Boston University - Clinical & Translational Science Institute

The primary purpose of this study is to assess the efficacy and safety of the etonogestrel (ENG) contraceptive implant during participants' fourth and fifth years of use when used as the only method of contraception. The ENG implant is currently approved for a 3-year duration, and this study aims to confirm available evidence suggesting that the ENG implant remains highly effective when used up to 5 years.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Nov 2020

open study

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of repurposed medications (study drug(s) in reducing symptoms of non-hospitalized participants with mild to moderate COVID-19. Participants will receive either study drug or placebo. They will self-report any new or worsening symptoms or medical events they may experience while taking study drug or placebo. This study is intended to be all remote with no in person visits, unless the study team feels it is in the best interest of a participant to see them in person.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jun 2021

open study

Since its launch in 2004, the overarching aim of the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) has been realized in informing the design of therapeutic trials in AD. ADNI3 continues the previously funded ADNI-1, ADNI-GO, and ADNI-2 studies that have been combined public/private collaborations between academia and industry to determine the relationships between the clinical, cognitive, imaging, genetic and biochemical biomarker characteristics of the entire spectrum of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The overall goal of the study is to continue to discover, optimize, standardize, and validate clinical trial measures and biomarkers used in AD research.

Type: Observational

Start Date: Oct 2016

open study

Purpose: About 6.4% of the U.S. population suffers from posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Trauma-focused psychotherapies are generally effective in PTSD, but responses vary greatly across individuals and PTSD subpopulations. Neurobiological factors impacted by life experiences, stress, and genetics can affect treatment responses. These factors can alter brain capacities needed to reprocess traumatic memories prevent them from triggering intensely distressing, disruptive, out-of-place responses. For example, during psychotherapy for PTSD, trauma memory activation engages two competing brain processes that affect recovery: "extinction" versus "reconsolidation" of trauma-related emotional, physiological, and behavioral responses. This study tests whether a single intravenous (IV) dose of allopregnanolone (Allo) compared to placebo (which is non-active): 1. promotes consolidation of extinction learning (sub-study 1) or 2. blocks reconsolidation physiological responses triggered by aversive memories (sub-study 2). The study also tests whether Allo compared to placebo affects retention of non-aversive memories.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Mar 2022

open study

The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the impact of treating opioid use disorder (OUD) in pregnant women with extended-release buprenorphine (BUP-XR), compared to sublingual buprenorphine (BUP-SL), on mother and infant outcomes. The primary hypothesis is that the BUP-XR group will not have greater illicit opioid use than the BUP-SL group during pregnancy (non-inferiority).

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jul 2020

open study

The primary purpose of this study is to determine whether treatment with lecanemab is superior to placebo on change from baseline of the Preclinical Alzheimer Cognitive Composite 5 (PACC5) at 216 weeks of treatment (A45 Trial) and to determine whether treatment with lecanemab is superior to placebo in reducing brain amyloid accumulation as measured by amyloid positron emission tomography (PET) at 216 weeks of treatment (A3 Trial).

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jul 2020

open study

This is an open-label, multi-center, randomized phase II study comparing the Y90 TARE followed by bevacizumab and atezolizumab treatment to the Y90 TARE treatment alone in unresectable advanced stage HCC.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Nov 2020

open study

The purpose of this study is to investigate several approaches for improving spatial perception and speech intelligibility in multitalker listening situations for hearing-aid users. The hypotheses are that spatial perception and speech intelligibility will be improved by (1) increased high-frequency audibility, (2) speech envelope enhancement, and/or (3) appropriate sound image externalization.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Dec 2021

open study

The purpose of this study is to conduct a randomized clinical trial for an innovative intervention entitled "Mastering the World of Work" (MWW). MWW aims to improve the employment outcomes of individuals with psychiatric disabilities who experience metacognitive deficits. Metacognitive deficits are represented in diminished capacity to form an integrated sense of self and others and respond to challenges in life. The randomized trial (N=60) will be conducted with recipients of Supported Employment (Individual Placement and Support) services at the Mental Health Center of Greater Manchester, in Manchester, NH. Given COVID-19 safety considerations, the MWW intervention will be delivered in a hybrid manner depending on the preferences of both clinicians and clients at the MHCGM at any given point of the study. The feasibility of remote delivery of the intervention has been established as part of a pilot study conducted at BU CPR. Thus, clinicians may deliver the intervention using HIPAA-complaint ZOOM connection and/or in person. The assessments will be administered at baseline, 6, 12, and 18 months post baseline remotely by BU staff using a HIPAA-complaint ZOOM connection. The RCT will establish preliminary evidence about the incremental effectiveness of the MWW intervention to improve the employment outcomes of individuals with metacognitive deficits who receive high fidelity IPS services. Study participants randomized to the control condition will receive IPS services as usual.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jun 2022

