Vanderbilt University Medical Center

This study is testing if applying a special gel called polyethylene glycol (PEG) during phalloplasty surgery can help nerves heal better and improve sensation in the new phallus. The goal is to enhance both touch and sexual sensation, which is a top priority for patients, and imp…

This study is testing whether theophylline, a medication long used for asthma, can help manage symptoms of a rare genetic condition called pseudohypoparathyroidism. Researchers are giving the drug to 29 children and young adults with the condition for one year to see if it helps …

This study is testing if a daily checklist helps doctors decide when patients can safely stop using a life-support machine called ECMO. Researchers will compare this daily protocol to usual care in 225 adults on ECMO across multiple hospitals. The goal is to see if the checklist …

This study looks at patients with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis who are switching from receiving their vedolizumab medication through intravenous (IV) infusions at a clinic to giving themselves subcutaneous (SC) injections at home. Researchers will review the medical reco…

This study is testing if a special high-flow nasal cannula (a comfortable tube that delivers warm, moist oxygen) is better than usual care at helping high-risk heart surgery patients breathe on their own after their breathing tube is first removed. It aims to see if this method r…

This study is testing the safety of a new 'laryngeal pacing' device for people with paralyzed vocal cords. The device uses mild electrical stimulation to help open the vocal cords during breathing, aiming to improve airflow without damaging the person's voice or ability to swallo…

This study is testing whether nicotine patches can help improve mood and thinking problems in older adults with depression. It is an extension of a previous trial, allowing participants to continue using the patches for up to 12 more weeks to gather more information on safety and…

This study is testing whether a special coaching program can help African American patients on dialysis attend their treatments more regularly. Researchers are comparing patients who receive motivational interviews from trained coaches to those who do not. The goal is to see if t…

This study is testing if a specific treatment plan for water pills (diuretics), guided by a simple urine sodium test, works better than standard emergency room care for people with sudden worsening of heart failure. About 474 patients will be randomly assigned to get either the n…

This study is testing whether helping people with basic life needs—like getting enough food, stable housing, or transportation—can improve their health. It focuses on adults with type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure or cholesterol. Doctors will screen patients for these social…

This study is testing if adding nitric oxide gas to the heart-lung machine during surgery helps protect babies' brains and kidneys. It involves infants under 1 year old who need surgery to fix a congenital heart defect. Researchers will measure specific proteins in the blood befo…

This study aims to see if a proven team-based care program can be successfully used at other hospitals to save the lives of pregnant women with sickle cell disease and their babies in Ghana. It will enroll 500 pregnant women with sickle cell disease at three hospitals to receive …

This study is testing if storing kidneys from deceased donors at 10°C (50°F) instead of the usual 4°C (on ice) helps them work better after being transplanted. Researchers will compare the two storage methods in 30 adult patients receiving a kidney transplant. The goal is to redu…

This study is testing whether using a patient's own blood during surgery for advanced kidney cancer can reduce the need for donor blood transfusions. Researchers are comparing standard blood management to techniques that collect and reuse the patient's blood during the operation.…

This study is testing if a medication called deutetrabenazine can help improve speech clarity and walking stability in people with Huntington's disease. Over two years, 30 participants will have their speech and movement carefully measured before and after starting the drug. The …

This study is testing whether a phone-based coaching program can help young adults with type 1 diabetes use their continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) more regularly. The program involves monthly coaching calls and text message support for the person with diabetes, with the option …

This study is testing whether a one-day schedule of non-invasive brain stimulation can improve thinking and memory problems in people with schizophrenia. Researchers will deliver magnetic pulses to a specific brain network involved in attention and compare effects in 40 people wi…

This study is testing a personalized mobile phone program designed to help adults manage type 2 diabetes. Over 500 participants will be randomly assigned to receive either this 12-month program—which includes coaching calls, daily texts, and goal-setting support—or standard educa…

This study is testing whether theophylline, a medication long used for asthma, can help children with a rare genetic disorder called pseudohypoparathyroidism. Researchers want to see if the drug helps with weight loss, slows bone maturation to allow for more growth, and reduces t…

This study aims to find out if using a smaller or larger breathing tube during emergency intubation leads to better long-term recovery for critically ill adults. Over 3,000 patients in emergency departments and intensive care units will be randomly assigned to receive one of two …

