Clinical Trials from The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston

Studies available for: Children's Diseases

See a study that interests you? Contact that study's coordinator for more information on how to participate.

Study Information:

Study Title:Autism Spectrum Disorders and Symptoms of ADHD

Study Location:Houston, TX

Facility Name:Center for Human Development Research

Study Description:Children and adolescents are invited to participate in a research study that may lead to a better understanding of the nature and treatment of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) symptoms in Autism Spectrum Disorders (i.e., Autistic Disorder, PDD-NOS, and Asperger's Disorder). In the first part of the study we will do psychological testing to examine the cognitive and behavioral differences in children who have Autism Spectrum Disorders and symptoms of ADHD and those who do not have symptoms of ADHD. In the second portion of the study we will examine whether a stimulant medication used for ADHD, methylphenidate (brand name: Ritalin), is effective in treating attention and behavior problems in children who have both an Autism Spectrum Disorder and symptoms of ADHD. Participants will receive a free psychological assessment and some compensation for their time in the first portion of the study.

More Information:website

HSC Number:HSC-MS-05-0239

Funding Agency/Source:NIH

Subject Information:

Subject Age Range:7-12 years old

Inclusion/Exclusion Criteria:Children and adolescents between the ages of 7 and 12 years old who have an Autism Spectrum Disorder (i.e., Autistic Disorder, PDD-NOS, and Asperger's Disorder) and who have IQs between 50 and 140. Previous IQ testing is not necessary to be eligible for this study. Participants may not be eligible if they have any of the following: 1. Serious sensory or motor deficits (e.g., blindness, severe cerebral palsy). 2. Serious neurological disorders (e.g., epilepsy, stroke). 3. Down syndrome, Fragile X syndrome, Tourette syndrome, or Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. 4. Bipolar Disorder or a family history of bipolar disorder in a first-degree relative. 5. Serious physical handicaps that would interfere with performance on laboratory tasks.

Study Coordinator(s) Information:

Name:Rosleen Mansour

E-mail:Rosleen.Mansour@uth.tmc.edu

Phone Number:713-500-2591

Principal Investigator Information:

Name:Deborah A. Pearson, Ph.D.

Study Information:

Study Title:DUST: An Asthma Research Study

Study Location:Houston, TX

Facility Name:UT School of Public Health

Study Description:Asthma is a very common disease in children and is often complicated by exposures to environmental triggers. There has been an increase in the number of asthma cases in the past several years. The exact reasons for this increase are not fully known so it is important to learn more about the different things that may cause asthma or make it worse. Our research team is conducting a study of asthma in the greater Houston area. The purpose of the study is to see if certain molds that are commonly found in house dust have a relationship with asthma. At the end of the study, we hope to learn how to better control asthma or prevent it all together.

HSC Number:HSC-SPH-06-0192

Funding Agency/Source:NIH/ National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

Subject Information:

Subject Age Range:6 to 18 years of age

Inclusion/Exclusion Criteria:Inclusion criteria—participants must live in the greater Houston area and live in a smoke free house. Participants cannot have a history of severe persistent asthma, chronic lung disease, premature birth, severe eczema, congenital or other chronic heart disease.

Study Coordinator(s) Information:

Name:Michelle Payton

E-mail:Michelle.A.Payton@uth.tmc.edu

Phone Number:713-500-9475

Name:Joy De Los Reyes

E-mail:Joy.M.De.Los.Reyes@uth.tmc.edu

Phone Number:713-500-9479

Principal Investigator Information:

Name:George P Delclos

CV:Information on the Principal Investigator

Study Information:

Study Title:HEARTS: Houston Early Age Risk Testing & Screening

Study Location:Houston, TX

Facility Name:Memorial Hermann hospital, Heart and Vascular Institue, TMC

Study Description:Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) occurs in ~ 1/100,000 students/year. Following SCA, 90% die; of the remainder, 33% have permanent neurological damage. Automated External Defibrillators (AED’s) help prevent death if SCA occurs & are mandated in Texas schools. We estimate that~ 1:50-1:100 young children in US have an undiagnosed heart condition. Family doctors were unaware of any underlying cardiac abnormality in >=95% of children who die suddenly i.e. screening by history & physical examination alone are not sufficient to detect many critical cardiovascular abnormalities in young children. There is no standard screening of school or college athletes, nor are there approved certification procedures for professionals who perform screening examinations. In Italy, since the introduction of a nationwide systematic cardiovascular screening, the incidence of SCA in young competitive athletes has substantially declined when compared to unscreened non-athletes. By identifying sixth grade students wi

HSC Number:HSC-MS-08-0518

Funding Agency/Source:Memorial Hermann Foundation

Subject Information:

Subject Age Range:Sixth Grade students from hoouston Schools

Inclusion/Exclusion Criteria:1500 sixth grade students in schools in the city of Houston are administered cardiovascular screening which will include a (1) selfadministered questionnaire, (2) cardiac physical examination, (3) electrocardiogram (EKG), and a (4) limited 2-dimensional and Doppler echocardiogram (2-D echo) in a time efficient manner by trained and licensed healthcare workers.

Study Coordinator(s) Information:

Name:Teri Yover

E-mail:Teri.D.Yover@uth.tmc.edu

Phone Number:713-500-5892

Principal Investigator Information:

Name:Dr. John Higgins, MD

CV:Information on the Principal Investigator

Study Information:

Study Title:Movement Control in Children

Study Location:Houston, TX

Facility Name:The University of Texas Medical School at Houston

Study Description:Parents and child volunteers will complete several questionnaires, both together and independently. Child volunteers will play four computer games in which they move their eyes to the correct location on the screen. The results from healthy volunteers will be compared to children with Tourette Syndrome for a better understanding of what brain areas may cause the motor and vocal tics in children with Tourette Syndrome.

