Vanderbilt University Medical Center

This study compares high-dose and standard-dose flu vaccines in adults who received a kidney, heart, or liver transplant within the past year. The goal is to see if a higher dose or two doses provide better protection against the flu. About 396 participants will be followed to me…

This study tests whether a drug called lanadelumab can prevent sudden drops in blood pressure that often happen during dialysis. About 28 adults on long-term dialysis will receive either the drug or a placebo. The goal is to see if blocking a natural chemical helps keep blood pre…

This study tests whether theophylline, a drug used for asthma, can help children with pseudohypoparathyroidism, a rare genetic disorder causing obesity, short stature, and hormone resistance. About 34 children aged 2 to 12 with obesity will receive theophylline to see if it promo…

This study tests whether adding a freezing spray (cryospray) to usual treatments can keep narrowed airways open longer in people with benign airway stenosis. About 40 adults will be randomly assigned to get either standard care alone or standard care plus cryospray. The goal is t…

This study tests a new device that electrically stimulates the voice box muscles in people with bilateral vocal fold paralysis, a condition where both vocal cords are stuck closed. The main goal is to see if the device is safe and can improve breathing and voice quality. Eight ad…

This study tests a special nail made from a material that integrates with bone to treat knee fractures caused by bone weakness (subchondral insufficiency). Ten adults aged 18-75 with knee pain for at least 3 months will receive the implant. Researchers will measure pain and funct…

This study tests whether theophylline, a drug used for asthma, can help with weight loss and blood sugar control in people with pseudohypoparathyroidism, a rare genetic condition. About 29 participants aged 13 and older with obesity will take the drug to see if it improves their …

This study tests a mobile phone program (MOSAIC) that changes over time to fit each person's needs, helping adults manage type 2 diabetes. About 547 participants will be assigned to either the phone program or printed materials for 16 months. Researchers will check blood sugar le…

This study compares a structured diuretic treatment plan guided by urine sodium levels to standard care for adults with acute heart failure in the emergency department. About 474 participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. The goal is to see if the urine-sodium-g…

This study looks at whether giving nitric oxide during heart-lung bypass surgery can protect the brain and kidneys of babies born with heart defects. About 50 infants under 1 year old will take part. Researchers will measure markers of brain and kidney damage before and after sur…

This pilot study tests whether the drug tirzepatide can help people with severe obesity lose more weight 12 months after gastric bypass surgery. About 30 adults will either take tirzepatide or continue standard care. Researchers will track weight changes and any stomach-related s…

This study tests whether deep brain stimulation (DBS) can improve thinking and memory in people with early Alzheimer's disease. Two participants will have electrodes implanted in a brain area that produces a key chemical for memory. The goal is to see if daily, one-hour stimulati…

This study looks at ways to reduce the need for blood transfusions during surgery for advanced kidney cancer. About 240 adults with large kidney tumors will be enrolled. The goal is to see if using special blood-saving techniques can lower the number of transfusions needed and im…

This study follows 1,756 adults who received either ketamine or etomidate during emergency breathing tube placement in the ICU or ER. Researchers want to see if ketamine can reduce PTSD symptoms one year later. PTSD is common after critical illness and can cause nightmares, anxie…

This study tests whether a special team of doctors and nurses can reduce deaths in pregnant women with sickle cell disease (SCD) and their babies. About 500 pregnant women with SCD in Ghana will receive coordinated care from SCD and pregnancy experts. The program focuses on preve…

This study tests a program called FAMS that enlists family or friends to help young adults (ages 18-24) with type 1 diabetes use their continuous glucose monitor (CGM) more regularly. About 140 participants who already use a CGM will be followed to see if the program improves how…

This study tests whether a special gel (polyethylene glycol) applied during phalloplasty surgery can help nerves grow back faster and improve feeling in the new penis. About 30 adult transmasculine volunteers will take part. The goal is to improve both touch and sexual sensation,…

This study looks at whether helping adults with type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure or high cholesterol meet their social needs (like food, housing, or transportation) can improve their health. About 4,800 participants will be screened during clinic visits and offered support…

