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Clinical Trials at NICHD

Numerous clinical protocols are run by the NICHD, Division of Intramural Research (for a complete listing, please visit www.clinicaltrials.gov or dir.nichd.nih.gov/dirweb/clinicaltrials.html). The following is a list of investigators within the DIR that recruit patients, and their contact information. For detailed information on all related research projects, please check the individual investigator's listing in the report, or the DIR website at dir.nichd.nih.gov.

Pediatric Endocrinology and Obesity

  • Studies on endocrine, genetic, and other pediatric disorders that are associated with the predisposition to develop obesity and diabetes. Patients may be referred to Dr. Joan Han at hanjo@mail.nih.gov or 301-435-7820.
  • Investigations on endocrine complications faced by pediatric cancer survivors. Additional studies to improve clinical care for pediatric patients with many types of endocrine cancers including pheochromocytoma, Cushing's disease, and thyroid cancer. Patients may be referred to Dr. Maya Lodish at lodishma@mail.nih.gov.
  • Research on endocrine, genetic and other pediatric disorders that are associated with the predisposition to endocrine and other tumors, abnormal development in fetal or later life and may affect the pituitary, the adrenal and other related organs. Patients may be referred to Dr. Constantine Stratakis at stratakc@mail.nih.gov or to Ms. Eileen Lange at 301-496-0862.
  • Clinical studies on endocrine and genetic disorders that are associated with obesity, and carries out clinical trials for the prevention and treatment of obesity. Patients may be referred to Dr. Jack Yanovski at yanovskj@mail.nih.gov or by calling 301-496-4168.
  • Evaluation of patients with endocrine disorders that are associated with excess androgen, including different forms of congenital adrenal hyperplasia. Patients may be referred to Dr. Deborah Merke at dmerke@nih.gov or Ms. Carol Van Ryzin at 301-451-0399.

Endocrinology

  • Research of mineral metabolism disorders, especially parathyroid disease. Patients may be referred to Dr. Karen Winer at 301-435-6877 or winerk@mail.nih.gov.
  • Investigative research on patients with pituitary and adrenal disorders, particularly those related to cortisol excess and deficiency. Patients may be referred to Dr. Lynnette Nieman at niemanl@nih.gov or at fax 301-402-0884.
  • Patient-oriented research into the etiology, pathophysiology, genetics, diagnosis, localization, and treatment of pheochromocytoma (PHEO) and paraganglioma (PGL). Patients may be referred to Dr. Karel Pacak at karel@mail.nih.gov.

Reproductive Endocrinology and Women's Health

  • Research to improve care for girls and women with Turner Syndrome. These studies will enhance the understanding of women's increased susceptibility to autoimmune disease and men's elevated risk for coronary disease Patients may contact Dr. Carolyn Bondy at bondyc@mail.nih.gov.
  • Studies on the disorders of ovarian function that are associated with estrogen deficiency, androgen deficiency, or infertility. Patients may be referred to Dr. Lawrence Nelson at lawrence_nelson@nih.gov or to Ms. Vien Vanderhoof at 301-435-7926 or toll free at 877-206-0911.
  • Research on endometriosis and pain, magnetic resonance guided high intensity focused ultrasound of uterine fibroids, HPV vaccination after stem cell transplant, genetic causes of fibroids, and genital graft versus host disease. Patients may be referred to Dr. Pamela Stratton at strattop@mail.nih.gov or her research line at 301-496-1190.

Clinical and Human Genetics

  • Counseling and research on patients with suspected or diagnosed genetic disorders. Patients and their families receive comprehensive evaluations, counseling, and risk assessment. Patients may be referred to Dr. Margarita Raygada at raygadam@mail.nih.gov or call 301-451-8822.
  • Studies on patients with genetic disorders related to altered cholesterol metabolism. This includes patients with Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome (SLOS), Autism Spectrum Disorder with low cholesterol, and Niemann-Pick Disease, type C (NPC). Patients may be referred to Dr. Forbes Porter (fdporter@mail.nih.gov), Ms. Sandra Conley (ASD and SLOS, 301-594-2005) or Ms. Nicole Yanjanin (NPC, 301-594-1765).
  • Research on understanding the regulation and functions of genes related neurodegenerative lysosomal storage disorders (LSDs) affecting children. This includes a bench-to-bedside patient treatment study investigating the mutations which cause infantile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (INCL). Patients may contact Dr. Anil Mukherjee at mukherja@cc1.nichd.nih.gov.

Medical Biophysics and Novel Imaging Techniques

  • Studies with healthy subjects to evaluate the age-dependent characteristics of cervical structure and collagen noninvasively by illumination of the cervix area using polarized light. The study is important to evaluate pregnant women who are at risk of early cervical dilation during pregnancy. Subjects may be referred to Dr. Amir Gandjbakhche at amir@helix.nih.gov or Sheila Mahoney at mahoneys@mail.nih.gov.
  • Research with normal volunteers to calibrate imaging modalities such as multispectral imaging, laser Doppler and thermal imaging and algorithms to quantify skin chromophore such as blood oxygenation and blood volume. Currently the imaging modality has been used in the clinic to study the therapeutic response of Kaposi's sarcoma patients. Subjects may be referred to Dr. Amir Gandjbakhche at amir@helix.nih.gov.

Cognitive and Social-Emotional Development

  • Studies on the processes by which the risk for psychopathology is transmitted from clinically depressed mothers to their children, over time and across several domains of child development, and how this risk can be modified by various contextual factors. The depressed group comprised mothers with major depression, minor depression, and dysthymia at 5 months postpartum. Contact Dr. Marc Bornstein at marc_h_bornstein@nih.gov.

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