like people are out to get them.

Health insurance is not needed to be eligible for participation. Qualified participants will receive study related medication and study related evalution - funded by a major pharmaceutical company.

The principal investigator is Theodore Petti, MD. For more information contact Kurt Bopp at 732-235-5690.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder

UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in Piscataway is conducting a study of investigational medications for treatment-resistant generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). To be eligible to participate, volunteers must suffer from excessive worry, nervousness, restlessness, irritability, sleeping problems and an inability to concentrate. All research care including an extensive psychiatric evaluation is provided at no cost. Participants will be paid $30 for each study visit.

Matthew Menza, MD, is the principal investigator. For additional information call Regine Rousso, toll free, at 1-877-RWJ-HOPE (1-877-795-4673).

Vitiligo

Astudy to determine the efficacy and safety of Etanercept (Enbrel ® ) to treat vitiligo (loss of normal skin color) is being conducted at the Clinical Research Center at UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in New Brunswick. The duration of the study is approximately seven months. Volunteers age 18 and older who have been diagnosed with vitiligo are eligible to participate.

The principal investigator is Alice B. Gottlieb, MD, PhD, director of the Clinical Research Center. For more information contact Nancy Olesinski at 732-418-8484.

Colorectal Cancer

Healthy volunteers at risk for colorectal cancer are needed for a clinical trial at The Cancer Institute of New Jersey in New Brunswick. The trial is looking to see if an aspirin-like drug or a substance found in curry and mustard can prevent the development of colorectal polyps.

A colorectal screening colonoscopy is provided to volunteers at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick as part of this investigation. Compensation is offered to offset the costs of participation.

Steven J. Shiff, MD, is the principal investigator. For more information contact The Cancer Institute of New Jersey at 1-866-654-9898 and select option #1.

Endometrial (Uterine) Cancer

The Cancer Institute of New Jersey (CINJ) in New Brunswick is testing whether a medicated intrauterine device can prevent endometrial cancer and precancer. MIRENA® is an intrauterine system that contains the medication levonorgestrel. It is usually used to prevent pregnancy and has been utilized for more than 12 years in Europe with minimal side effects. MIRENA® has demonstrated some efficacy in small studies. Potential participants must: be willing to have MIRENA® inserted and keep a record of vaginal bleeding; be between the ages of 40 and 50; and be obese. Women who are heavy are at increased risk of endometrial cancer. Participants will receive pelvic exams and endometrial biopsies at no cost. In addition, they will be seen at CINJ approximately seven times during the study.

Allison Wagreich, MD, is the principal investigator. For more information call CINJ at 1-866-654-9898.