This study tests a telemedicine tool called the TAP, which helps doctors spot signs of autism in toddlers (18-42 months old) during a video call. Researchers want to see if the tool is as accurate as an in-person exam and if families find it helpful. About 720 children and their …

This study explores whether electrical and magnetic recordings from outside the body can diagnose swallowing disorders like achalasia. Researchers will compare these new methods to standard tube-based tests in 90 adults. If successful, it could lead to a more comfortable way to d…

This study tests a computer program called SIGHT that uses existing health records to flag children who might have an undiagnosed genetic condition. The goal is to see if alerting doctors and families leads to quicker genetic testing and more diagnoses. About 1,000 children aged …

This study tests simple educational programs for parents of children aged 9 months to 3 years. The goal is to see if these brief lessons can help prevent cavities and reduce behavior problems. Researchers will track dental records and behavior outcomes for 750 children.

This study tests a personalized program to prevent childhood obesity in low-income Hispanic families. It involves 301 children aged 4-6 and their parents. The program helps families overcome unique barriers to healthy eating and activity, aiming for lasting behavior change.

This study looks at whether teaching mothers about nutritious local foods can prevent malnutrition in children with sickle cell disease (SCD) in northern Nigeria. Researchers will enroll 148 children aged 6 to 18 months and compare their growth and diet to those receiving standar…

This pilot study tests a mobile phone program called STRIDE that helps adults with type 2 diabetes get support from a close friend or family member. The goal is to see if the program is easy to use and helps with blood sugar management and emotional well-being. About 180 people w…

This study looks at whether nicotine patches can help improve mood and thinking in older adults (60+) with depression. Participants who completed a previous blinded trial will receive nicotine patches for up to 12 weeks. The goal is to see if the patches are safe and effective fo…

This study looks at whether remote health coaching, added to usual care, is a practical and helpful way to support people with chronic low back pain after they leave the emergency room. Forty adults with long-term back pain will either get coaching or extra education. Researchers…

This study explores whether art therapy can help people with progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) feel better and improve their daily life. Ten participants will take part in art sessions, and researchers will measure changes in quality of life, mood, and caregiver stress. The go…

This study tests whether nicotine patches can improve mood and thinking in adults aged 60 and older with depression. Researchers will measure changes in depression severity and brain activity using MRI scans over 12 weeks. The goal is to see if nicotine can help the brain's contr…

This study looks at whether moxonidine, a drug that lowers sympathetic nerve activity, can reduce symptoms like rapid heartbeat and lightheadedness in people with Postural Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS). About 48 women with POTS will take either moxonidine or a placebo for 4 weeks. …

This study was designed to see whether the drug amitriptyline or lifestyle changes work better for people with vestibular migraine, a condition that causes dizziness and headache. The plan was to randomly assign adults with definite vestibular migraine to one of the two treatment…

This study looks at whether a simple saltwater infusion (saline) can improve exercise ability in people with Postural Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS). About 40 adults with POTS will have their peak oxygen use measured after receiving either saline or a placebo on separate days. The g…

This study aimed to see if taking oral steroids after nose surgery (rhinoplasty) could reduce pain, nausea, swelling, and bruising. It was designed for adults having their first nose surgery, but the study was withdrawn before any participants were enrolled. No results are availa…

This study tests whether adding esophageal dilation (stretching the throat) to standard botox injections improves swallowing more than botox alone in adults with achalasia, a rare condition where the esophagus doesn't relax properly. About 50 people who cannot have more invasive …

This study looks at whether adding a palliative care team early—before surgery—helps people with cancer feel better physically and emotionally. About 236 adults having certain abdominal cancer surgeries will either get standard care or standard care plus extra support from a pall…

This study looks at whether increasing the backup pacemaker rate to 100 beats per minute improves blood flow in adults with cardiogenic shock and a naturally slow heart rate. Participants are already in the cardiac ICU with a permanent pacemaker and a monitoring catheter. Each pe…