open study

Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) have changes in blood vessel health that can lead to a higher chance of developing heart attacks or strokes. New medications for T2DM including dapagliflozin, which is a Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter-2 inhibitor (SGLT2) inhibitor, may help protect the heart and blood vessels. The overarching objective of this mechanistic study is to learn how a Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter-2 (SGT2) inhibitor, dapagliflozin, impacts vascular health in patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). The investigators will compare the changes in vascular health to changes in endothelial cell (EC) phenotype including non-coding RNA (ncRNA) to develop evidence supporting the mechanism of cardiovascular benefit of SGLT2 inhibitors. This study will provide novel information regarding the mechanism of effects of novel treatments for endothelial function and vascular health in patients with T2DM to reduce cardiovascular (CV) risk. The research aims to assess the: - effects of dapagliflozin on EC phenotype. - impact of dapagliflozin on vasodilator function and additional measures of vascular health including arterial stiffness and circulating markers of vascular health.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: May 2022

open study

The treatment of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) in an accessible manner represents an unmet need for those with cardiovascular disease (CVD), given that patients with CVD experience numerous barriers for in-person treatment engagement. The research plan for the proposed pilot project will entail: (1) open study of the acceptability of the digital intervention (N=5), followed by (2) recruitment and randomization of 90 individuals with a history of acute CVD events and clinical levels of GAD symptoms to dCBT or a waitlist (Control) condition, using a 1.5:1 allocation (dCBT:Control).

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Feb 2022

open study

A multi-center, randomized, prospective, non-significant risk study to compare the impact of the FreeStyle Libre Flash Glucose Monitoring System with and without a food logging smartphone application on reducing time above 180 mg/dL in subjects with type 2 diabetes who are not adequately controlled on their existing oral anti-diabetes medication regimen.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Apr 2021

open study

This is a Phase 1/2/3 study in healthy children and young adults. Dependent upon safety and/or immunogenicity data generated during the course of this study, and the resulting assessment of benefit-risk, the safety, tolerability, and immunogenicity of BNT162b2 in participants <6 months of age may subsequently be evaluated.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Mar 2021

open study

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a type of high blood pressure in the arteries that carry blood from the heart to the lungs. PAH occurs when the openings in the blood vessels of the lungs get smaller and smaller. These smaller openings can be caused by the following: - The walls of the arteries tightening - The walls of the arteries becoming stiff and narrow from an overgrowth of cells The increased pressure in the pulmonary arteries strains the right side of the heart and it begins to fail, causing difficulty breathing and other symptoms. As PAH progresses, symptoms get worse. There is no cure for PAH, but several medications like endothelin receptor antagonists (ERAs), prostacyclin analogues (PCAs) and riociguat, a soluable guanylate cyclase stimulator, are available to help slow the progression of changes in the pulmonary arteries and help reduce symptoms. Riociguat can be taken together with ERAs and PCAs. In this study, the researchers want to learn about how well riociguat works, how safe it is when patients take it in 1 of these ways: - alone - with ERA - with PCA - with ERA and PCA The dosage for each patient will be decided by their doctor. The researchers will review information collected from the patients who have decided with their doctor to start riociguat treatment for their PAH. The study will include about 500 patients in the United States who are at least 18 years old. All of the patients will have either just started taking riociguat or will have been taking it for less than 3 months No investigational products will be administered in this study. Patients will be treated with the Standard of Care (SOC) for PAH. The SOC is the currently appropriate treatment in accordance with scientific evidence and agreed upon in collaboration between medical experts for PAH. There will be no study-mandated visits or treatments. The patients will be in the study for up to 2 years. During this time, they will visit their doctor every 3 to 6 months as part of the Standard of Care. At these visits, the patients will answer questions about their PAH symptoms and whether they have any medical problems. They will also do exercise tests to see how well they are able to breathe and how tired they get while exercising. The doctors will perform other usual examinations which are part of the Standard of Care such as echocardiograms (images of the heart to show how the heart is working) and a right heart catheters (to measure the pressures in the heart) and will take the usual blood and urine samples.

Type: Observational

Start Date: Jul 2021

open study

This study is being conducted to assess the acceptability and feasibility of a randomized trial of a 10 week virtual intervention to reduce fall risk in people with HIV who consume alcohol. The hypothesis is that this randomized trial of the fall prevention intervention will be found to be feasible and acceptable in this pilot stage. Standardized assessments will be administered in-person at Boston University Medical Campus to assess various domains including fall risk, fear of falling, physical performance measures (such as grip strength, balance, and gait speed), substance use, and other related measures. The intervention has 3 main components: home exercises, virtual group sessions and weekly phone check-ins. Home exercise will be customized to match the current fitness level of participants. Participants will be asked to complete assigned exercises 3 times per week. Additionally, there will be a weekly virtual group session led by an Occupational Therapist trained in group facilitation via Zoom. The virtual group sessions will be used to help answer any questions and lead a discussion around challenges related to falls. Finally, a member of the research team will check-in with participants once per week to answer any remaining questions that participants have, provide individual feedback on exercises, and set up reminders for the upcoming week. Reminders will be tailored to the individual participant's needs to remind the participant to complete the intervention's components.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Oct 2021