HSC Number:HSC-MS-04-173

Funding Agency/Source:NIH

Subject Information:

Subject Age Range:10-16 years old

Inclusion/Exclusion Criteria:Qualifying children and their siblings will be healthy with no prior neurological or psychiatric conditions, such as Tourette Syndrome, ADHD, OCD, or epilepsy. Child volunteers should not be taking neurological or psychiatric medications, like Ritalin or Concerta.

Study Coordinator(s) Information:

Name:Cameron Jeter

E-mail:cameron.b.jeter@uth.tmc.edu

Phone Number:713-500-5551

Principal Investigator Information:

Name:Anne B. Sereno, Ph.D.

Study Information:

Study Title:A Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled, Phase II Study to Assess the Safety and Efficacy of the Cytomegalovirus gB/MF59 Vaccine in Preventing Systemic Cytomegalovirus Infection in Healthy Adolescent Females

Study Location:Houston, TX

Facility Name:The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston

Study Description:Study on a Vaccine to Prevent Cytomegalovirus in Adolescent Girls Underway at UT. The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston is currently conducting a study about cytomegalovirus (CMV) in adolescent girls. CMV is a common cause of mild upper respiratory illness, sometimes with fever and enlarged lymph nodes, in children of all ages. CMV can be passed from a mother to her unborn infant during pregnancy and cause more serious consequences. We are interested in learning how to prevent this virus in young women. We are recruiting girls 12 to 17 years of age, who: -Have not received a blood or blood product transfusion in 3 months -Have no significant medical illness -Are willing to have blood drawn once (approximately 10cc or 2 teaspoons), -Can come to the University of Texas Clinical Research Unit. The visit will be approximately 1 hour long and your parking will be reimbursed. Volunteers will receive $40 for their time and will receive a certificate acknowledgi

HSC Number:HSC-SPH-08-0542

Funding Agency/Source:NIH

Subject Information:

Subject Age Range:12 to 17

Inclusion/Exclusion Criteria:Inclusion Criteria 1. Subject is willing and able to provide written informed assent and provides assent prior to study enrollment; parent(s) or legal guardian provides written informed consent prior to study enrollment. 2. Female and 12 to 17 years of age (at time of screening). 3. Subject is willing to consider participation in the experimental CMV vaccine portion of the study which is 31-months in duration and must not be planning to relocate from the study area. 4. Subject is using or willing to consider using effective methods of birth control. This includes abstinence or if sexually active using an effective method of birth control (eg, oral contraceptives; diaphragm or condom in combination with contraceptive jelly

Study Coordinator(s) Information:

Name:Monika Ruscheinsky

E-mail:monika.ruscheinsky@uth.tmc.edu

Phone Number:713-704-0825

Principal Investigator Information:

Name:Herbert Dupont

Study Information:

Study Title:A randomized, double-blind, double dummy, comparative, multicenter study to assess the safety and efficacy of topical Retapamulin ointment 1%, versus oral Linezolid in the treatment of secondarily-infected traumatic lesions and impetigo due to Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

Study Location:Houston, TX

Facility Name:Houston Medical Center Building

Study Description:This study will evaluate a topical medication to treat minor skin infections. There will be 5 visits over 19 days. Compensation is provided for parking and time. There is no cost to study subjects.

HSC Number:HSC-MS-09-0344

Funding Agency/Source:GlaxoSmithKline

Subject Information:

Subject Age Range:6 months and older

Inclusion/Exclusion Criteria:Subjects must have a minor skin infection due to trauma or impetigo. Subjects must not: 1) have an allergy to the study medication 2) have phenylketonuria or hypersensitivity to aspartame 3) have an infection from an animal or human bite or a puncture wound 4) have an abscess 5) have a chronic ulcerative lesion 6) have an underlying skin disease that is infected 7) have signs of systemic infection 8) have an infection that the physician deems unsuitable to treatment with topical therapy 9) have an infection needing surgical intervention 10) take serotonergic or adrenergic medications 11) have taken systemic antibiotics or steroids or used topical theraputic agents on the wound within the last 24 hours 12) have a history of pseudomembranous

Study Coordinator(s) Information:

Name:Maria Lopez

E-mail:Maria.D.Lopez@uth.tmc.edu

Phone Number:713-500-8266

Principal Investigator Information:

Name:Adelaide A. Hebert, M.D.

Study Information:

Study Title:Safety and efficacy of TACLONEX ointment in adolescent patients (aged 12 to 17 years) with psoriasis vulgaris

Study Location:Houston, TX

Facility Name:Houston Medical Center Building

Study Description:This study is evaluating a topical medication called Taclonex for the treatment of psoriasis in adolescent patients aged 12 to 17 years. There are 5 visits over a 6 to 10 week period. Compensation is provided for time and parking. There is no cost to the subjects.

HSC Number:HSC-MS-09-0120

Funding Agency/Source:Leo Pharmaceutical Products Ltd.

Subject Information:

Subject Age Range:12-17

Inclusion/Exclusion Criteria:Subjects must have psoriasis. Subjects must not 1) be pregnant 2) have severe kidney or liver disease 3) have diabetes mellitus 4) have Cushing's or Addison's disease.

Study Coordinator(s) Information:

Name:Maria Lopez

E-mail:Maria.D.Lopez@uth.tmc.edu

Phone Number:713-500-8266

Principal Investigator Information:

Name:Adelaide A. Hebert, M.D.