Clinical Trials

Investigate the efficacy of an at-home brain stimulation device for the treatment of Generalized Anxiety Disorder is young adults.

What will be asked of you?
• Remote screening interview
• Two in-person visits
• 6 weeks of daily at-home brain stimulation with questionnaires and weekly check-ins
• 5 weeks of online follow-up questionnaires
• Final phone interview

To be eligible for study participation:
• Are between the ages of 18 and 21 years old
• Regularly experiencing anxiety symptoms
• Are not diagnosed with psychosis, bipolar disorder, epilepsy, or substance-use disorder

Find out if you are eligible with our brief and secure online screening survey

Contact Information:
PI: Dr. Samantha Meltzer-Brody
Study contact: Carolina Center for Neurostimulation, GADstudy_CCN@med.unc.edu, 919-966-9929
Website: frohlichlab.org/open-studies

This project is funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse at NIH to chart neurobiological pathways from anxiety symptoms to substance use. Our goal is to inform the development of interventions that are more personalized based on brain, stress physiology, and social factors that play a role in how adolescents with symptoms of anxiety develop over time. We will be recruiting adolescents ages 12 to 14 for this study, and participants and their families will be compensated.

What will be asked of you?
Three (3) visits over a 3-year period with the UNC Psychiatry Department. Each visit includes:

• Online surveys (2.5 hours; virtual): Families will meet with a member of our research team on Zoom to complete consent documents and surveys about lifestyle, behavior, and personality.
• In-Lab Session (2.5 hours; in-person): This session will take place at our lab space on UNC Chapel Hill’s campus. Participants will be asked to complete surveys and thinking tests, and to play games that assess cognitive, behavioral, and emotional abilities. Also, a mildly stressful speaking task will be administered to participants while saliva (cortisol), heart rate and electrodermal activity are monitored.
• Scan Session (1.5 hours; in person): This session will take place at the UNC Chapel Hill Biomedical Research Center. Participants will be asked to complete a non-invasive magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan to measure brain activity and structure while completing tasks.

To be eligible, the child must:
• Be between 12-14 years old
• Have some feelings of anxiety
• Not have used alcohol, tobacco, or marijuana more than 3 times
• Not have metal implants inside the body or nonremovable braces
• Not have experienced a serious head injury

Contact Information:
PI: Dr. Aysenil Belger and Dr. Diana Fishbein
Study contact: Ani Bryce, uncpass@unc.edu, 919-886-0699
Recruitment Survey: https://redcap.link/uncpass

In this study, we want to learn how we can increase awareness and availability of specialty pain care services for Black men. This will be done by asking questions about their physical health, access to health care, determinants of health, decision-making, and factors that impact a person’s health. Participants will complete a phone interview, with a Research Assistant, that should take no more than 30 minutes. There is no follow-up and the survey can be completed in one sitting.

The purpose of this project is: 1) identify the association between biological (pain severity, intensity and location, general health, and comorbidities) psychological/behavioral (emotional trauma, locus of control/self-efficacy, decision making, resilience/reserve capacity), social (access and availability of specialty care, social support, masculine identity, discrimination), and cultural factors and the pain experience; 2) to examine Black men’s knowledge of, perceptions, and attitudes towards pain and the pain experience; and 3) to identify and explain existing barriers (and facilitators) to receiving specialty pain care and to participating in a pain disease self-management program among Black men.

To be eligible for study participation:
• individuals must self-identify as Black or African American;
• Be = 21 years of age
• Self-identify as male
• Currently experience chronic physical pain or experienced physical pain for 30+ days (consecutive or intermittent) within the past 3 (three) years
• Have a pathologic diagnosis of at least one chronic disease
• Demonstrates English reading and writing proficiency.

Participants who complete the phone interview will receive a $25 gift card.

