The goal of this study is to evaluate sex and gender differences across adulthood (18+) in reasons for using cannabis and the perceived severity of consequences associated with cannabis use. We are also interested in understanding how these reasons for cannabis use and perceived severity of consequences are related to other mental and physical health factors. Interested individuals will first complete a brief screening survey. Based on the results of this screening survey, eligible participants will immediately be invited to complete the survey remotely online via a secure web-link. Participants can expect to complete the survey in 30-45 minutes and will be reimbursed $30 via electronic gift card (e.g., Amazon).
This is a Phase II research study to determine dosing of non-invasive brain stimulation for patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and depression. The brain stimulation treatment used in this study is called repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS). rTMS is a Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved treatment for depression. The goal of the study is to see if brain stimulation can be used for MCI patients to improve memory, thinking, and mood, and what dose of stimulation works best.
The study uses a form of rTMS called intermittent theta burst rTMS (accelerated iTBS). This treatment has not been FDA-approved for MCI patients. This double-blind study requires 11 study visits over the course of six months.
Sometimes, it is necessary to re-learn a previously learned movement behavior, for example, a bad posture during the golf drive or while playing the piano. Unlearning or relearning an intensively trained behavior is particularly important if the behavior is hampering recovery, for example, in chronic pain or after a stroke. With this study, we experimentally test the brain mechanisms that control the change of pre-existing stable memories of a motor skill with electroencephalography (EEG). We will then use non-invasive brain stimulation to modulate these brain mechanisms and test if it is possible to change the pre-existing motor memory and the learning of a new motor skill.
The purpose of the study is to see if daily use of nicotine patches will slow or reverse memory loss in participants with Mild cognitive impairment, an early stage of mental decline associated with Alzheimer's disease. Nicotine may mimic natural chemicals in the brain that play a crucial role in memory function, and previous studies have shown that nicotine may improve attention, learning, and memory. In this study, participants will receive either nicotine (up to 21mg/day, the standard dosage of a nicotine patch) or placebo for 2 years to see if these improvements in brain function can be observed over a longer period.
Smell loss has been reported in more than 50% of older adults. Currently there are no validated methods for classifying patients with smell loss in aging based on either disease site or process. This study aims to better understand how age affects the sense of smell. This study will involve those 50 and older and will take up to 2 years, with 2 follow up annual visits.
This study will collect prospective data on clinical indications, outcomes, and adverse events related to Prostatic Artery Embolization (PAE) at the Medical University of South Carolina. Patients undergoing surgical treatment for benign prostatic obstruction causing LUTS will also be allowed to enroll in this registry for the purposes of comparison. Patients will be followed at 1, 3, and 12 months post-procedure, for a period of up to 5 years. Patients will remain enrolled in the registry for a period of 5 years.
This study will examine the behaviors and brains of adults between the ages of 60 and 80. Our goal is to better understand changes associated with the aging process. This includes potential changes in behavior/cognition as well as potential biomarkers for these changes (i.e. biological data like DNA, brain scans or brain activity that are related to these changes). Participants in the study will complete a number of tests that measure their cognitive, language, and sensory abilities. We will collect information about their brains using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and electroencephalography (EEG) and we will collect information about their genes using DNA extracted from blood samples. We will examine and compare the relationship between brain and behavior at 2 time points for the same 200 individuals. All data collected in this study will be stored in the Aging Brain Cohort repository study.
Hand disability after stroke has a profound negative impact on functional ability and independence. Hand therapy may be augmented with sensory stimulation for better outcomes. We have developed a novel sensory stimulation - unfelt vibration applied via a wristwatch. In this study, we will determine if combining this stimulation with hand task practice is superior to hand task practice alone.
The purpose of the study is to generate a bio bank of specimens for research. We will tissue that would otherwise be discarded from clinical or surgical procedure and information from medical records. We will also collect discarded blood, urines and sputum. Collecting samples will help to better understanding the mechanisms of cardiovascular diseases, identify biomarkers for early diagnosis and to predict safety and efficacy of new therapies.
Traumatic Brain Injury is a risk factor for Alzheimer's Disease and other dementias. This study will use neuroimaging in Veterans and civilians with a history of TBI or without TBI to understand whether some of the brain changes that occur in Alzheimer's Disease are present in people with a history of TBI. The study is recruiting male and female military Veterans or civilians with or without TBI between the ages of 30 and 65.