Clinical trials

The purpose of this study is to determine how polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) impacts overall brain health, such as cerebral blood flow (CBF), brain structure and connectivity, and cognitive performance. 45 reproductive aged (18-45 years) individuals with ovaries, with and without PCOS, will be enrolled to complete brain structure and CBF scans via magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) over 2 testing visits and can expect to be on study for approximately 5 hours over a 1 to 3 month period.

Participants with metastatic cancer who are taking anti-PD-1 or anti-PD-L1 therapy will be enrolled to assess the safety of and find the optimal dose for radioactive imaging agents and to explore whether these agents will make current drug therapies work better. Up to 60 participants will be enrolled and can expect to be on study for up to 9 months.

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are directly related to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, and impaired vascular endothelial function (VEF) is an independent predictor of future cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk \[1, 2\]. Previous work from our lab (IRB 202010095) and others \[3\] demonstrates impaired VEF in young adults with prior exposure to ACEs even in the absence of clinical CVD risk factors. Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) is a class III histone deacetylase (HDAC) that plays a role in regulating vascular homeostasis and reductions in SIRT1 are associated with age-related endothelial dysfunction \[4\]. We have shown that ACEs-related impairments in VEF are accompanied by reductions in SIRT1 \[5\]. However, the mechanisms by which ACE exposure promotes VEF remain unknown. The goal of this project is to establish proof of concept that alterations in vascular SIRT1 expression and activity mediate premature vascular aging in individuals with \>=4 ACEs compared to those with 0 ACEs and that, because NAD+ is an essential substrate for SIRT1, increasing NAD+ bioavailability will restore VEF in those with \>=4 ACEs. Thus, we will use a robust translational approach coupling in vivo and in vitro measures of endothelial function, inflammation, oxidative stress, and SIRT1 expression and activity in young adults with (n=30-35) versus without (n=30-35) ACE exposure in a cross-sectional study, and during a randomized controlled trial employing a novel 4-week nicotinamide riboside (NR) supplementation approach to increase SIRT1 activity by increasing cellular NAD+ in ACE+ (n=15/group) to accomplish the following specific aims: 1. Determine the mechanisms by which ACE exposure alters the regulation of VEF by SIRT1. We hypothesize that compared to those without ACEs (ACE-), ACE+ will have (H1a) elevated endothelial oxidative stress and inflammation, (H1b) accompanied by reduced endothelial SIRT1 expression and increased p66SHC expression and acetylation of p65 and p53, (H1c) in association with lower VEF. 2. Determine how targeting SIRT1 by increasing NAD+ bioavailability affects VEF in young adults with ACEs. We hypothesize that systemic NR supplementation will (H2a) augment cellular SIRT1 activity and (H2b) improve VEF in ACE+. \[1\] Felitti, V.J., Anda, R.F., Nordenberg, D., Williamson, D.F., Spitz, A.M., Edwards, V., Koss, M.P., \& Marks, J.S. (1998). Relationship of childhood abuse and household dysfunction to many of the leading causes of death in adults: The adverse childhood experiences (ace) study. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 14(4), 245-258. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0749-3797(98)00017-8. \[2\] Jenkins, N.D.M., \& Robinson, A.T. (2022). How do adverse childhood experiences get under the skin to promote cardiovascular disease? A focus on vascular health. Function (Oxf), 3(4), zqac032. PMC9279110. 10.1093/function/zqac032. \[3\] Rodriguez-Miguelez, P., Looney, J., Blackburn, M., Thomas, J., Pollock, J.S., \& Harris, R.A. (2022). The link between childhood adversity and cardiovascular disease risk: Role of cerebral and systemic vasculature. Function. 10.1093/function/zqac029. \[4\] Thompson, A. M., Wagner, R., \& Rzucidlo, E. M. (2014). Age-related loss of SirT1 expression results in dysregulated human vascular smooth muscle cell function. American Journal of Physiology-Heart and Circulatory Physiology, 307(4), H533-H541. \[5\] Jenkins, N.D.M., Rogers, E.M., Banks, N.F., Tomko, P.M., Sciarrillo, C.M., Emerson, S.R., Taylor, A., \& Teague, T.K. (2021). Childhood psychosocial stress is linked with impaired vascular endothelial function, lower sirt1, and oxidative stress in young adulthood. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol, 321(3), H532-H541. PMC8461842. 10.1152/ajpheart.00123.2021