Contact Information:
PI: Dr. Tamara Baker
Study contact: painresearch@unc.edu

This study looks to further examine the ways in which stress related to the Covid-19 pandemic impacts healthcare workers. Avoidance, hyperarousal, and saliva/blood samples are the biomarkers that will be measured as the workers watch two videos created. The first video is a News-based stress task (NCST), which depicts interviews of individuals sharing Covid-19 related traumatic experiences. The second video is a progressive muscle relaxation video (PMR), which will allow us to evaluate their ability to recover from stress.

The purpose of the study is to validate a film-based behavioral task that will assess how Covid-19-related social stress drives changes in hyperarousal, avoidance, and peripheral biomarkers.

You may be eligible to participate in this study if you are a healthy healthcare personnel between the ages of 25-50.

What will be asked of you?
• 1 (one) phone screen
• 1 (one) enrollment session (Zoom Session)
• 1 (one) in-lab visit (2 hours)
• 2 (two) virtual surveys–6 and 12 months after in-lab visit

Contact Information:
PI: Dr. Anthony Zannas
Study contact: csi@med.unc.edu
Website: https://www.med.unc.edu/psych/csi/

We are conducting a research study to evaluate whether a new form of talk therapy is effective at treating low motivation and pleasure. The study involves a clinical interview, completing questionnaires, and brain scans before and after treatment. Qualified participants receive up to 15 sessions of talk therapy.

Volunteers must be willing to provide informed consent to complete an initial clinical interview, questionnaires regarding mood, anxiety, quality of life, and brain scans before and after treatment. There is no cost to participate. You will receive up to 15 psychotherapy sessions from a Duke clinician. You will receive compensation for the portions of the study you complete.

You may be eligible to participate in this study if you are a between the ages of 18-50 and experiencing symptoms of low motivation and pleasure. Symptoms of low motivation and pleasure can include not wanting to be with other people, not wanting to participate in activities that you previously enjoyed, and feeling numb to the joys of life.

The purpose of the study is to assess the effects of an evidence-based mindful self-compassion intervention in transgender or gender expansive teens, as measured by pre and post mental health assessment instruments. Teens will participate in the Mindful Self-Compassion-Teen course, an 8-session skills-based group intervention to foster self-compassion and mindfulness. Teens will complete online surveys regarding well-being immediately following the course and 3 months post course.

After preliminary screening, participants will be asked to complete a pre-intervention survey about their mental health, incorporating standardized measures of mental health.The self-compassion intervention will be implemented as an eight session course, with each session lasting 1.75 hours, either in person on UNC campus (preferably) or, if not possible due to extenuating circumstances, online via a secure server, i.e., Zoom. The session will be led by two certified instructors and will include group-based exercises, short videos and discussions designed to promote self-compassion. A post-intervention survey will be administered immediately following completion of the program and again at 3-months post-intervention, incorporating the same measures as the pre-intervention survey. Feasibility and acceptability will be assessed via attendance and retention data, post-intervention surveys, and a 30 minute post-intervention interview.

You may be eligible to participate in this study if you are a adolescent who self-identify as transgender or gender expansive, and who are between the ages of 13 and 17. If the study is performed online, the participants would need to have access to a computer or other online device.

Assess the ability of osanetant, a best-in-class neurokinin-3 antagonist, to prevent Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Acute Stress Reaction (ASR) symptoms and prevent neurocognitive decline in civilian trauma survivors recruited in the immediate aftermath of motor vehicle collision who have acute ASR symptoms and who are at high risk of continued symptoms. Participants will take a series of neurocognitive assessments and surveys over a 12 week period to measure ASR symptoms and neurocogntive speed to assess Osantetants ability to prevent PTSD and ASR symptoms.

Participants will be assigned to 1-of-3 treatment arms: placebo, 100 mg osanetant, or 200 mg osanetant. All study personnel, besides an unblinded study statistician, will be blinded and will not know what treatment arm participants are being placed into. Participants will also be asked to completed a follow up ECG at 1 week and follow up blood draw 2 weeks after study drug as been started. Participation lasts 12 weeks in which online neurocogntive and survey assessments will be administered via a web-based link, participants will only need to report in person (mobile blood draw and ECG possible) for 1 week ECG and 2 week blood draw follow ups.

