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 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 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 phase 2 trial tests whether theophylline, a drug used for asthma, can help children aged 2 to 12 with pseudohypoparathyroidism. The goal is to see if it leads to weight loss, slows bone growth plate closure, and reduces hormone resistance. The study involves 34 participants …

This study tests whether lanadelumab, a drug that blocks a blood vessel-widening substance, can prevent sudden low blood pressure during dialysis. About 28 adults on long-term dialysis who often experience this problem will receive either the drug or a placebo. The goal is to see…

This study looks at whether a program that screens for and helps with social needs like food, housing, and transportation can improve health outcomes in adults with type 2 diabetes and either high blood pressure or high cholesterol. About 4,800 participants from six primary care …

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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 is testing two new, non-invasive methods to diagnose swallowing disorders. Researchers will use skin patches and a magnetic sensor to measure electrical and magnetic signals from the esophagus. They aim to see if these methods can identify problems like achalasia witho…

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 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 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 early-stage study tests whether donepezil, a drug used for memory loss, can improve speech recognition in adults who already use cochlear implants. The idea is that the drug may help the brain adapt to the implant's signals. Fifty participants will receive either donepezil o…

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 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 tests whether remote health coaching can help people with chronic low back pain after they leave the emergency room. Forty adults will either get usual care plus coaching or usual care plus education. The main goal is to see if the coaching program is practical and wel…

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 looks at whether a simple saltwater infusion (IV saline) can help people with Postural Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) exercise longer. About 40 adults with POTS will receive either saline or a placebo on different days, then test their exercise ability. The goal is to see…

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 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 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 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 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 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 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 compares two advanced bronchoscopy techniques—robotic assisted and electromagnetic navigation—to see which one better obtains tissue from lung lesions. About 440 adults scheduled for a lung biopsy will be randomly assigned to one method. The main goal is to measure how…

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

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 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 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 study at Vanderbilt University is testing whether people with postural tachycardia syndrome (POTS) have higher levels of certain immune proteins (autoantibodies) that may affect their symptoms. Researchers will measure these proteins in blood samples and check how the heart …

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 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 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. The goa…

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 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 whether setting a personalized oxygen target for each patient on a breathing machine can improve their chances of survival. Researchers will use a computer model to predict the best oxygen level for each person. The trial will compare this personalized approac…

This study aims to find out how many people with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) also have a rare liver condition called acute hepatic porphyria (AHP). Researchers will use blood tests, genetic testing, and autonomic function tests to identify these individuals. …

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 damage the liver. They are testing whether taking prebiotic fiber and probiotic supplements can improve liver health markers in 63 par…

This study tests whether a non-invasive brain stimulation technique called cTBS can change brain activity and improve thinking skills in people with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. Researchers will use MRI to guide the stimulation to a specific brain network. The study…

This study looks at how the sympathetic nervous system contributes to symptoms in people with Postural Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), a condition that causes a rapid heart rate and discomfort when standing. Researchers will give participants a blood pressure medication called Moxon…

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 looks at how the body's natural response to severe injury or major surgery affects inflammation and blood clotting. Researchers will follow 320 trauma and surgery patients at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. The goal is to understand these processes better, not to…

This study aims to create a detailed map of gut cells from people with and without Crohn's disease. Researchers will collect tissue samples during colonoscopies or surgeries and analyze them using advanced techniques. The goal is to discover new clues about what causes Crohn's di…

This study looks at how the body's 'fight or flight' nerve signals might block insulin from opening up blood vessels, which can make it harder for muscles to take up sugar. Researchers will temporarily block these nerve signals in the forearm to see if blood flow and insulin acti…

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 collects leftover brain tissue from adults and children undergoing brain surgery. The tissue is stored in a bank and used for future research on brain diseases. No direct treatment is given; the goal is to provide samples for scientists to study.

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 study follows 826 adults who were in the ICU for breathing failure or shock. It aims to find out why some patients develop long-term thinking and memory problems. Researchers will look at factors like delirium and sedative use to help prevent these issues in the future.

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 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 looks at how severe injuries and ICU stays affect thinking skills like memory and decision-making over time. 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 prob…

This study looks at whether a 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 test measures a substance called NET mRNA, whic…

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 explores whether creating a 3D map of a patient's tumor after surgery helps doctors plan radiation therapy more precisely. The goal is to better target cancer cells while protecting nearby healthy organs. About 13 adults with head and neck cancer will have their standa…

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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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…