The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate the safety and tolerability of injecting certain cells produced in bone marrow called mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) into salivary glands. The main question it aims to answer is whether injection of MSCs into salivary glands results in any improvement in dry mouth. Participants will: * have bone marrow collected using a needle * undergo a salivary gland ultrasound * complete questionnaires * receive an injection of the bone marrow cells into a salivary gland

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn more about how the food and nutrition babies receive while in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) influences their ability to gain weight and fat-free mass, and their future growth and development. Participants will: * have body growth measurements collected using the PEAPOD device * have nutritional information collected, and * be followed for neurodevelopmental outcomes Participants can expect to be in the study for 36 months.

The purpose of this observational study is to test a shoe mounted gait monitoring device that was refined with the input of older adults and assess the efficacy of the refinements through a series of tests that involve walking with and without the device.

The purpose of this clinical trial is to learn about the impact of the Healthy Minds Program (HMP) on measurements of well-being. The main question it aims to answer is: * Does use of HMP reduce symptoms of depression? Participants will complete a 4-week well-being program.

The goal of this study is to test the feasibility and acceptability of an Interactive Media Use Journal (IMUJ) co-developed with youth. This study is part of a larger effort using Intervention Mapping to co-develop this resource, test it for feasibility and acceptability via this proposed protocol, and then eventually disseminate the resource in partnership with the American Academy of Pediatrics. 50 participants between the ages of 13-18 will be recruited for this study

The purpose of this randomized behavioral clinical trial is to examine whether a well-being intervention can improve both psychological well-being and physical outcomes in adults with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). The study aims to assess whether this intervention decreases anger, anxiety, and depression; increases self-esteem, empathy, and hope; and improves quality of life indicators such as IBS symptom severity, sleep quality, fatigue, and diet. Participants can expect to be on study for up to 9 months.

The goal of this clinical trial is to see if a mobile phone app can deliver depression treatment to African Americans who are depressed. The main question it aims to answer is if this treatment is effective in reducing symptoms of depression. Participants will attend six 90-minute weekly classes via an app on their phone, and will be asked to complete surveys every week. Participants can expect to be in the study for four months.

The purpose of this study is to see whether an adapted questionnaire called the Care Partner Hospital Assessment Tool (CHAT) for care partners of hospitalized patients living with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) (CHAT-AD) can help people with dementia receive better care after they go home from the hospital. Participants will be a care partner ('family member or friend') who provides unpaid care to a hospitalized adult relative or partner to help them take care of themselves because of dementia. Participants can expect to be in this study for 14 days.

This study to evaluate the leak integrity of the LapBox Manual Containment System for laparoscopic hysterectomy and myomectomy. The goal is to determine the integrity of this containment system in order to increase surgical safety. 30 adult females who require laparoscopic hysterectomy or myomectomy for management of uterine fibroids will be enrolled and will be on study the day of surgery.

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if a mindfulness skills training program has mental health benefits for people returning to the community following incarceration. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Does mindfulness skills training improve symptoms of anxiety and depression? * Do participants find this mindfulness program to be acceptable and feasible to participate in? Researchers will compare outcomes for participants in the mindfulness training program to those in a waitlist control group who will receive the mindfulness program after the end of the study. Participants will: * Complete an initial intake visit, consisting of an interview and questionnaires * Randomly be assigned to a mindfulness group or a waitlist control group * Participate in weekly mindfulness classes for 6 weeks (mindfulness group only) * Complete a set of questionnaires after the conclusion of the mindfulness classes * Complete a set of questionnaires and an interview 2 months after the conclusion of the mindfulness classes