Who is eligible?
• Participants must be ≥ 18 years and ≤ 65 years of age, Admitted to ED within 24 hours of motor vehicle collision and anticipated to be discharged to home from the emergency department.
• Males with female partners of childbearing potential agree to use a highly effective method (<1% failure rate; ie, double-barrier-method) of contraception from screening through check-out.
• Females of childbearing potential agree to use a highly effective method (<1% failure rate; ie, double-barrier-method) of contraception from screening through check-out.
• Stated willingness to comply with all study procedures and availability for the duration of the study
• Smartphone with continuous service for 1 year
• Able to speak and read English
• PTS prediction tool risk score ≥ 16 in the ED
• Pain severity in the ED ≥ 4 (0-10 numeric rating scale

The purpose of this pilot study is to establish whether it is feasible to use a combination of gamma frequency tACS stimulation and at-home sleep EEG recordings to measure the offline effects of tACS on memory recall. Specifically, we are interested in determining if this protocol is acceptable among the population aged 50 and above. We aim to prepare for a large RCT in an elderly clinical population in the future.

Up to 7 hours spread across five study visits. Visits must be completed within the span of two weeks.

Participants may qualify if:
• You are willing to abstain from alcohol for 24 hrs before each session
• You do NOT have a cardiac pacemaker
• You are NOT diagnosed with a neurological, psychiatric, or sleep disorder
• You have NOT recently engaged in shift work within the last three months, or have not regularly gone to bed past 3am during the last three months
• You do NOT have a severe chronic health condition affecting your lungs, liver, kidney, hear or brain

Participants can receive up to $100 for participation. Take our online screening survey to find out if you are eligible.

Contact Information:
PI: Dr. Flavio Frohlich
Study Coordinator: Wu (Dylan) Li, dylanli@ad.unc.edu, 984-261-5745, or Magdalena Camenzind, CHARGE@med.unc.edu
Website: frohlichlab.org/open-studies

This study provides a brief single session of psychotherapy aimed at providing tools to manage depression. You may or may not receive non-invasive brain stimulation while receiving this therapy.

You will be asked to complete a baseline session (3 hours) involving clinical interviews and EEG, a treatment session (2 hours) involving psychotherapy and you may or may not receive stimulation, a follow-up session (2.5 hours) with clinical interviews and EEG, and fill out questionnaires online (0.5 hours).

At the first study visit, you will meet with a member of the study team and conduct interviews to understand your experience with depression. Then, we will record electrical brain activity while you complete a decision-making task. This session lasts approximately 3 hours.

In the second session, you will receive new strategies to manage your depression, and you may or may not receive low-current electrical stimulation with it. This session lasts approximately 2 hours.

In a third session two weeks later, you will complete the same task while electrical activity is recorded. This session lasts approximately 2.5 hours.

Finally, you will be sent some questionnaires to complete online from home. This will take approximately 30 minutes.

You may be eligible if:
• You are aged 18 years old or older
• You qualify as having major depressive disorder
• You do not have a history of psychosis
• You do not have a substance use disorder

What you will receive for participating:
• Opportunity to explore your values and receive new strategies for managing your depression
• Up to $100
• Free parking on site

Contact Information:
PI: Dr. Flavio Frohlich
Study Coordinator: Corrine Carlton-Smith, ABA_study@med.unc.edu
Website: frohlichlab.org/open-studies

We investigate the effects of 5 days of personalized non-invasive brain stimulation on mood in people with depressive symptoms in a clinical research trial.

Who is eligible?
• Age: 18-70
• Major Depressive Disorder with current symptoms

What will be asked of you?
• Screen session (1hr): consnet eligibility, questionnaires (remote option)
• Stimulation week (each day 1.5hr): five consecutive days with 40 minutes non-invasive brain stimulation and questionnaires.
• One-week follow-up (30 min): Online questionnaires.
• Two-week follow-up (1hr): Questionnaires and assessments. (remote option)

Participants can receive up to $300 in compensation. Take our online screening to find out if you are eligible.

