Hello current and future volunteers! We hope that this issue of the “Participating in NIH Research” newsletter will be interesting and helpful for all of you. This publication provides insight into the exciting world of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), offers lots of good medical information, and profiles some of the NIH studies that are currently enrolling patients.

The “Participating in NIH Research” newsletter includes information about both healthy volunteer and patient studies. No matter if you have a pre-existing health condition or if you are interested in becoming a healthy volunteer, this newsletter is for you!

Prevention of Teen Obesity Study
Study Number: 06-CH-0039
Parents of Teens! Do you worry that your daughter is gaining too much weight? The purpose of this study is to test how effective group therapy is in the prevention of excess weight gain. Research participants must be female and 12 to 17 years of age.

Avian Flu Vaccine Study
Study Number: 07-I-0042
Help build better vaccines for a healthier world. A new generation of science is building a new generation of vaccines. Healthy adults, 18–60 years old, are needed to participate in the study of an investigational Avian Influenza vaccine. The study will evaluate the safety of the vaccine and see if it generates an immune response. You cannot become infected with Avian Influenza by receiving the vaccine.

Brain Imaging Study for Young Men
Study Number: 06-M-0214
Researchers at the National Institutes of Mental Health (NIMH) are seeking healthy male volunteers, ages 18–24, to participate in a research study that examines the brain. The goal of the study is to explore whether there are differences between the brains of healthy individuals and those who have rare brain disorders that cause mental impairment. Participants will spend 3–4 half days as outpatients at the NIH Clinical Center. Participation includes brain imaging, physical exam, and IQ test. All participants must be medically healthy males, ages 18 to 24, and not be taking any medications.

Menstrual Cycle Study
Study Number: 81-M-0126
The Behavioral Endocrinology Branch of The National Institute of Mental Health is dedicated to Women’s Health research. We need healthy female volunteers to participate in studies of the relationship between gender, hormones, stress, and mood. Research participation includes physical, psychological, and neurological evaluations, as well as laboratory studies. Research participants must be between the ages of 18 and 50, be medication free (including birth control), and be physically healthy.

The Study of Neurofibroma Growth in Adults with NF1
Study Numbers: 06-HG-0134 and 05-HG-0152
We invite you to join a research study of neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) in adults at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). We are trying to answer a simple question: In adults, how fast (or how slow) do skin neurofibromas grow? By answering this question, we hope to lay the groundwork for future trials of new drugs to control the growth of neurofibromas. We also hope to find genes that control the growth of neurofibromas in NF1.

With this study, we are trying to learn how fast or slow neurofibromas grow, and how often they appear. We also are looking for the genes that control the growth rate of the tumors. The results of this study may help us design future trials to test new drugs to treat the tumors. If we can find genes that control the growth rate of the tumors, we hope to use those genes to predict the approximate number of tumors a person with NF1 might have.

Sleep Deprivation and Obesity Study
Study Number: 06-DK-0036
Sleep deprivation and weight study for obese adults, ages 22 to 50, who sleep less than 6 hours at night. This study will examine the relation of sleep to body weight, amount of body fat, level of hormones that control appetite. Medical history and physical examination are provided at no cost. Compensation is provided.

Tai Chi Study
Study Number: 06-AT-0016
Are you a cancer survivor in the Washington, DC Metro area? The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) is conducting a clinical research study to find out whether Tai Chi [an ancient form of Chinese exercise, pronounced ‘tie chee’) or stationary cycling exercise improves physical fitness and well-being for cancer survivors. If you are a cancer survivor between the ages of 18 and 60, and have completed treatment two or more years ago, you may be eligible to participate.

Enlarged Gums Study
Study Number: 05-D-0103
Do you have enlarged gums? The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial is looking for adults and children taking medications (dilantin, cyclosporine, and calcium channel-blockers) that cause enlarged gums. All participants will have an examination of their teeth and gum tissues. If you have a gum enlargement, we will offer to remove it for you. All study related tests and medications at the NIH Clinical Center are provided at no cost.

Search for more clinical trials at http://clinicalstudies.info.nih.gov. Please type the word “Healthy” for a full listing of NIH Healthy Volunteer opportunities. You can also search by individual keywords to find specific NIH patient studies.

All NIH studies are conducted in Bethesda, MD just 9 miles north of Washington DC and conveniently located on the metro’s red line. Compensation is provided for the healthy volunteer studies featured above.

	Michael Mansaray is only 12 years old, but he has been an NIH healthy volunteer for over 6 years. In addition to keeping up with his classwork in the 7th grade and participating in a variety of sports, art programs, and music lessons, Michael enjoys being part of the NIH healthy volunteer program. He has volunteered to take part in many different NIH studies ranging from computerized games to a study of the brain using an MRI. Q: How many different studies have you participated in? A: I have participated in about 11 different studies, or ‘protocols’ as my mom calls them. Q: Of all the protocols that you have participated in, which one was your favorite? A: In January, I participated in a study that evaluates eating behaviors in children. It is a really cool study. You eat breakfast and lunch at NIH and get to choose different foods to eat during lunch. The foods were all yummy. And the best part is that you get paid for eating. Q: Do you enjoy volunteering as an NIH healthy volunteer? A: Yes. I like the fact that by participating, I am helping the doctors find ways to help other children. I also like making a little money. Q: What have you learned about medicine and hospitals since you started volunteering? A: I learned that it is important to wipe the skin with alcohol before sticking a needle to draw blood. I also see many sick children who come with their parents to see their doctors, so I am glad to help them. All of the people at the NIH, the doctors and nurses work very hard and it takes a lot of effort to organize a research study. Q: What advice do you have for other kids who might be interested in being a healthy volunteer? A: Don’t be scared to participate. Try to get involved in many different kinds of studies. It is cool that you can help other children who are sick all over the world. Also, always ask the nurse if they can put some Emla cream on your hand before drawing blood. It works really well and then you don’t even feel the blood draw. Michael’s Mom, Mandy Mansaray: Q: What was your motivation for allowing your son to participate in the NIH healthy volunteer program? A: As a health care provider myself, I am aware of many illnesses that plague children for which there are no treatments. Clinical research attempts to answer questions as to why these conditions exist and what kind of treatment can be developed to combat the illnesses. When children participate as healthy volunteers, the data can be used to compare to data obtained from children with the condition that is being studied and this may enable the doctors to find and develop treatments. Q: Would you recommend the NIH healthy volunteer program to other parents whose children are interested in participating? A: Absolutely. It is the only way that new treatments and new medications can be developed by science.