open study

Individuals with schizophrenia spectrum disorder (SSD) often face unique barriers that limit the development of long-lasting lifestyle changes. In this study, The investigators will investigate the feasibility and impact of a novel lifestyle intervention in individuals with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. The intervention will be composed of group fitness instruction and educational nutrition didactics that will be accessible to participants at-home through remote streaming. The fitness component will consist of weekly group fitness sessions delivered by a certified personal trainer over a virtual interface. The educational nutritional component of this intervention will involve interactive didactic sessions designed to improve knowledge of nutrition and positively change dietary behavior in this population.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Oct 2021

open study

This is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, repeat-dose, multicenter trial. Participants will be screened within 4 weeks prior to the Baseline (Day 1) Visit. Approximately 300 participants who meet the trial eligibility criteria will be randomized on Day 1 in a 1:1:1 ratio to receive HZN-825 300 mg QD, HZN-825 300 mg BID or placebo for 52 weeks. The trial will include up to a 4-week Screening Period and a 52-week Double-blind Treatment Period. Participants will take their first dose of trial drug at the clinic and will return to the clinic for trial visits at Week 4 and every 6 weeks thereafter until Week 52. All participants who complete the Double-blind Treatment Period (Week 52) will be eligible to enter a 52-week extension trial (HZNP-HZN-825-302, NCT not available yet). Participants not entering the extension will return to the clinic for a Safety Follow-up Visit 4 weeks after the last dose of trial drug.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Apr 2021

open study

Alcohol use is a significant problem among Latinxs and immigration-related stress increases risk for substance use. A theoretically-based cultural adaptation of motivational interviewing (CAMI) that specifically integrated discussion of immigration-related stressors (e.g., stigma, social isolation) resulted in significant reductions in alcohol-related harms for those Latinx heavy drinkers with high discrimination compared to standard MI, and reduced anxiety and depressive symptoms one year later compared to MI. Rigorous tests that examine theoretically-informed adaptation of efficacious addiction interventions are not common, yet are needed to advance implementation science. This Hybrid Type 1 Effectiveness-Implementation study will investigate the feasibility of implementing CAMI in a real-world clinical setting. The key questions are: Would CAMI have positive effects among individuals who use both drugs and alcohol? How do providers view this intervention? The investigators will collaborate with a primary care center that serves a mainly Latinx client population to train their Community Wellness Advocates (CWAs) to deliver CAMI to patients who are heavy drinkers. The investigators will conduct a concurrent investigation on the process of implementing CAMI in primary care - a two-arm randomized clinical effectiveness trial will enroll Latinx heavy drinkers (18 years or older) in primary care who use alcohol (and may use other drugs) - and follow them for 12 months after the intervention. Specific Aims are: (1) To examine the impact of CAMI plus a booster session (vs. assessment only) on outcomes: % heavy drinking days, frequency of alcohol-related consequences, depressive/anxiety symptoms, and number of illicit drug use days, using a Hybrid Type 1 Effectiveness-Implementation design and (2) To gather indicators of implementation outcome from multiple stakeholders using a mixed-methods approach. The investigators will follow Curran's framework to evaluate the process of implementation and Proctor's framework to measure implementation outcomes. This study, a first to examine the acceptability of culturally-adapted addiction treatments in primary care settings, will answer essential questions on implementing evidence-based care for Latinxs that can improve health disparities related to substance use. Long term goals are to translate the lessons from this Hybrid study to the broader community to focus on population health for all primary care patients.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Mar 2022

open study

A multicenter, adaptive, randomized platform trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of antithrombotic strategies in patients with COVID-19 following hospital discharge

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Feb 2021

open study

Directly examine whether early (6-month) imaging with DaTscan and [¹⁸F] AV-133 will provide an early signal of disease progression in recently diagnosed untreated PD patients.

Type: Observational

Start Date: Sep 2020

open study

This is a randomized, open label, adaptive platform trial to compare the effectiveness of antithrombotic and additional strategies for prevention of adverse outcomes in COVID-19 positive inpatients

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Sep 2020

open study

The Parkinson Progression Marker Initiative 2.0 (PPMI 2.0) is a longitudinal, observational, multi-center natural history study to assess progression of clinical features, digital outcomes, and imaging, biologic and genetic markers of Parkinson's disease (PD) progression in study participants with manifest PD, prodromal PD, and healthy controls The overall goal of PPMI 2.0 is to identify markers of disease progression for use in clinical trials of therapies to reduce progression of PD disability.

Type: Observational

Start Date: Jul 2020

open study

This randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled Phase 3 study is designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of maternal immunization with RSVpreF against medically attended lower respiratory tract illness (MA-LRTI) in infants.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jun 2020

open study

The primary objective of this randomized trial is to determine whether comprehensive, accessible, and animation-style videos are a more effective method of therapeutic patient education (TPE) based on clinical outcomes than paper handouts in Spanish and English-speaking communities. The clinical outcomes being measured are the severity, sleep affected by atopic dermatitis (AD), and the amount of itch experienced.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jul 2022

open study

This study will test the hypothesis that in patients with previous daratumumab exposure, combination therapy of daratumumab, pomalidomide, and dexamethasone (DPd) will yield higher complete remission (CR) rates in relapsed/refractory amyloidosis than historical pomalidomide/dexamethasone treatment.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Apr 2021

open study