Contact Information:
PI: Dr. David Rubinow
Study Coordinator: Tobias Schwippel (tobias_schwippel@unc.edu)
Website: www.frohlichlab.org/open-studies

Adults (ages 18-70) with a diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder may be eligible to participate in a research study to evaluate a new treatment for alleviating MDD symptoms that is self-administered with an investigational medical device. The study device is non-invasive and is used by participants at home at convenient times. Compensation for time and travel is available for eligible participants. To find out more, please contact the study team: MOOD_Study@unc.edu


The purpose of this research study is to examine whether the drug brexpiprazole, a recently FDA approved antipsychotic medication can help reduce substance use in individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder.
Participant Information:
• The study will last approximately 12 weeks
• Weekly research visits
• Vital signs, blood draws, and urine samples
• Answering questions about substance use and current psychiatric symptoms
• Participants will receive either brexpiprazole or continue current antipsychotic treatment
• Will receive up to $375 for study completion
You may be eligible to participate in this study if you:
• Are 18-65 years of age
• Have schizophrenia disorder AND substance use disorder (alcohol, cannabis, cocaine, or heroin)
• Are taking medication for schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder
For more information, please contact:
PI: Dr. Lars Fredrik Jarskog
Study Coordinator: Tonya Elliott and/or Terry Edwards (919)966-3915

In recent years, genetic testing has become popular for the commercial population as well as for advanced medicine. Here at UNC, we are researching just how helpful those genetic tests are for clinicians whom prescribe psychotropic medications for adults suffering from depression. In coordination with Massachusetts General Hospital, and funding from PCORI foundation, we have just opened this new and exciting research study.
If eligible, we use a simple cheek swab to obtain results. Our dedicated team of clinicians uses these genetic results as they do in real-world scenario’s: to guide their decision making when prescribing psychotropic medications. The results are to be reviewed by a qualified and trained clinician, and it provides insight into tolerability for various medications. Currently, clinicians use what is called “Best Practice Guidelines” to determine optimal medication regimen for their patients. It is possible the use of these genetic test can enhance this process of determining medications to provide, we just don’t know yet!
In order to tell how well this test works, we compare depression surveys of patients and clinician reports from two different groups: one group gets their genetic results right away, the other group waits one year. Research participation lasts one year, and additional monitoring is provided, even as the patient completes their research visits online from the comfort of their home. Both groups continue to be seen for routine care, and those who must wait for their results are prescribed medication according to Best Practice Guidelines, what would normally be done if they weren’t participating in the research. When the research is complete for that individual, those who had to wait will receive their genetic results and their provider can utilize those results as needed
For more information, please contact:
PI: Brad Gaynes
Study Coordinator: Elizabeth Pugliese (elizabeth_pugliese@med.unc.edu) or 984-974-3843 (ex. 0 voicemail)

If your biologically female child:
•  Is 14 – 19 years of age
•  Has regular menstrual cycles
•  Has experienced significant life stress OR experiences depression, hopelessness, sadness, or worry
•  Teens who have suicidal thoughts or engage in self-harm

Then they may be eligible to participate in a research study that seeks to understand the influence of the menstrual cycle and associated hormones on female teens’ stress responses and mood symptoms.

For participation in the study, we will ask you and your teen to come for an initial visit involving interviews and questionnaires. Following the interview visit, your teen would then come in for two lab visits, during which they will watch a video, engage in a mental task, and provide saliva samples and dried blood spots (via finger prick) before and after the mental task. In addition to the in-person visits, we will ask your child to complete daily and weekly surveys via a smartphone and to provide urine samples via home urine test strips.

Your child may earn up to $570 for participation in this study.

