Brigham Research Institute (BRI) - Brigham and Women's Hospital

People with chronic kidney disease (CKD) often experience faster aging of the heart and blood vessels, which raises the risk of heart problems beyond traditional factors like high blood pressure or cholesterol. One early sign is reduced blood flow in the tiny vessels that supply the heart, measured by a positron emission tomography (PET) scan using a marker called myocardial flow reserve (MFR). In CKD, ongoing inflammation and abnormal blood vessel growth can damage these small vessels, leading to heart stiffness and weaker heart function. A kidney transplant offers a unique chance to study how better kidney function and reduced inflammation affect heart health. The observational RESTORE study ("Impact of Renal Transplant on Coronary Microvascular Function in Patients with Advanced CKD") will measure heart blood flow and function before and after transplant. The study will test whether: 1. Inflammation and abnormal vessel growth are linked to poor heart blood flow and heart function in CKD. 2. Kidney transplant improves heart blood flow and function. 3. Lower inflammation after transplant leads to better heart health. By understanding how kidney disease and inflammation affect the heart-and how transplant may reverse these effects-this research could help guide future treatments to better protect heart health in patients with CKD.

Type: Observational

Start Date: Mar 2023

open study

The goal of this observational study is to measure shear wave velocity (SWV) in patients with non-reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) heart failure and left ventricular hypertrophy, with or without transthyretin amyloidosis with cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM), and in control subjects without heart failure or cardiomyopathy. The main question it aims to answer is: • Can SWV be used to measure myocardial and liver stiffness in the study's target populations? Researchers will compare patients with ATTR-CM, patients without ATTR-CM, and a control group to determine the distributions of SWV in each population. Participants will: - Have a standard cardiology assessment, including a physical exam, blood work, and an echocardiogram. - Undergo an investigational assessment with the eMyosound LYRA device to measure SWV in their myocardium and liver. - Have the investigational assessment repeated by a second observer to assess measurement reliability.

Type: Observational

Start Date: Sep 2025

open study

Foralumab is a human anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody being developed for the treatment of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. The goal of this Phase 2a, randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled, multicenter dose-ranging study is to evaluate the use of nasal foralumab in patients with non-active secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS). The primary objectives that this study aims to answer are: 1. To determine the safety and tolerability of 50 μg/dose and 100 μg/dose of foralumab nasal compared to placebo 2. To investigate the effect of foralumab relative to placebo on the change from baseline [18F]PBR06-positron emission tomography (PET) scans for microglial activation, after 12 weeks (3) months of study treatment.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Nov 2023

open study

The hypothesis of this research protocol is that the investigators will be able to redesign the manner in which upper limb amputations are performed so as to enable volitional control of next generation prosthetic devices and restore sensation and proprioception to the amputated limb. The investigators will test this hypothesis by performing modified above elbow or below elbow amputations in ten intervention patients, and compare their outcomes to ten control patients who have undergone tradition amputations at similar levels. The specific aims of the project are: 1. To define a standardized approach to the performance of a novel operative procedure for both below elbow (BEA) and above elbow amputations (AEA) 2. To measure the degree of volitional motor activation and excursion achievable in the residual limb constructs, and to determine the optimal configuration and design of such constructs 3. To describe the extent of proprioceptive feedback achievable through the employment of these modified surgical techniques 4. To validate the functional and somatosensory superiority of the proposed amputation technique over standard approaches to BEA and AEA 5. To develop a modified acute postoperative rehabilitation strategy suited to this new surgical approach This will be a phase I/pilot clinical trial to be performed over a three-year period as a collaborative initiative involving Brigham & Women's Hospital/Brigham & Women's Faulkner Hospital (BWH/BWFH), Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC), and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). The investigators will plan to perform 6 of the 10 amputations at BWH/BWFH, and 4 of the amputations at WRNMMC.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: May 2019