This study is testing if a medication that increases dopamine, a key brain chemical, can help older adults with depression who also experience slowed thinking and movement. Researchers will give participants either the medication (L-DOPA) or a placebo for short periods to see if …

This pilot study is testing if the medication Tirzepatide can help people who still have significant obesity (BMI over 30) one year after having gastric bypass surgery. It will compare the weight loss and body composition changes in 30 people taking the drug for 24 weeks to those…

This study is testing whether a program of brain-training computer games and guided physical exercise, done before and after major surgery, can help older adults protect their thinking skills and ability to live independently. Researchers are comparing this combined program to si…

This study is comparing two different blood tests used to monitor a common blood thinner (heparin) given to hospitalized patients to treat or prevent dangerous blood clots. Researchers want to see which test helps patients reach the correct, safe level of medication in their bloo…

This study is testing if adding a low dose of the blood thinner rivaroxaban to standard aspirin therapy helps improve blood vessel health and reduce harmful blood clotting in people with peripheral artery disease (PAD). Researchers are enrolling 75 adults with PAD to see if the d…

This study is testing if adding a liquid nitrogen spray during a standard airway-opening procedure helps keep the airway open longer. It involves 40 adults with benign airway narrowing who need a procedure to restore their breathing. Researchers will compare the standard procedur…

This study is testing a new mobile phone program called STRIDE, designed to help adults with type 2 diabetes better manage their condition. The program provides support and aims to improve blood sugar control by involving a close friend or family member. Researchers want to see i…

This study aims to develop comfortable, non-invasive tests to diagnose swallowing problems. Researchers will test new electrical and magnetic recording methods on 90 adults with swallowing difficulties and healthy volunteers. The goal is to create better diagnostic tools that don…

This study is testing a computer tool called SIGHT that scans children's existing electronic health records to predict if they might have an undiagnosed genetic disease. The goal is to see if alerting doctors to these predictions helps families decide on genetic testing sooner an…

This study compares two advanced technologies used to biopsy suspicious spots in the lungs. Researchers want to see whether a robotic system with 3D imaging or an electromagnetic navigation system gets better tissue samples for diagnosis. The trial involves 440 adults who need a …

This study aims to find the most effective flu shot strategy for adults who recently received a kidney, heart, or liver transplant. Researchers are comparing different vaccine doses and schedules to see which provides the strongest immune protection. The goal is to better prevent…

This study aims to prevent strokes in young Nigerian adults with sickle cell anemia, where strokes affect 10% of patients. Researchers will measure how common strokes and silent brain injuries are in 250 participants aged 16-25, then test whether regular blood transfusions or a d…

This study is testing if omega-3 fatty acid supplements (like fish oil) can help pregnant women who smoke. Researchers want to see if these supplements can lead to healthier, longer pregnancies and possibly help reduce smoking. The trial involves 400 pregnant smokers who will rec…

This study tests a personalized program called COACH that teaches Latino families with young children how to overcome daily barriers to healthy eating and activity. It works with both parents and children together to prevent obesity by building skills for the whole family. The pr…

This study is testing if teaching mothers about healthy, locally available foods can prevent malnutrition and help young children with sickle cell disease grow better. Community health workers will provide this education to mothers and compare the results to standard doctor advic…

This study is testing whether a medication called modafinil can help improve concentration and mental clarity in people with Postural Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS). Researchers are enrolling 20 adults with POTS to compare modafinil against a placebo and another medication. The goal…

This study is testing whether art therapy can help people with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP), a rare brain disorder. Researchers want to see if making art can improve patients' quality of life, ease their symptoms, and reduce stress for their caregivers. The study involves…

This study planned to compare two ways to help people with vestibular migraine, a condition causing severe dizziness and headaches. It aimed to see if a daily medication (amitriptyline) worked as well as a structured lifestyle program focusing on diet, sleep, and exercise. The tr…

This pilot study aims to compare two over-the-counter vaginal inserts (Poise Impressa and Revive) for managing stress urinary incontinence. Eighty women will test both devices at home over 20 days and report which they prefer and why. The research also explores if this type of we…

This study is testing whether giving an intravenous (IV) infusion of saline (salt water) can improve exercise capacity in people with Postural Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS). Researchers will compare exercise performance on a day when participants receive saline versus a day they re…