Contact our study team at:
Email: teencyclestudy@unc.edu
Phone: 1-984-999-0783
Website: https://uncteencycle.wordpress.com
Email Address: teencyclestudy@unc.edu

AASET-MHTP is the first large-scale head-to-head comparison of the two most widely studied mental health interventions for autistic adults: cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and mindfulness-based therapy (MBT). This research study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of CBT versus MBT (both delivered by telehealth) to improve mental health and quality of life among autistic adults with anxiety or depression. This work is supported through a Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) Assessment of Prevention, Diagnosis, and Treatment Options Program Award (IDD-2022C1-26372).

Participants will participate in weekly telehealth therapy sessions and be randomized to either receive MBT (up to 10 weeks for 90-minute sessions) or CBT (up to 18 weeks for 60-minute sessions). Participants will also complete three remote assessments for the study: one prior to starting therapy sessions, one after therapy sessions end, and another 6-months after therapy sessions end.

Autistic adults with depression and/or anxiety who live in North Carolina or Virginia, speak English, and are able to participate in therapy sessions over telehealth may be eligible. Recruitment in NC is initially restricted to those on a waitlist with UNC TEACCH Autism Program.

Contact Information:
PI: Dr. Laura Klinger
Study contact: aaset-mhtp@med.unc.edu

The Autistic Adults and other Stakeholders Engage Together – Suicide Prevention (AASET-SP) study aims to compare the helpfulness of two suicide prevention strategies tailored for autistic individuals: the Safety Planning Intervention tailored for Autistic individuals (SPI-A) and SPI-A plus structured follow-up care (SPI-A+). The research team includes autism and suicide prevention experts, clinicians, autistic individuals, and family members. This work is supported through a Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) Project Program Award (SP-2020C3-20951).

Participants complete interviews and surveys in 4 study visits over the course of a year.

Autistic youth (ages 12-24) who receive a tailored safety plan at a healthcare appointment may be eligible to participate if they are referred to the study by participating clinicians.

Contact Information:
PI: Dr. Danielle Roubinov
Study contact: aaset-sp@med.unc.edu
Website: med.unc.edu/aaset-sp

Difficulties in coping with anxiety and managing strong emotions are fairly common in autistic youth. Since schools can be the best place for students to access mental healthcare, the ASAP-Autism research study compares the effectiveness of two school-based programs (Zones of Regulation and Facing Your Fears-School Based) in helping autistic youth to decrease their anxiety and regulate their emotions. This research is funded by the Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI).

School providers (e.g., teachers, counselors, occupational therapists) receive training to deliver either Zones of Regulation or Facing Your Fears-School Based to a small group of autistic students with anxiety. Autistic youth who are eligible will participate in a program with 2-5 students for approximately 12 weeks (40 minutes per week). Autistic youth and their caregivers will be asked to complete pre-, post-, and follow-up assessments. Teachers of the autistic youth will also be asked to complete assessments pre- and post-intervention.

Eligible participants: Students in elementary or middle school (aged 8-15) who have a medical diagnosis of autism, educational identification of autism, or suspected autism may be eligible to participate if they are students at participating schools.

Contact Information:
PI: Dr. Laura Klinger
Study contact: asapautism@unc.edu

Physical activity has a range of positive effects, from improving well-being to preventing age-related cognitive decline/dementia. Because individuals with intellectual disabilities may be at increased risk for some types of age-related dementia, it is important to learn more about how to overcome barriers to physical activity and increase exercise levels. The PACE research study aims to refine and test a multi-level physical activity program for adults with intellectual disabilities.

Participants in the pilot study will attend two study visits in person, where they will answer survey questions, do some physical activities, and use a machine to measure body composition. They will wear an activity tracker to track their steps and physical activity for at least nine days between the two visits and talk with study staff about their experiences. They will also view a website and share their thoughts about it.

Eligible participants: Adults with intellectual disabilities who live in North Carolina and can attend study visits in Chapel Hill with their caregivers may be eligible to participate.

Contact Information:
PI: Dr. Brianne Tomaszewski
Study contact: PACEprogram@unc.edu 

If you have ever struggled with an eating disorder, you might be eligible to participate in the EDGI research study. All eligible participants will get a $20 gift card at the end of the study! And more importantly, you will help us work toward a brighter future with better treatments for all. Visit edgi.org to find out more & take our survey.