This study tests whether donepezil, a drug used for Alzheimer's, can improve speech understanding in adults with cochlear implants. About 50 participants will take either the drug or a placebo for 3 months while increasing their implant use. The goal is to see if the drug helps t…

This study tests whether personalized motivational coaching can help African American patients on dialysis attend all their sessions and feel more in control of their health. About 176 adults who sometimes miss or shorten their dialysis will be randomly assigned to receive coachi…

This study looks at whether deutetrabenazine can improve speech clarity and walking ability in people with Huntington disease. About 30 adults with early to moderate symptoms will take the drug and be tested on reading sentences and walking. The goal is to see if the drug helps w…

This study compares two store-bought devices for stress urinary incontinence (leaking urine when coughing, sneezing, or exercising). About 80 women will try both devices over 20 days and report which they prefer. The goal is to see if a web-based study is practical and what facto…

This study enrolls 20 healthy adults to test a new version of an eye imaging device called optical coherence tomography (OCT). The goal is to improve image quality and speed so that eye diseases can be detected earlier. Participants have no eye problems and will not receive any t…

This study looks at how common strokes and silent brain injuries are in young adults (ages 16-25) with sickle cell anemia in northern Nigeria. Researchers will use brain scans and ultrasound to check for damage and also look at other risk factors like high blood pressure or diabe…

This study looks at how salt affects immune cells and blood pressure in people with high blood pressure. Researchers want to find a simpler way to diagnose salt sensitivity by checking immune cell activity. About 20 adults with high blood pressure will take part in a salt-loading…

This study looks at how changing your body position or drinking water can cause temporary spikes in eye pressure. Researchers will measure eye pressure in healthy volunteers and people with glaucoma or autonomic dysfunction. The goal is to understand how these everyday activities…

This study looks at whether the type of breathing machine setting used in the intensive care unit (ICU) affects how well patients recover. Researchers will switch the ventilator mode used across entire ICUs every two months and track outcomes like days alive without a breathing m…

This study aims to find the genetic cause of PHACE syndrome, a rare condition. Researchers will analyze DNA from 50 people diagnosed with PHACE. Participants must also have an eye exam. The goal is to identify genes that may be responsible for the syndrome, which could lead to be…

This study looks at whether giving parents a special journal to write in while their child is in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) can lower their stress and help them feel more involved. About 75 parents of children in the PICU will use the journal and answer surveys abou…

This study follows older adults who were in the ICU for serious illness to see how much they moved during their hospital stay and how that relates to their ability to do daily activities, walk, and think clearly 3 and 12 months later. Researchers are observing 312 patients to ide…

This study was designed to explore how the glossopharyngeal nerve varies in shape and size, and whether electrically stimulating it could open the airway during surgery. It planned to enroll adults with head and neck cancer or sleep apnea, but was withdrawn before any participant…

This study looks at scar tissue that can form around cochlear implants over time, which may affect how well the device works. Researchers will check for scar tissue in 24 adults who are already having surgery to replace or fix their implant. The goal is to use this information to…

This study aimed to understand how common swallowing difficulties are in older adults after an ICU stay and how these problems affect recovery and quality of life. It planned to observe participants over time without providing any treatment. The study was withdrawn before enrolli…

This study explores whether creating a 3D map of a patient's tumor after surgery can help doctors plan radiation therapy more accurately. About 13 adults with head and neck cancer will have their standard radiation plan compared to one that includes the 3D map. The goal is to see…

This study looks at how a serious injury or time in the ICU might affect thinking and memory years later. Researchers are following 432 adults who were treated in the ICU for trauma or burns. The goal is to understand why some people develop long-term cognitive problems and how i…

This study looks back at medical records of 120 adults with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis who switched from intravenous to subcutaneous (under-the-skin) vedolizumab. Researchers want to see what dosing patterns doctors used and whether patients achieved remission. No new …

This study followed 826 adults who were in the ICU for serious conditions like respiratory failure or shock. The goal was to find out which factors, such as delirium or certain medications, might lead to long-term problems with thinking and memory. By identifying these risks, res…