This study is testing if a blood pressure medication called moxonidine can reduce symptoms like rapid heartbeat, dizziness, and nausea when standing in people with Postural Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS). Researchers will give the medication to 48 participants with POTS for 4 weeks …

This study is testing if a drug called lanadelumab can prevent severe drops in blood pressure during dialysis. It involves 28 adults on regular dialysis who frequently experience this problem with symptoms like dizziness and cramps. Researchers will compare the drug to a placebo …

This study is testing if a medication called moxonidine can reduce symptoms like rapid heartbeat, dizziness, and nausea when standing in people with Postural Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS). Researchers will give the drug or a placebo to about 48 adults with a specific type of POTS t…

This study is testing if a phone-based health coaching program is a practical and helpful way to support people with chronic back pain after they visit the emergency room. Participants are randomly assigned to receive either the coaching calls or general education calls, in addit…

This study is testing whether a drug called memantine can safely help with the memory and thinking problems (often called 'brain fog') that many people with lupus experience. For 14 weeks, 111 participants with lupus and measured cognitive impairment will receive either memantine…

This study is testing whether a medication called donepezil can help adults with cochlear implants understand speech better. Donepezil is currently used for Alzheimer's disease and is thought to help the brain adapt to new sounds from the implant. Fifty participants will take eit…

This study aimed to find out if a steroid pill (methylprednisolone) could help people feel better after nose surgery (rhinoplasty). It planned to test if the pill reduced pain, nausea, swelling, and bruising in the days after the operation. The trial was withdrawn before any pati…

This study is testing whether connecting patients with a palliative care team before cancer surgery improves their experience. The team helps manage pain, fatigue, anxiety, and emotional distress. Researchers are comparing this early support to usual surgical care to see which le…

This study aims to understand how stimulating specific throat muscles affects airway collapse in people with obstructive sleep apnea. Researchers will test a muscle stimulator on 60 adults during a standard sleep endoscopy procedure. The goal is to gather basic measurements about…

This study is tracking 3,294 people who had ACL reconstruction surgery to understand what factors affect their long-term recovery. Researchers are following patients for 2 to 20 years after surgery to identify what patient characteristics, injury details, and surgical decisions l…

This research study aims to develop better MRI scanning methods to examine the pancreas in people with type 1 diabetes. Researchers will scan 250 participants, including those recently diagnosed with diabetes, to understand how the pancreas changes during disease development. The…

This research aims to understand how weight loss surgery helps improve diabetes and metabolism by studying tissue samples from patients. Researchers will collect small samples of fat, muscle, liver, and intestine during scheduled medical procedures like endoscopies and surgeries.…

This study is creating a bank of leftover brain tissue, blood, and spinal fluid from patients undergoing brain surgery. The purpose is to collect and store these samples for future medical research on brain diseases. The study aims to help scientists better understand brain condi…

This study aims to create a collection of blood and tissue samples from people with and without lipedema. Lipedema is a painful fat buildup disorder, often misdiagnosed as obesity, that affects many women. Researchers will analyze these samples to find biological markers that cou…

This study is testing a web-based tool called MeTree that helps collect detailed family health histories from patients. The goal is to see if this tool helps doctors more efficiently identify people who may be at high risk for inherited cancers, so they can be offered genetic cou…

This research study aims to understand how everyday activities—like changing posture or drinking water—might cause temporary spikes in eye pressure. Researchers are enrolling 200 participants, including people with glaucoma and healthy volunteers, to measure these pressure change…

This trial aims to find out which of two common video laryngoscope blade designs helps doctors place a breathing tube more successfully on the first try in critically ill adults. It will enroll 2,500 adults in emergency departments and intensive care units who need a breathing tu…

This study aims to find out if some people with Postural Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) have specific immune proteins that might cause their symptoms. Researchers will measure these proteins in the blood of 58 people with POTS and healthy volunteers to see if they are linked to the …

This study aims to find out if people with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) are truly resistant to numbing shots (local anesthetics) used in dental work and minor surgeries. Researchers will compare pain responses in 230 participants, including both EDS patients and healthy volunteer…

This study aims to understand why some Parkinson's patients experience memory problems after receiving Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) therapy. Researchers will measure brain activity in 160 patients during and after their DBS surgery to identify specific signals linked to these cog…