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn about the role that inducing neuroplasticity (the brain's ability to adapt and change) plays in the behavioral effects of psilocybin in people who have experienced a mild decline in emotional wellbeing. Researchers will compare different doses of psilocybin combined with midazolam or placebo to see what dose induces increased wellbeing. Participants will: * Receive one of four possible combinations of medications * Undergo an MRI * Complete questionnaires * Undergo transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and EEG

The purpose of this research is to evaluate whether adding histotripsy to maintenance durvalumab increases immune response and to assess the safety of this combination for participants with advanced intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA). Histotripsy is a non-invasive, non-thermal treatment that uses focused ultrasound energy to destroy tumor tissue. 12 people will be enrolled in this study.

The goal of this work is to evaluate the use of ecological momentary assessments as a tool to assess risk and risk factors for tick encounters and tick-borne diseases. This study will be conducted across the United States, with a focus the upper Midwest and Northeast and with a focus on Wisconsin and will enroll up to 1000 people.

This is a study comparing 3 years of retrospective data (pre-implementation) to 2 years of prospective data after the implementation of a pediatric version of Electronic Cardiac Arrest Risk Triage (pediatric eCART), a clinical decision support (CDS) tool that uses electronic health records (EHR) to identify patients with high risk for life threatening outcomes. Up to 30,000 encounters with pediatric patients will be assessed. Acceptability of the pediatric eCART intervention will also be measured from pediatric nurse clinicians.

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if the hips of people who undergo revision hip arthroscopy look different from the hips of people whose hip pain is resolved with the first hip arthroscopy and of people who choose the steroid injection for pain management. Participants will complete one PET/MRI scan.

Researchers are doing this study to better understand how certain treatment planning and clinical workflow software systems support the delivery of standard-of-care proton radiation therapy. The main question it aims to answer is how well the software works in the workflow. Participants will receive proton therapy.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the impacts of informal educational tools used by the Midwest Center of Excellence for Vector-Borne Disease in collaboration with the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. Children aged 6-12 will receive an educational activity about ticks. They will be asked questions before and after the activity and will participate for between 30-60 minutes.

This study to find out whether a type of non-invasive electrical brain stimulation called transcranial electrical stimulation with temporal interference (TES-TI) can temporarily change brain activity during sleep-especially sleep spindles (brain rhythms in the \~8-16 Hz range). The investigators are focusing on the thalamus, a deep brain region that helps coordinate brain activity during non-REM sleep. Sleep spindles are often reduced in schizophrenia, so this study is to see whether TES-TI can change spindle activity in individuals with schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSD) and in healthy adults. To study this, a structural MRI scan will be used to customize where the stimulation electrodes are placed, and then TES-TI will be applied during one of two overnight sleep lab visits while brain activity is recorded with high-density EEG and standard sleep sensors. The other overnight is a baseline/control night during which only sham stimulation is delivered. The goal is to determine whether TES-TI during sleep can increase spindle-frequency activity in this population.

This study is to find out whether a type of non-invasive electrical brain stimulation called temporal interference transcranial electrical stimulation (TI-TES) can temporarily change brain activity during sleep, especially sleep spindles (brain rhythms in the \~8-16 Hz range). Up to 24 healthy participants in Dane County, Wisconsin will be enrolled for 3 overnight study visits. Participants can expect to be on study for approximately 5 weeks, depending on scheduling availability.

The goal of this clinical trial is to study whether researchers can create a patient-specific tumor system, called a culture vessel, in a timely manner and determine if it can predict how someone will respond to a specific therapy. Participants will: * Undergo a research biopsy * Take pembrolizumab per standard of care prior to surgery

The goal of this clinical trial is to find out whether a type of electrical brain stimulation, called temporal interference stimulation, can temporarily change the way different parts of the brain communicate with each other. Participants will: * Complete two stimulation phases - overnight and during wakefulness * Undergo two MRIs per study phase

The purpose of this study is to assess if the application of Mastisol, a liquid adhesive, improves outcomes during bilateral clubfoot casting and reduces complications and development of complex clubfoot for the duration of their casting and up to 5 years follow-up.