This study looks at whether a simple blood test can measure how well the body clears a chemical called norepinephrine in people with Postural Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS). POTS causes a rapid heart rate and other symptoms when standing. The study involves 200 people, some with POT…

This study aims to find brain signals that show when deep brain stimulation (DBS) causes thinking problems in people with Parkinson's disease. Researchers will record brain activity during DBS surgery and in patients who already have a DBS device. The goal is to use these signals…

This study looks at how narrowed blood vessels may block insulin from working properly in people with obesity and insulin resistance. Researchers will temporarily block a nerve signal to see if it helps insulin open up blood vessels and improve glucose uptake. The goal is to bett…

This study compares two blood tests (PTT and anti-Xa) used to monitor the blood thinner heparin in hospitalized patients with blood clots. The goal is to see which test helps doctors adjust the medication to the right level more quickly. About 700 adults at Vanderbilt University …

This study follows 567 ICU patients to learn why some develop dementia years later. Researchers will use brain scans, spinal fluid tests, and brain donations to find injury patterns. The goal is to understand how critical illness affects thinking and memory over time.

This study looks at whether a program of computer brain games and supervised physical exercise, done before and after major surgery, can help older adults (60+) avoid problems with thinking and daily activities. 250 participants will be randomly assigned to either the full progra…

This study looks at how the body's natural emergency response (called the acute phase response) changes after a serious injury or major surgery. Researchers will measure inflammation and blood clotting markers in 320 trauma and surgery patients. The goal is to better understand t…

This study looks at how stimulating two tongue muscles (palatoglossus and genioglossus) affects airway collapse during a sleep endoscopy procedure. Researchers will measure airway size with and without stimulation in 60 adults with obstructive sleep apnea who cannot use CPAP. The…

This study aims to understand why many people with Tourette syndrome are overly sensitive to everyday sensations like touch or noise. Researchers will monitor brain activity, heart rate, and sweat responses in 50 adults with Tourette syndrome while they experience different sound…

This study tests if a non-invasive brain stimulation technique called cTBS can change brain activity and improve thinking in people with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. Researchers will compare brain scans and cognitive tests before and after treatment in 40 participan…

This study looks at whether using a smaller or larger breathing tube during emergency intubation helps critically ill adults breathe better 6 months later. About 3,180 patients in emergency rooms or ICUs will be randomly assigned to get a smaller or larger tube. The main goal is …

This study compares two types of video laryngoscope blades—hyperangulated and standard geometry—used to place a breathing tube in critically ill adults with acute respiratory failure. About 2,500 participants in emergency departments and intensive care units will be randomly assi…

This study checks if people with POTS (a condition causing rapid heartbeat upon standing) also have a rare liver disease called acute hepatic porphyria (AHP). About 70 adults with POTS will have blood work, genetic tests, and autonomic function tests in one visit. The goal is to …

This study uses advanced MRI scans to measure the size and texture of the pancreas in people with type 1 diabetes and other forms of diabetes. Researchers aim to develop standard methods for assessing the pancreas, which may help improve understanding of the disease. About 250 pa…

This study tracks how often people get voice box injuries after having a breathing tube for more than 24 hours in the ICU. Researchers will also test if a combination of two medicines (azithromycin and budesonide) can help heal these injuries and improve breathing. About 64 adult…

This study follows more than 3,000 people who had surgery for a torn ACL. Researchers want to see how things like activity level and other risk factors affect knee function, arthritis, and the chance of re-injury. Participants fill out surveys and get X-rays over time to track th…

This study follows 500 adults who had COVID-19 to learn about long-term health problems such as breathing trouble, lung scarring, and fatigue. Researchers will track recovery patterns and look at factors like age, sex, and other illnesses. No new treatment is given; the goal is t…

This study looks at why people with Postural Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) get a high heart rate and symptoms like dizziness when standing. Researchers will test a blood pressure drug called Moxonidine, which lowers nerve activity, to see if it helps reduce symptoms. The goal is to…