open study

The investigators have developed a new technology, termed in-vivo laser capture microdissection (IVLCM), that addresses the limitations of endoscopic biopsy for screening for BE and provides targeted genomic profiling of aberrant tissue for more precise prediction of EAC risk. The device is a tethered capsule endomicroscope (TCE) that implements optical coherence tomography (OCT) to grab 10-mm-resolution, cross-sectional microscopic images of the entire esophagus after the capsule is swallowed. This OCT-based TCE technology is used in unsedated patients to visualize images of BE and dysplastic BE. During the IVLCM procedure, TCE images of abnormal BE tissue are identified in real time and selectively adhered onto the device. When the capsule is removed from the patient, these tissues, targeted based on their abnormal OCT morphology, are sent for genomic analysis. By enabling the precise isolation of aberrant esophageal tissues using a swallowable capsule, this technology has the potential to solve the major problems that currently prohibit adequate BE screening and prevention of Esophageal Adenocarcinoma EAC.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Dec 2017

open study

The goal of this research is to test a distal scanning capsule and a compact redesigned version of the OFDI imaging system in healthy and BE participants to assess ease of use, safety and feasibility in preparation for its use in a multicenter clinical trial.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Apr 2016

open study

The purpose of this study is to identify individuals 18 or older who have diagnostic presentation of adhesive capsulitis and randomize them into two arms, distinguished by use of physical therapy and steroid injections compared with steroid injections followed by watchful waiting. This prospective study will be used to determine whether there is a significant impact on patient outcome and whether the additional financial burden is justified. There are no experimental interventions for this study. The use of physical therapy, oral and parenteral corticosteroids, and watchful waiting are offered following the standard of care for adhesive capsulitis. Our hypothesis is that patients will not have a significant difference in outcome between the two study arms. One group will undergo regular physical therapy with corticosteroid injections (Arm 1) and the other will have steroid injections during the inflammatory phase only and then be regularly observed (Arm 2). We also hypothesize there will be a significant financial burden associated with the PT arm that is not justified with the possibility of increased symptom reports in that arm.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Nov 2014

open study

The investigation is an early feasibility study in up to 5 subjects, in which the primary objective is to capture preliminary safety and effectiveness information on the Magnetic Bead Tracking system.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Sep 2025

open study

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if a computer alert can aid clinicians in identifying patients with a genetic type of high cholesterol, called Familial Hypercholesterolemia. The main question it aims to answer is whether the computer alert increases recognition of this high cholesterol disorder.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Apr 2025

open study

This single-center, 400-patient, randomized controlled trial assesses the impact of a patient- and provider-facing EPIC Best Practice Advisory (BPA; alert-based computerized decision support tool) to increase guideline-directed utilization of statin and statin-alternative oral LDL-C lowering therapies in patients with PAD who are not being prescribed LDL-C-lowering therapy.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Mar 2023

open study

The goal of this study is to see whether kisspeptin, a naturally occurring hormone, can stimulate the release of other reproductive hormones in men and women with idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (IHH). The investigators are also examining whether kisspeptin can help women release eggs from their ovaries. Kisspeptin will be administered SC for two weeks in a pulsatile fashion. Ultrasound monitoring of ovarian follicular growth (for women) and frequent blood sampling (every 10 minutes for up to 70 minutes) will be performed to assess the physiologic response to kisspeptin over time. Funding Source: FDA OOPD

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Feb 2023

open study

The goal of this study is to see if patients with myeloproliferative disorders are able to successfully complete the Cardiac Lifestyle Program(CLP). The goal of the CLP is to teach patients how to become more active and eat healthier foods. The name of the intervention used in this research study is: Cardiac Lifestyle Program (a 12-week, tailored nutrition and physical activity program)

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Mar 2024

open study

The goal of this clinical trial is to test the effects of dietary composition on the rhythms of food intake, appetite regulation, and rhythms of energy expenditure. Participants will: complete 2 field-based dietary interventions be provided with standard meals record daily food intake in a real-time manner complete 2 inpatient stays be provided with standard meals have frequent blood draws provide urine, saliva, and stool samples