Currently, no secondary preventative interventions are available to prevent PTSD in high risk individuals after trauma. The WISE pilot trial will assess the ability of Written Exposure Therapy (a low cost, evidence based intervention that has been demonstrated to treat chronic PTSD symptoms) to reduce the incidence and severity of PTSD when delivered via telehealth after motor vehicle collision. The trial will randomize 40 individuals who present to a study ED for care after MVC to five sessions of written exposure therapy vs. unemotional writing control.

The trial will randomize 40 individuals to five sessions of written exposure therapy vs. unemotional writing control. Both exposure and control interventions will be administered via telehealth (n=40), with 20 individuals receiving written exposure therapy and 20 receiving unemotional writing intervention. Participants will be assessed via traditional self-report surveys at baseline, 4 weeks, 8 weeks, and 3 months.

A convenience sample of patients presenting to the emergency department for care will be assessed for eligibility. Patients will be eligible to participate if they: are alert and oriented at the time of screening, English speaking (written and spoken), at least 18 years of age, present to the ED within 72 hours of MVC, would be discharged home after ED evaluation, have an email address and mailing address, have an iOS or Android-compatible smartphone without loss of cellular connection due to inability to pay bill for 1 year, and be willing to participate in remote therapy sessions. Participants must also demonstrate willingness to complete outlined study treatments and activities.

Contact Information:
PI: Dr. Samuel McLean
Study contact: Lindsay Macchio (lindsay_machio@med.unc.edu)

The goals of the ProNET study are to better understand the cause and course of clinical high-risk symptoms and to monitor participants for the possible development of mental illnesses such as psychosis. For some, these clinical high-risk symptoms may become more severe over time. For others, the symptoms may stay the same, decrease, or go away entirely.

Participation in this study will include multiple visits lasting 1-9 hours over 2 years. Some of these visits will take place at UNC in Chapel Hill, NC, and some of the visits may be completed remotely. Study procedures include clinical interviews, biological assessments (MRI, EEG, saliva, and blood samples), and cognitive testing (memory and attention assessments).

You may be eligible if you are between 12-30 years old, have not been diagnosed with psychosis, and have experienced any of the following clinical high-risk symptoms: unusual thinking, perceptual abnormalities, suspiciousness, disorganized thinking, grandiose thoughts, and social withdrawal. Please visit our website to find the full description of symptoms.

To see if you may be eligible to participate, complete our Simple Survey or call (877) PRIME-19

Contact Information:
PI: Dr. Diana Perkins
Study contact: Jennifer Nieri, jennifer_nieri@med.unc.edu, 877-PRIME-19
Website: https://www.med.unc.edu/psych/oasis/research/current-studies/prime/

This study tests whether BI 425809 together with brain training using a computer improves mental functioning in patients with schizophrenia. This is a 12 week, randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled parallel group trial in patients with schizophrenia on stable antipsychotic treatment. There will be a total of seven visits during the study. Exam, assessments, cognition testing and CCT compliance will be requited. Blood and urine samples will be taken during the course of the study participation.
You may be eligible to participate in this study if you are:
• male or female patients who are 18-50 years of age at time of consent
• established schizophrenia DSM-5
• patients must be on stable antipsychotic treatment
• patients must demonstrate their ability to properly use the CCT device program
• patients must have a study partner who will preferably be consistent throughout the study
For more information, please contact:
PI: Dr. Lars Fredrik Jarskog
Study Coordinator: Tonya Elliott (tonya_elliott@med.unc.edu) or 919-966-3915

