We are conducting a research study on how psoriasis might be caused or worsened by high levels of the blood sugar-lowering hormone insulin. We are seeking people with plaque psoriasis, ages 18-65, who are overweight or obese with a body mass index of 25-35. Participants will have blood drawn and small skin biopsies taken from psoriasis plaques and nearby…
The purpose of this study is to examine the causes and pathology of alopecia areata and other hair and skin disorders. Skin biopsies and blood and/or clinical information collected in the study will be used for research aiming at developing new options for the treatment of alopecia areata and other skin and hair disorders.
Genetic studies help us to understand why some people develop certain diseases while others don't and also provide important clues about how best to treat the disease.
This is a research study to understand what causes bipolar disorder and how medications treat bipolar depression. Particularly, we are looking at the importance of inflammation in the process. If you participate, you will receive an experimental medication for your depression named ethyl eicosapentaenoic acid (ethyl EPA), an omega 3 fatty acid. You will…
The goal of this study is to examine how effective and well-tolerated a possible new treatment for individuals who injure themselves frequently will be. All research procedures can be done from home no in-person visits are required. We are studying a minimal-risk form of electrical brain stimulation called transcranial direct current stimulation, or tDCS.…
This study is a double-blind and placebo-controlled study to assess its efficacy of the new drug Lumateperone for patients with Major Depressive Episodes associated with Bipolar I and Bipolar II disorder. Lumateperone is thought to exert its antidepressant effect through interaction with sereotogenic, dopaminergic, and glutamergic neurotransmitter targets.…
We will evaluate the D-cycloserine (DCS) and lurasidone with MRI measurement of brain responses to DCS. DCS is a drug that works on the same brain receptor as ketamine. DCS is not approved by the FDA for bipolar depression. Study participants will receive a dose of lurasidone or placebo in one MRI and a dose of DCS in another, followed by an optional follow…
This study is for patients with Glaucoma. The purpose of this study is to investigate the safety and effectiveness of a study drug called Bimatoprost Sustained Release (SR) compared to treatment with eye drug Timolol. The Bimatoprost SR is an implant that is very small, is biodegradable (dissolves naturally in the body), and contains the bimatoprost drug.
Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide. The most important test to detect progression is visual field testing. However, this test is very subjective, often unreliable, and variable. One of the main causes of unreliable tests is the lack of attentiveness or concentration during the test. Previous studies have shown that listening…
We are trying to understand what causes bipolar disorder and how medications treat bipolar depression. If you participate, you will have two different brain scans (MRI and PET scan). You will also have antidepressant treatment for free. We will then be able to see whether information on the brain scans connects with how people do on the medications. The…
Glaucoma is a given name of a group of diseases that affect the retinal ganglion cells in the eye and the optic nerve. Glaucoma cause degeneration of the retinal ganglion cells in the retina and their projections (axons) that form the optic nerve. Retinal ganglion cells and their axons transmit all of our vision information from the eye to the brain through…
We are trying to understand what causes bipolar disorder and how medications treat bipolar depression. Particularly, we are looking at the importance of dopamine signaling in the process. If you participate, you will have two different brain scans (MRI and PET scan). You will also have treatment for your depression with an FDA approved medication,…