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Nov 2024

open study

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a way of non-invasively stimulating specific brain networks and is an established treatment for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). This proposal will reveal network mechanisms of the therapeutic effects of rTMS by investigating how stimulating each network specifically changes network connectivity and behavior. This will be done in a highly individualized manner in depressed and healthy patients, leading to more effective and more individualized treatments for depression.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Mar 2024

open study

This study is designed to assess how healthy premenopausal women respond to different patterns of sleep loss at different times in the menstrual cycle.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Oct 2022

open study

The aim of this study is to learn whether the early initiation of a specialized and focused type of radiation called stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) will impact the progression of advanced adenoid cystic carcinoma, quality of life, and overall survival. The name(s) of the study intervention involved in this study is: - Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT)

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Dec 2021

open study

The 'CRS validation project' consists of a joint effort of 32 medical centers in Europe, the USA, and South Africa to carry out the validation of 2 novel questionnaires designated to measure self-perceived severity and control of Chronic Rhinosinusitis (with or without nasal polyps). This study will validate translated versions of the same set of questionnaires simultaneously in the centers involved after recruiting a total of 1000 patients, while data collection, statistical analysis, and creation of the study report will be carried out by the statistical department of the University of Leuven. Patients will be recruited from the regular ENT practice of their hospital to minimize the complexity of the study.

Type: Observational

Start Date: Sep 2024

open study

This research study is studying troriluzole as a possible treatment for recurrent glioblastoma. The name of the study drug involved in this research study is: -Troriluzole (a tripeptide prodrug of riluzole)

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Feb 2025

open study

This research is being done to test a program to assess and manage reversible cardiovascular (CV) risk factors in participants with prostate cancer starting androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), with the goal of integrating a standardized method into Dana-Farber Cancer Institute clinics for all such participants. The name of the intervention used in this research study is: CV Care (cardiovascular risk assessment and management program)

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jan 2024

open study

The goal of this clinical trial is to test whether food timing impacts metabolic health in healthy participants. Participants will: - complete 2 inpatient stays - be provided with test meals - have frequent blood draws

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Dec 2024

open study

The goal of this research study is to evaluate the safety and tolerability of tremelimumab and durvalumab with or without Selective Internal Yttrium-90 Radioembolization (SIRT) in participants with resectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who will undergo liver surgery. The names of the interventions involved in this study are: - Durvalumab (a type of immunotherapy) - Tremelimumab (a type of immunotherapy) - Selective Internal Yttrium-90 Radioembolization (SIRT) (a type of radiation microsphere bead)

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Apr 2023

open study

RADIANT is a network of 14 clinical sites and several laboratories dedicated to the study of atypical diabetes. The objective of this study is to define new forms of diabetes and the unique mechanisms underlying these forms of atypical diabetes. The specific aims are to: 1. Identify and enroll individuals and families with undiagnosed rare and atypical forms of diabetes. 2. Determine the etiologic basis of the metabolic disorder among individuals and families with novel forms of rare and atypical diabetes. 3. Understand the pathophysiology of individuals and families with novel forms of rare and atypical forms of diabetes.

Type: Observational

Start Date: Sep 2020

open study

The goal of this research is to better understand how different CPAP mask designs affect airflow and rebreathing of exhaled carbon dioxide (CO₂) during sleep in individuals with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

Type: Interventional

Start Date: May 2025

open study

This project aims to collect detailed clinical data, blood samples, and patient-reported outcomes from 2,600 lung transplant candidates, donors, and recipients at Lung Transplant Centers. The goal is to create a robust resource for various research objectives, including studying the impact of variations in donor and medical practices on clinical outcomes. The project also seeks to identify serum biomarkers associated with or predictive of specific post-transplant complications and conditions.

Type: Observational

Start Date: Sep 2024

open study

A prospective, multi-center, noninferiority randomized controlled trial designed to compare the efficacy of UI-EWD (Nexpowder™) hemostatic powder versus conventional endoscopic hemostatic therapy in patients presenting with acute overt gastrointestinal bleeding which is found at endoscopy to be due to one of the following sources: a gastric or duodenal ulcer with active bleeding (spurting or oozing) or a non-bleeding visible vessel; an esophageal, gastric or duodenal tumor with active bleeding or a non-bleeding visible vessel; a gastric or duodenal Dieulafoy lesion with active bleeding or a non-bleeding visible vessel; or an actively bleeding Mallory-Weiss tear.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jun 2024

open study