The purpose of this study is to find out whether the investigational study drug miricorilant is safe and effective in reducing the weight gain in obese participants taking antipsychotic medications. This study also includes an optional pharmacokinetic (PK) substudy. This PK substudy will be performed to understand how miricorilant is absorbed, broken down and removed from your body.
Participation in this study if for approximately 20 weeks (4 weeks of screening, 12 weeks of study treatment, and 4 weeks of follow-up). The study consists of the following study periods:
• Screening Period: up to 28 days
• Treatment Period: Day 1 to Week 12
• Follow-up Period: 4 weeks after last study dose (Week 16)
You may be eligible to participate in this study if you are:
• Patients with a body mass index (BMI) ≥30 kg/m2 who have started olanzapine, risperidone, or
quetiapine therapy for the treatment of schizophrenia within the last 12 months and have since shown
an increase in body weight by ≥5% within 6 months of starting the medication as documented by
medical record or treating physician’s report.
• Are men or women ≥18 to ≤65 years old
• Able to successfully complete placebo tablet swallow assessment
• Meet the criteria for schizophrenia based on medical history and the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI). Patients who have a questionable diagnosis based on the MINI, should have the diagnosis ofschizophrenia verified by the Structured Clinical Interview for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual V (DSM-V) (SCID)
• Have started olanzapine, risperidone, or quetiapine within 12 months of screening and have since shown an increase in body weight of ≥5% above their prior body weight within 6 months of medication initiation as documented by medical record or physician’s report. Historical weights from medical records must be within 6 months prior to medication initiation
• Have been on the same dose of olanzapine, risperidone, or quetiapine for the last month prior to screening
• Are clinically stable and unlikely to require change to their antipsychotic medication (i.e. medication switch or dose change) through the duration of the study (12 weeks)
• Have a Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) of ≤50 on screening interview
• Have a BMI ≥30 kg/m2
For more information, please contact:
PI: Dr. Lars Fredrik Jarskog
Study Coordinator: Jesi Post (jesi_post@med.unc.edu) or 919-445-0295

The purpose of this research study is to test the effectiveness of exercise on cognition in people with schizophrenia. It has been shown that people with schizophrenia may have some cognitive deficits. Findings from an earlier pilot study, along with recent reports, suggest that aerobic exercise may be effective in improving cognitive functioning in people with schizophrenia.
Following a baseline research assessment, participants will be randomized into aerobic exercise training or stretching and toning training. Participants in both groups will take part in a 12-week, 3 times per week, 1-hour training program, in addition to their regular treatment. All participants may continue to see their current psychiatrist for their pharmacological treatment during the study.
At baseline, week six and end of study; assessments, questionnaires, cognitive testing and a test called VO2 max (to test maximal oxygen consumption) will be performed. In addition, urine and blood samples will be taken.
You may be eligible to participate in this study if you are:
• Male or female between the ages of 18 and 55.
• English speaking.
• DSM-IV diagnosis of schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, or schizophreniform disorder.
• Taking antipsychotic medication for at least 8 weeks and on current doses for 4 weeks, and/or injectable depot antipsychotics with no change in last 3 months.
• No more than moderate degree of disorganization.
• No use of street drugs within the past 4 weeks.
• No history of severe hypertension or serious cardiac conditions.
• No history of active suicidal ideation, serious self-destructive behavior, violence or aggressive behavior (previous 2 years).
• No history of neurological or medical conditions known to seriously affect the brain.
• Capacity to give informed consent.
• Currently not pregnant or nursing.
• No participation in a study of cognition during the previous 3 months.
For more information, please contact:
PI: Dr. Lars Fredrik Jarskog
Study Coordinator: Terry Edwards (terry_edwards@med.unc.edu) or call 919-445-0271 or 919-966-3915