This study aims to understand how bariatric surgery affects the body's tissues, like fat, muscle, and liver, and how it improves insulin sensitivity. Researchers will collect tissue and blood samples from 500 adults undergoing surgery or other procedures. The goal is to learn the…

This study compares two high-tech methods for taking tissue samples from lung nodules: robotic-assisted bronchoscopy with cone beam CT imaging versus electromagnetic navigation with digital tomosynthesis. The goal is to see which approach more reliably collects diagnostic tissue.…

This study compares how people with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) and healthy volunteers respond to local anesthetics like lidocaine. Many EDS patients report that numbing shots don't work well, but there is little objective data. Researchers will measure pain levels after injecti…

This early-phase study uses advanced MRI to take pictures of the brain's lymphatic system—a network that clears waste—in people with Parkinson's disease and healthy volunteers. The goal is to see how this system works and whether it relates to brain health. The study involves 140…

This study follows 102 adults with sickle cell disease to track how often silent and overt strokes occur. Researchers use MRI scans and neurological exams to identify strokes and measure their impact on thinking skills. The goal is to gather the data needed to design future clini…

This study looks at how the body's natural healing response changes during different types of exercise. Researchers will measure blood markers in 35 healthy adults aged 18-29 at rest, while walking, running, and after a marathon. The goal is to find which exercise best helps the …

This study looks at 150 people who had bleeding around the brain from a burst aneurysm. Researchers collect spinal fluid and blood to find biological markers that might predict when blood vessels will spasm, how long until it happens, and how well standard treatments work. The go…

This study creates a collection of brain tissue samples from adults and children undergoing brain surgery. The samples are stored and used in future approved research studies to better understand brain diseases. No direct treatment is given; the goal is to provide a resource for …

This study aims to create a detailed map of cells in the gut of people with Crohn's disease and healthy volunteers. By analyzing tissue samples, researchers hope to understand how cell types change with disease activity. This knowledge may lead to new treatments in the future. Ab…

This study looks at whether giving each patient on a breathing machine a personalized oxygen target (based on their unique health data) leads to better outcomes than the usual one-size-fits-all approach. About 3,000 adults in the ICU will take part. The goal is to see if this tai…

This early-phase study tests whether a single dose of modafinil, a drug that promotes wakefulness, can improve concentration and mental clarity in people with Postural Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS). About 20 adults diagnosed with POTS will take the drug and then complete computer-b…

This study tests a web-based tool called MeTree that collects family health history to estimate a person's risk for inherited cancer. About 1,800 adults from three medical centers used the tool, and those found to be at high risk were offered genetic counseling. The goal is to se…

This study uses advanced MRI scans to measure blood flow in the brains of 100 adults with moyamoya disease, a condition that narrows major brain arteries and raises stroke risk. Participants will have scans and cognitive tests before and after their clinically needed surgery. The…

This study looks at 500 adults who had brain tumor surgery to find out if a lower or higher blood pressure target helps them recover faster. Doctors aren't sure what blood pressure is best after surgery, so this trial will compare a target of less than 140 mmHg versus less than 1…

This early-phase study looks at why people with HIV are more likely to develop fatty liver disease. Researchers think changes in gut bacteria may play a role. They will test if taking probiotics and prebiotic fiber can improve liver health in 63 participants.

This study looks at whether wearing an activity tracker (like a Fitbit) can give doctors a better idea of how patients with pulmonary hypertension will do over 12 weeks, compared to the usual walking test. About 230 people with this serious lung condition will wear the tracker an…

This study looks at what children with long-term health conditions and pregnant women know and think about pharmacogenetic testing—a type of genetic test that helps doctors choose the right medicines. About 500 participants will take surveys before and after getting their test re…

This study aims to find out if people with postural tachycardia syndrome (POTS) have higher levels of certain immune proteins that might affect their symptoms. Researchers will measure these proteins in blood samples from 58 participants, including those with POTS and healthy con…