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Join a Health Study or Clinical Trial

Clinical Research

The NIEHS supports and conducts studies to determine how exposure to chemicals or other agents in the environment may influence a variety of diseases. The following NIEHS studies are ongoing and currently recruiting participants:

Doctor examining young boy. Dust mite Reduction Study.  Volunteers are needed to participate in a study to help children with dust mite allergies or sensitivities (http://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/conditions/asthma/studies/interventions/dustmite.cfm)

Participants will learn how to reduce dust mites in their homes and will receive $250.00 for completing the study. To volunteer or for more information, please call (866) 809-1261 during the following times.

  • 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM (Monday, Wednesday, Friday)
  • 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM (Tuesday, Thursday)
  • 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM (Saturday)

Autoimmune Diseases. The NIEHS is recruiting adults and children to participate in a five-year study (http://www.niehs.nih.gov/research/clinical/join/bethesda/index.cfm) to understand the role that genes and environmental risk factors play in the development of autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis/juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, scleroderma or myositis.

The studies take place at the NIH Clinical Center, a hospital dedicated to the highest quality research, in Bethesda, Maryland. Please contact the NIH main operator and directory assistance at (301) 496-4000 or NIH Telephone and Services Directory (http://teledirectory.nih.gov/).

DNA Registry for Diseases. The Environmental Polymorphism Registry (EPR) (http://www.niehs.nih.gov/research/resources/databases/epr/index.cfm) is a long-term research project to collect DNA samples from up to 20,000 individuals in the greater North Carolina Triangle Region.

Participants who provide contact information, a small blood sample and answer several questions about age, race and ethnicity will receive $20.00. For more information, contact Pat Chulada at (919) 541-7736, Tracy DeLozier at (919) 281-1110, ext. 793,
or Perry Blackshear at (919) 541-4899.

Breast Cancer Research.  The NIEHS led Sister Study is a nationwide study of sisters of women who have had breast cancer.  The purpose of the Sister Study is to learn how the environment and genes may interact to affect the chances of getting breast cancer. Participants will receive a Sister Study Kit that contains study information, questionnaires and material to use when collecting urine, toenail and household dust samples. In addition, enrollees will have a blood sample drawn from a health professional and agree to complete a set of follow-up requirements over the next 10 years. To volunteer or learn more about the Sister Study, visit the Web site www.sisterstudy.org Exit NIEHS, or for Spanish visit www.estudiodehermanas.org (http://www.estudiodehermanas.org/) Exit NIEHS.  A toll free number is also available 1-877-4SISTER (877-474-7837). Deaf/Hard of Hearing call 1-866-TTY-4SIS.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in Twin Sisters. The NIEHS is studying polycystic ovary syndrome (http://www.niehs.nih.gov/research/clinical/gei/studies/pcos/index.cfm) in twins to find out if it is caused by genetics, environmental triggers or a combination of both.

Twin sisters will be asked to undergo a blood test to determine the amount of testosterone in their bodies. Contingent upon the results, both twins may be asked to undergo a medical exam at Duke University Medical Center (DUMC) in Durham, North Carolina. To enroll, please call the study hotline at 866-809-1260 and leave a message for the study coordinator, Julie Linville. Your call will be returned within one business day.

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USA.gov Department of Health & Human Services National Institutes of Health
This page URL: http://www.niehs.nih.gov/research/clinical/join/index.cfm
NIEHS website: http://www.niehs.nih.gov/
Email the Web Manager at webmanager@niehs.nih.gov
Last Reviewed: December 30, 2008