Research Studies Finder

We want to study how brain function and structure change in childhood. We will compare brain measures in children with and without autism spectrum disorder (ASD) who are between the ages of 10-13 years old.

This study is for people with growing abnormal lymph vessels called lymphatic malformations (LMs). This study has 3 parts and involves taking a study drug called TARA-002. The purpose of this study is to find out if the study drug is safe and effective (can help) people with LMs. Participants receive the study drug by injection and will complete other research assessments throughout the study.

HIV infection can cause harm to the brain and negatively affect memory, learning, and decision making in daily activities. Smoking may affect the ability of medications to reduce HIV in the bloodstream (viral load), which may affect long-term survival and brain health. This study will look for changes in the brain that might have occurred due to HIV infection or smoking.

The purpose of this study is to look at the Sodium Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) findings in children with brain tumors and healthy children. An MRI is a machine which takes pictures of the brain. The type of MRI image in this study is a new type that is not yet FDA approved and the study is looking to see if the new type of MRI image is useful in looking at sodium in the brain and brain tumors. Sodium MRI (also known as 23Na-MRI) is a useful non-invasive imaging technique to assess biochemical and physiologic changes in tissues, e.g. integrity of cells and tissue viability. Sodium MRI has been beneficial in the evaluation of several neurological disorders including acute ischemic strokes, multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, migraines, and multiple tumor types, including tumors outside of the central nervous system.

We want to study brain responses during simulated driving and are currently looking for participants 12-17 years old or those who have had brain surgery. To do so, we'll have eligible participants come to CHOP for some non-invasive (safe) brain scans and drive using a simulator. If you are interested in learning more about the study, please contact Victoria Kaufman at kaufmanv@chop.edu or 267-425-4150.

The goal of this HIE (Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy) Study is to develop ultrasound techniques for detecting impaired blood supply to the brain using an investigational contrast agent. Our hope is to contribute to early diagnosis and improved outcomes.

PRoMPT BOLUS will determine which of two commonly used IV fluid types is most effective to treat children with sepsis. Patients with possible septic shock will be treated with one of two types of IV fluid, both of which are part of standard of care--0.9% saline or balanced fluids (including lactated Ringers solution or Plasma-Lyte)--along with the best locally available medical care available for their symptoms. Because sepsis is an emergency, patients may be enrolled with exception from informed consent unless they opt-out. However, subjects/families will decide if their data can be used in the study. We are not aware of any reason, at this time, why anyone with sepsis would not choose to participate if awake and able to take part in decisions about their care.

Patients with who have had Fontan surgery are at risk for the development of liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. New MRI based imaging techniques allow for non-invasive assessment of liver stiffness and fibrosis. These methods have been used in other diseases, but have not been studied in those who have undergone the Fontan operation. In this study we will test the feasibility of MRI based methods for the assessment of liver disease, and compare the results of these studies to those obtained from clinical liver biopsy.

Most of the infants born to HIV-positive mothers are HIV-exposed but uninfected. HIV exposure in infants may cause brain developmental delays. This study will look for changes in the brain that might have occurred due to HIV exposure in infants. These measurements can lead to novel insights regarding the impact of HIV exposure in infants' brain and potentially guide the development of new therapies to mitigate abnormal brain development.

The purpose of this study is to understand how children's brains process sounds and language. Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Intellectual and Developmental Delay (IDD), or Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) often have trouble understanding sounds that are too close together compared to Typically Developing Controls (children without ASD, IDD, or DLD). Fast changes in speech can be hard for children. This may be awkward during conversations and difficult in social situations. This research will see if trouble with processing sounds contributes to language difficulties in children with ASD, IDD, and/or DLD.