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

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

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

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

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

The investigators are conducting a two-site randomized control trial with the aim of defining the impact of music (M) without or with parent voice (MPV) on very preterm infants' acute and cumulative stress, intranetwork connectivity on term brain MRI, and language and other neurodevelopmental outcomes at two years corrected age. This is based on the hypothesis that infants in MPV arm are expected to experience the greatest benefit compared with infants receiving standard care.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: May 2025

open study

To determine the safety and efficacy of GIE Medical's ProTractX3™ TTS DCB for the treatment of recurrent benign bowel strictures.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Nov 2023

open study

This study is examining collecting data on steps walked (ambulation) per day by thoracic surgery patients over the age of 65 years-old before surgery. The name(s) of the study device involved in this study is: - Fitbit inspire

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Aug 2021

open study

This study originally included 140 subjects with medication-refractory depression undergoing 10 Hz transcranial magnetic stimulation (10Hz-TMS) to the left dorsal lateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), with the goal of having 60 completers with good quality data. Subjects were recruited from the TMS clinics at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Brigham & Women's Hospital, and Butler Hospital. Subjects underwent an hour-long MRI scanning session, an optional DNA-sample collection, up to three 20 minute neuronavigation sessions for marking the site of TMS stimulation, questionnaires, and a behavioral testing battery before and after their TMS treatment course. The task battery included the Emotion Conflict Resolution (ECR) task, Multi-Source Interference Task (MSIT), War Game (Gambling) task, and Associative Learning with Reversal task. Subjects' scores on the Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology (QIDS) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) were assessed before and after the TMS course. MRI data was utilized to identify brain regions whose connectivity to the stimulation site co-varies with the aforementioned measures of symptom improvement. This was the only study group until August 30, 2022, and the primary outcome was analyzed for the 10Hz-TMS group. Due to changes in clinical standard of care from 10Hz-TMS to a newer version of TMS termed intermittent theta burst (iTBS), in September 2022 a second group was added to include patients receiving this new form of TMS. This second group included another 100 patients with medication-refractory depression undergoing iTBS to the left dorsal lateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), with the intent to have 80 completers. Massachusetts General Hospital was added as a data collection site in lieu of Butler Hospital. Subjects will undergo an hour-long MRI scanning session, up to three 20 minute neuronavigation sessions for marking the site of TMS stimulation, questionnaires, and a behavioral testing battery before and after their TMS treatment course. The task battery will included the Emotion Conflict Resolution (ECR) task, Multi-Source Interference Task (MSIT), Penn Emotion Recognition Test, the Suicide/Death Implicit Association Test, and Associative Learning with Reversal task. Subjects' scores on the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) were assessed before and after the TMS course. MRI data will be utilized to identify brain regions whose connectivity to the stimulation site co-varies with the aforementioned measures of symptom improvement. Due to a higher dropout rate than anticipated, in March of 2025 an amendment was added to include an additional 20 subjects in the second group's enrollment goal to increase the likelihood of achieving 80 completers.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Apr 2018

open study

Only subjects that have completed TILS-021, a Phase 2a Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Multicenter Dose-Ranging Study of Nasal Foralumab in Non-Active Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis Patients are eligible to be enrolled in TILS-022. TILS-022 is a 6-month open-label extension study with an opportunity for dose to be escalated based on the subject's clinical status. All subjects initiate dosing in this trial at a dose of nasal foralumab 50 µg 3 days a week (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday) for 2 weeks, followed by a 1-week rest, comprising a 3-week cycle. At week 12, the dose may be escalated to 100 µg according to pre-defined dose escalation rules. Study TILS-022 is intended to ensure all participants in TILS-021, a placebo-controlled study, will be able to receive open-label nasal foralumab for 6 months. The option to extend this trial for longer than 6 months will be explored with FDA by the Sponsor.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Mar 2025

open study

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a highly prevalent disorder that has major consequences for cardiovascular health, neurocognitive function, risk of traffic accidents, daytime sleepiness, and quality of life. For years, a "classic" model of OSA has been used to describe the disorder, which fails to capture it's complexity. Recently, a model for OSA called drive-dependent OSA was discovered be more prevalent in the OSA population. The drive-dependent subgroup benefits exclusively from increased ventilation, increased dilator muscle activity, and reduced event risk when drive spontaneously rises. This study seeks to provide direct evidence that reducing the loss of drive prevents the loss of ventilation, pharyngeal muscle activity, and thus the onset of OSA respiratory events, specifically in "drive-dependent" but not "classic" OSA. This will be achieved using CO2 delivered at precise times during breaths in sleep to prevent loss of overall ventilatory drive.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Mar 2024

open study

Small fiber neuropathy affects millions of peoples worldwide. The neuropathy is causing disabling burning pain and dysautonomia such as dizziness with standing, brain fog, fatigue, constipation, too much or too little sweating. The detection of nerve damage is complicated and not widely available; it requires either skin biopsy or specialized equipment and training. This project utilizes the mathematical processing of skin pictures for the purpose to extract the statistical features related to loss of small fibers. This approach can improve the availability of diagnosis of small fiber neuropathy.

Type: Observational

Start Date: Jul 2021

open study

This research study is a pilot clinical trial, which hypothesizes that the combination of electromagnetic tracking in conjunction with laparoscope imaging and ultrasound probe imaging will aid in reducing the complexity of both laparoscopic lymphadenectomy and/or organ removal in patients with a confirmed diagnosis of cancer in urologic regions of interest (Bladder, Prostate, Testicular, Kidney, Urethral, and Penis), by resulting in better visualization and more accurate localization of certain areas in the diseased organ or the diseased lymph node, and allowing for improved surgical and patient outcomes, fewer complications and better clinician performance.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Aug 2023

open study