This study aims to understand why many people develop long-term thinking and memory problems after surviving a serious injury and ICU stay. Researchers are following 432 trauma patients to see how factors like confusion in the hospital (delirium) and body-wide inflammation affect…

This study aimed to learn more about a specific nerve in the throat (the glossopharyngeal nerve) and see if electrically stimulating it during surgery could help keep the airway open. It planned to involve adults with sleep apnea who were already scheduled for surgery to remove a…

This study aims to understand why many intensive care unit (ICU) survivors develop long-term thinking and memory problems. Researchers followed 826 adult ICU patients to see if confusion during their stay (delirium) or strong sedative medications increase the risk of these cognit…

This study aims to understand why some patients develop serious complications after a major injury or invasive surgery. Researchers will observe 320 patients to see if early changes in blood clotting and inflammation are linked to later problems like infections, organ issues, or …

This study aims to understand the long-term health problems some people experience after having COVID-19, often called 'Long COVID.' Researchers will review the medical records of 500 adults who had COVID-19 and were treated at Vanderbilt clinics. The goal is to track recovery pa…

This study aims to understand how nerve signals that tighten blood vessels might contribute to insulin resistance, a condition common in obesity. Researchers will test if temporarily blocking these nerve signals in the arm improves blood flow and the body's ability to use insulin…

This study aims to find out how often people with Postural Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) also have a rare liver condition called acute hepatic porphyria (AHP). Researchers will study about 50 people with POTS to look for signs of AHP and compare their symptoms and hormone levels. T…

This study aims to understand what children with long-term health issues and pregnant women know and think about pharmacogenetic testing, which uses DNA to predict how a person might react to medications. Researchers will survey 500 participants before and after they receive thei…

This study aims to understand why some people who survive serious illness in intensive care units (ICUs) later develop problems with memory and thinking similar to dementia. Researchers will follow 567 new ICU patients and some previous study participants for up to 12 years, usin…

This study aims to understand how often patients develop throat injuries after having a breathing tube placed during intensive care. Researchers will examine 64 adult ICU patients who used breathing tubes for 1-7 days to check for injuries. They will also test whether two common …

This study is testing a new version of a common eye imaging machine, called Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), on healthy volunteers. The goal is to check the image quality and test new software to make the scanner faster and clearer. Researchers hope this improved technology wi…

This study aims to discover the genetic cause of PHACE syndrome, a rare condition. Researchers will collect cheek swabs from 50 people already diagnosed with PHACE for genetic analysis. The goal is to identify the specific gene or genes involved, which could improve future unders…

This study aims to understand if being physically active while in the hospital helps older adults recover better after a life-threatening illness. Researchers are tracking 312 patients with conditions like sepsis to see how their activity levels relate to their physical and menta…

This study aims to understand how brain surgery helps people with moyamoya disease, a condition where narrowed brain arteries increase stroke risk. Researchers will use MRI scans and cognitive tests to measure brain blood flow and function in 100 adults before and after their pla…

This study aims to understand stroke risk in adults with sickle cell disease, as current prevention guidelines are based on children's data. Researchers will follow 102 adults for several years, tracking who experiences strokes and monitoring brain health. The data collected will…

This study aims to validate a simpler blood test for measuring a protein called NET, which is thought to play a role in Postural Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS). Researchers will compare the new blood test results with older, more complex methods in about 200 people, including those …

This study aims to find a simpler way to identify people whose blood pressure is sensitive to salt. Researchers will test 20 adults with high blood pressure by carefully changing their salt levels in a hospital and measuring their blood pressure and immune cell responses. The goa…

This study aims to create a detailed map of the cells in the gut of people with Crohn's disease. Researchers will analyze small tissue samples from about 178 adults, both with and without Crohn's, using advanced lab techniques. The goal is to understand how the disease changes th…

This study is testing whether daily activity data from wearable trackers can better predict health outcomes for people with pulmonary hypertension than the standard six-minute walk test. Researchers will follow 230 participants for up to four years, having them wear activity moni…

This study aims to understand why many people with Tourette syndrome are overly sensitive to everyday sounds and touch, a condition called sensory over-responsivity. Researchers will recruit 50 adults with Tourette's to measure their brain activity and body responses while they l…