A research study to test whether transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) can reduce auditory hallucinations in people with schizophrenia. Transcranial current stimulation is a non-invasive technique that delivers very low intensity current to the scalp; treatment has been well tolerated with only minor side effects such as ‘tingling’ during stimulation. This intervention is aimed at restoring normal brain activity and function to reduce auditory hallucinations. This research represents a promising new non-pharmacological treatment for psychiatric disorders and our findings will serve to enhance the research community’s understanding of schizophrenia.
Involvement: 1 initial phone screening, 2-4 phone screening visits, 5 consecutive visits for treatment, 1 fifteen minute MRI scan, 8 weeks of once weekly stimulation sessions Benefits: Research is designed to benefit society by gaining new knowledge. The ability to target abnormal brain activity could lead to treatments for symptoms in patients with schizophrenia and other psychiatric conditions. There is a small chance that you may experience a reduction in the severity of your auditory hallucinations. At this time we will not offer additional treatments for people who respond well, but you may asked to be informed about future studies. Risks: Mild tingling, burning, or itching underneath the electrodes on the scalp and/or the appearance of flashing lights. Some subjects report headaches. Compensation: Participants will be paid at the end of each session and can earn up to $520.00 for completing all visits.
You may be eligible to participate in this study: Participants must have a diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder At least 3 auditory hallucinations per week Stable doses of medication for at least 4 weeks Not currently taking benzodiazepine medication
Contact Information:
PI: Dr. Flavio Frohlich
Study Coordinator: Rachel B. Force, PhD (rachel_force@med.unc.edu)
Call the office at 919-966-9929

Researchers at UNC-Chapel Hill are conducting a study to examine the effects of an approved weight loss medication among adults who smoke cigarettes. Participants will be asked to take study medication at weekly visits to UNC. Some visits will involve cigarette smoking. Participants must be able to attend clinic appointments at least once per week. This is not a treatment study.

For more information please visit: studies.unc.edu/21-1548

Contact Information:
PI: Dr. Christian Hendershot
Study Coordinator: Lily Al-Omari (barlab@unc.edu) or 919-962-3069

Researchers at UNC-Chapel Hill are conducting a study to examine the effects of an approved weight loss medication among adults who drink alcohol and smoke cigarettes. Participants will be asked to take study medication at weekly visits to UNC. Some visits will involve alcohol consumption. Participants must be able to attend clinic appointments at least once per week. This is not a treatment study.

For more information please visit: studies.unc.edu/21-1689

Contact Information:
PI: Dr. Christian Hendershot
Study Coordinator: Lily Al-Omari (barlab@unc.edu) or 919-962-3069

The main objective of this study is to determine whether administration of a single dose of Vitamin D in the Emergency Department following a motor vehicle collision has the ability to reduce racial disparity in pain outcomes. This is a phase II, multicenter, randomized controlled trial is a pilot study to determine feasibility and potential efficacy that can be used to adequately power a larger randomized controlled trial to fully assess efficacy.

Patients presenting to the ED within 24 hours of MVC (n=90, 45 non-Hispanic Black, and 45 non-Hispanic White) will receive a single dose of study drug prior to ED discharge. Prior to study drug administration, a baseline assessment will be performed, and a fingerstick blood sample will be obtained to evaluate 25-hydroxyvitamin D level. At 3 months, participants will also perform fingerstick blood collection at home and mail to the study team to enable assessment of 3 month 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration by treatment group. Throughout the entire 3-month period, six self-report online surveys will be completed by participants, assessing and monitoring mental health, physical health, pain, substance use, and satisfaction.

Inclusion criteria include between the ages of 18 and 65, admission to the ED within 24 hours of MVC, plan to be discharged home, willingness to comply with study procedures, has a smartphone with continuous service greater than 1 year, able to speak and read English, alert and oriented, willing to take study drug, non-Hispanic White or non-Hispanic Black, point of care Vitamin D level of less than 100 ng/ml, ED admission pain severity of 4 or higher.

Contact Information:
PI: Dr. Samuel McLean
Study Coordinator: Sadie Kee (sadie_kee@med.unc.edu) or (804)873-0903
Website: https://www.med.unc.edu/itr

Researchers at UNC-Chapel Hill are conducting a study to examine the effects of an approved weight loss medication among adults who smoke cigarettes. Participants will be asked to take study medication at weekly visits to UNC. Some visits will involve cigarette smoking. Participants must be able to attend clinic appointments at least once per week. This is not a treatment study.

For more information please visit: studies.unc.edu/21-1548

Contact Information:
PI: Dr. Christian Hendershot
Study Coordinator: Lily Al-Omari (barlab@unc.edu) or 919-962-3069