Vanderbilt University Medical Center

This study compares high-dose and standard-dose flu vaccines in 396 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. Results will help improve vaccine recomme…

This study tracks how often people get voice box injuries after having a breathing tube for 1 to 7 days in the ICU. It also tests whether a 14-day course of budesonide and azithromycin can help heal those injuries and improve breathing. About 64 adults who had a breathing tube wi…

This Phase 2 trial tests whether semaglutide (Wegovy), a drug approved for diabetes and weight loss, can improve asthma control in 100 adults with obesity and persistent asthma despite using inhaled steroids. Participants receive weekly injections of semaglutide or a placebo for …

This pilot trial tests whether tirzepatide, a drug used for diabetes and weight loss, can help people who still have obesity one year after gastric bypass surgery. Thirty participants will either receive the drug or standard care. The study tracks weight changes and any stomach-r…

This study follows about 1,756 adults who were part of a larger trial and received either ketamine or etomidate during emergency intubation. Researchers want to see if ketamine can reduce PTSD symptoms one year later, since it may block the brain's formation of traumatic memories…

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 is testing whether giving each patient on a ventilator a personalized oxygen target (based on their unique health data) leads to better outcomes than standard care. Researchers will compare death rates and time spent on the ventilator between the two groups. The trial …

This phase 2 trial tests whether theophylline, a drug used for asthma, can help people with pseudohypoparathyroidism lose weight and improve blood sugar control. The study includes 29 obese participants aged 13 and older. Researchers will measure changes in body mass index and gl…

This phase 2 trial tests theophylline, a drug used for asthma, in 34 children aged 2 to 12 with pseudohypoparathyroidism, a genetic condition causing obesity, short stature, and hormone resistance. The study aims to see if theophylline can help with weight loss, slow bone growth …

This study tests whether motivational interviewing, a counseling style that encourages patients to find their own reasons for change, can help African American adults on hemodialysis attend all their sessions. 176 participants will either receive the coaching or standard care, an…

This study compares two methods for monitoring the blood thinner heparin in hospitalized patients with blood clots. One method uses a standard clotting test (PTT), while the other uses a newer test (anti-Xa). The goal is to see which method helps patients reach the right blood th…

This early-phase study tests whether taking prebiotic fiber and probiotics can improve fatty liver disease in people with HIV. Researchers believe changes in gut bacteria may contribute to liver problems. The trial involves 63 participants and measures liver fat and gut health ma…

This study tests a special care program for pregnant women with sickle cell disease in Ghana. A team of obstetric and sickle cell experts works together to prevent complications and reduce deaths. Researchers will track 500 women to see if this low-cost approach improves survival…

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 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 program that helps adults with type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol address social needs like food, housing, and transportation. About 4,800 participants will be screened during primary care visits and offered support from providers, care c…

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 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 whether using urine sodium levels to guide diuretic dosing improves outcomes for emergency department patients with acute heart failure. About 474 adults with fluid overload will be randomly assigned to either the urine-guided protocol or standard care. The goal …

This study tests special blood-sparing techniques during surgery for advanced kidney cancer. The goal is to reduce the number of donor blood transfusions patients need. About 240 adults with large kidney tumors will be randomly assigned to receive either the blood-sparing protoco…

This study tests a program called FAMS that helps young adults aged 18-24 with type 1 diabetes use their continuous glucose monitor (CGM) more often. Participants include 140 CGM users who also have high blood sugar or diabetes distress. The goal is to see if the program reduces …

This study tests whether a gel made from polyethylene glycol (PEG) can help nerves heal better after phalloplasty, a surgery that creates a penis for transgender men. Currently, many patients lose sensation in the new organ, causing distress. The gel is applied during surgery to …

This study tests whether adding nitric oxide gas to the heart-lung machine during surgery can reduce damage to the brain and kidneys in infants under 1 year old with congenital heart disease. Researchers will measure specific proteins in the blood before and after surgery and mon…

This study is testing a new, less invasive device that measures the health of the esophagus in people with acid reflux (GERD). Researchers will compare two versions of the device in 75 patients undergoing routine endoscopy. The goal is to see if this technology can diagnose GERD …

This study tests a telemedicine tool called the TAP, designed to assess autism symptoms in toddlers aged 18-42 months. Researchers will compare diagnoses made via video call with traditional in-person evaluations to see how accurate the tool is. The goal is to make autism diagnos…

This study aims to validate a blood test that measures NET mRNA levels as a simpler way to assess norepinephrine transporter function in people with Postural Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS). Researchers will compare these levels with traditional measures in 200 participants, includin…

This study tests two new, non-invasive ways to diagnose swallowing disorders (dysphagia) using skin electrodes and a magnetic sensor instead of a tube inserted through the nose. Researchers will compare these methods to the standard tube-based test in 90 adults. The goal is to se…

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 coaching program for low-income Hispanic families with young children (ages 4-6) to prevent obesity. The program helps families overcome daily barriers to healthy eating and physical activity. 301 parent-child pairs will be followed for several yea…

This study looks at whether nicotine patches can safely improve mood and thinking in adults aged 60 and older with depression. Participants who completed a previous blinded trial will wear a patch daily for up to 12 weeks, then taper off. The goal is to see if nicotine helps the …

This study tests whether nicotine patches can improve cognitive control (like focus and memory) and mood in adults aged 60 and older with depression. Sixty participants will wear either a nicotine or placebo patch daily for 12-15 weeks. Researchers will measure changes in depress…

This study looks at whether combining Botox injections with a balloon dilation of the esophagus works better than Botox alone for people with achalasia, a rare swallowing disorder. The trial enrolls 50 adults who are not healthy enough for more invasive treatments. Participants a…

This study tests whether increasing the backup pacing rate from 75 to 100 beats per minute improves blood flow in adults with cardiogenic shock who already have a permanent pacemaker. Twenty-five participants in the cardiac ICU will be exposed to both rates in random order, with …

This study tests whether remote health coaching can help people with chronic low back pain recover after an emergency department visit. Forty adults will receive either health coaching or education sessions over eight weeks. The main goal is to see if this approach is feasible an…

This study tests 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 evaluated using speech tests and motion capture technology. The goal is to see if …

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 tests whether moxonidine, a blood pressure medication that lowers sympathetic nerve activity, can reduce symptoms like rapid heartbeat and lightheadedness in people with Postural Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS). About 48 participants will take either moxonidine or a placeb…

This study looks at whether adding a palliative care team early, before surgery, helps cancer patients manage symptoms like pain, fatigue, and anxiety. About 236 adults having certain abdominal cancer surgeries will either get usual care or usual care plus palliative support. The…

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 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 pilot study tests a mobile phone program called STRIDE for adults with type 2 diabetes and a close friend or family member. The program includes monthly coaching calls and text message support to help with medication and goals. The study will enroll 180 people to see if the …

This study tests whether a simple IV infusion of saline (salt water) given a few hours before exercise can improve how long and how hard people with postural tachycardia syndrome (POTS) can exercise. Forty adults with POTS will exercise after receiving either saline or a placebo …

This early-phase study tests whether donepezil, a drug used for Alzheimer's, can improve speech recognition in adults who already use a cochlear implant. Researchers think the drug may help the brain adapt to the implant's signals. Fifty participants will receive either donepezil…

This study tests whether a type of brain stimulation called cTBS can improve thinking and memory in people with schizophrenia. Forty participants will receive targeted stimulation to a brain network linked to daydreaming and self-focus. The goal is to see if this changes brain ac…

This study tracks brain activity in 160 Parkinson's patients who have or will receive deep brain stimulation (DBS). Researchers record signals from the brain during memory tasks, with the stimulator on and off, to find patterns linked to cognitive side effects. The goal is to ide…

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 aimed to find out how common swallowing problems are in older adults who survive an ICU stay, and how those problems affect their recovery and quality of life. Researchers planned to evaluate swallowing safety, cough strength, and frailty in participants. However, the …

This study tests whether creating a virtual 3D map of a patient's removed tumor helps doctors plan radiation therapy more precisely. Researchers will compare standard radiation plans with plans that include the 3D map to see if it changes the treatment area or reduces radiation t…

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 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 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 looks at two different blood pressure goals for adults who just had brain tumor surgery. Half the patients will have a target of less than 160 mmHg, the other half less than 140 mmHg. Researchers want to see which group leaves the hospital sooner, without more bleeding…

This study observes scar tissue that forms around cochlear implants in 24 adults undergoing revision surgery. Researchers want to see if detecting this tissue can help adjust the implant's programming for better hearing. The goal is to validate computer models that predict tissue…

This early-phase study uses advanced MRI to visualize the brain's lymphatic system, which may help clear waste linked to Parkinson's and other brain diseases. Researchers will compare images from 140 people with and without Parkinson's to see if this system works differently in t…

This trial compares two types of video laryngoscope blades—hyperangulated and standard geometry—in critically ill adults who need a breathing tube in the emergency department or intensive care unit. About 2,500 participants will be randomly assigned to one blade type. The main go…

This study collects brain tissue samples from up to 2,500 adults and children undergoing brain surgery. The samples are stored in a tissue bank for use in future approved research projects. The goal is to provide a valuable resource for scientists studying brain diseases.

This study looks at spinal fluid and blood from 150 adults who had bleeding from a brain aneurysm. Researchers use a special laser technique to find proteins and genes that might predict when dangerous blood vessel spasms will happen. The goal is to better understand these marker…

This study looks at how the body's natural response to severe injury or major surgery can sometimes go wrong, leading to complications. Researchers will collect blood samples from 320 trauma patients and elective surgery patients to measure markers of inflammation and blood clott…

This early-phase study tests whether a single dose of moxonidine, a blood pressure medication that lowers sympathetic nerve activity, can reduce symptoms like rapid heartbeat and lightheadedness in people with postural tachycardia syndrome (POTS). The trial enrolls 48 adults aged…

This study follows 567 ICU survivors to see how their brain function changes over up to 12 years. Researchers will use brain scans, spinal fluid tests, and brain donations to find out why some people develop dementia after critical illness. The goal is to learn the causes of post…

This study uses a special camera (OCT) to take detailed pictures of the eyes of 20 healthy adults. The goal is to improve the camera's software so it can better detect eye diseases in the future. Participants have no eye problems and will not receive any treatment.

This early-phase study at Vanderbilt University Medical Center is looking at how certain nerve signals (called sympathetic vasoconstriction) might interfere with insulin's ability to widen blood vessels and take up sugar. The researchers will give a drug called phentolamine into …

This study follows 102 adults with sickle cell disease to track how often silent and overt strokes occur. Participants undergo regular MRI scans and neurological exams over 3.5 years. The goal is to gather data that could lead to the first stroke prevention trials specifically fo…

This study follows 826 ICU survivors to understand why some develop long-term thinking and memory problems. Researchers will look at factors like delirium and sedative use during the ICU stay. The goal is to find modifiable risks that could lead to better prevention and recovery …

This study follows 312 older adults who survived a critical illness to see how much they moved during their ICU stay. Researchers want to learn if more activity leads to less disability, better mobility, and clearer thinking 3 to 12 months later. The goal is to find ways to impro…

This study follows over 3,200 people who had surgery for a torn ACL. Researchers want to learn which factors affect knee function, arthritis, and the chance of re-injury. Participants complete surveys and have X-rays over time to track their recovery.

This study looks at whether people with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) might also have a rare condition called acute hepatic porphyria (AHP), which can cause similar symptoms like rapid heart rate and abdominal pain. Researchers will test 70 adults with POTS usi…

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 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 follows 500 adults who had COVID-19 to see what health problems they face months later. Researchers will track symptoms like tiredness, breathing trouble, and lung damage. The goal is to learn how common these long-term issues are and who is most likely to have them.

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 looks at how stimulating two specific tongue muscles (palatoglossus and genioglossus) affects airway size during a sleep endoscopy procedure. Researchers will measure changes in the airway with and without stimulation in 60 adults with obstructive sleep apnea who canno…

This study follows 432 adults who were in the ICU after a traumatic injury or burn. Researchers want to see if and why patients develop long-term problems with memory, thinking, and daily function. By tracking cognitive skills and inflammation over time, they hope to uncover link…

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

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 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 looks at whether using a smaller breathing tube during emergency intubation helps critically ill adults breathe easier and have better voice and swallowing six months later. About 3,180 patients in emergency rooms and intensive care units will be randomly assigned to g…

This study looks at whether a program of computer brain games and supervised physical exercise, done before and after surgery, can help older adults (60+) keep their thinking skills and physical abilities. 250 people having major non-cardiac surgery will be randomly assigned to e…

This study at Vanderbilt University Medical Center is looking at whether 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 and test how the hear…

This study collects tissue samples from 178 adults with and without Crohn's disease to create a detailed map of gut cells. Researchers will compare cell types and activity between healthy and diseased tissue. The goal is to better understand what goes wrong in Crohn's and identif…

This study uses advanced MRI scans to measure the size and texture of the pancreas in people recently diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. Researchers hope to develop standard methods for assessing the pancreas, which could improve understanding of the disease. About 250 participants …

This study looks at whether immune cells (monocytes) can be used as a simple test to diagnose salt-sensitive high blood pressure. Researchers will give 20 adults with high blood pressure a high-salt and low-salt diet to see how their blood pressure and immune cells change. The go…

This study compares two advanced bronchoscopy techniques—robotic assisted bronchoscopy and electromagnetic navigation bronchoscopy—to see which one more accurately diagnoses lung lesions. About 440 adults scheduled for a lung biopsy will be randomly assigned to one method. The ma…

This study compares how people with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) and healthy volunteers respond to local anesthetics like lidocaine and bupivacaine. Researchers inject a small amount under the skin and measure pain sensation at different times. The goal is to find out if reported…

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 whether wearing an activity tracker (like a Fitbit) can better predict how people with pulmonary hypertension will do over 12 weeks compared to the standard 6-minute walk test. About 230 participants will wear the tracker and report how they feel. The goal is …

This study tests a computer program called SIGHT that uses information already in a child's medical records to predict if they might have an undiagnosed genetic disease. Researchers will randomly assign 1,000 children visiting their pediatrician to either have their doctor receiv…

This study looks at how common strokes and silent brain injuries are in young adults (ages 16-25) with sickle cell anemia, especially in Nigeria where the disease is widespread. Researchers will use brain scans and blood tests to check for damage and identify risk factors like hi…