Microbiome

Clinical Trials and Studies

Clinical Trials people portraits

3-D imaging in colonic mucosa of IBS-D, IBS-C and healthy controls

Lin Chang, MD, co-director of the G. Oppenheimer Center for Neurobiology of Stress and Resilience, is conducting a study to test a new CLARITY imaging technique to map the colonic mucosa in IBS patients.

You may be eligible if you:

  • Between the ages of 18 to 50 years
  • Not pregnant or nursing
  • No significant neurological, psychological or other health history

Study participation consists of:

  • One screening visit
  • One sigmoidoscopy procedure
  • Online questionnaires

Compensation:

  • Earn up to $150
  • Free parking provided

For more information: Call 310-206-1656

Protocol ID:IRB#20-000241 UCLA IRB Approved End Date: 02/2023 Committee: Medical IRB 1

AnX NaviCam capsule endoscopy study for gastroparesis and functional dyspepsia

Lin Chang, MD, co-director of the G. Oppenheimer Center for Neurobiology of Stress and Resilience, is conducting a magnetically controlled capsule endoscopy system on gastroparesis and functional dyspepsia patients.

You may be eligible if you:

  • Between the ages of 18 to 60 years
  • Diagnosed with either functional dyspepsia or gastroparesis
  • Not pregnant or nursing
  • No significant neurological, psychological or other health history

Study participation consists of:

  • One screening visit
  • Capsule endoscopy procedure
  • Online questionnaires

Compensation:

  • Earn up to $150
  • Free parking provided

For more information: Call 310-206-1656

Protocol ID:IRB#20-001573 UCLA IRB Approved End Date: 06/2023 Committee: Medical IRB 1

Research on effects of social isolation and discrimination

Arpana Gupta, PhD, G. Oppenheimer Center for Neurobiology of Stress and Resilience, is conducting a study on the effects of stress and discrimination in Mexican and Filipina women.

You may be eligible if you:

  • Premenopausal female of Mexican or Filipina ancestry (MUST be of 100 percent Mexican or 100 percent Filipina ancestry)
  • Between the ages of 18 to 50 years
  • Right-handed
  • Not pregnant or nursing
  • No significant neurological, psychological or other health history

Study participation consists of:

  • Two (2) visits (screening brain MRI)
  • Two (2) stool samples
  • One (1) blood sample
  • Online questionnaires about diet and mood
  • Optional follow-up visits at three (3) and six (6) months

Compensation:

  • Earn up to $285
  • Free parking provided

For more information: Call 310-825-7206

Protocol ID:IRB#20-002326 UCLA IRB Approved End Date: 12/2025 Committee: Medical IRB 3

Study on women and stress

Arpana Gupta, PhD, G. Oppenheimer Center for Neurobiology of Stress and Resilience, is conducting a study comparing women with high and women with low stress.

You may be eligible if you:

  • Caucasian female
  • Between the ages of 18 to 45 years
  • Not pregnant or nursing
  • Consider yourself to be either a high stress type person or a low stress type of person

Study participation consists of:

  • One (1) phone/Zoom screening
  • One (1) 2-hour laboratory stress test day consisting of 4 short cognitive stress tests
  • Two (2) finger pricks for blood sample and one (1) small stool sample collected at home
  • Online questionnaires

Compensation:

  • Earn up to $225
  • Free parking provided
  • Sponsored by Danone Research

For more information: Call Allison at 310-825-7206

Protocol ID:IRB#20-001921 UCLA IRB Approved End Date: 12/2022 Committee: Medical IRB 3

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for gastrointestinal pain

Emeran A. Mayer, MD, director of the G. Oppenheimer Center for Neurobiology of Stress and Resilience, is conducting a study to test the effect of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) on the brain and gut in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

You may be eligible if you:

  • Have chronic abdominal pain with altered bowel habits for at least 6 months OR diagnosed with IBS
  • Between the ages of 18 to 55 years
  • If female, not pregnant, post-partum or breast feeding
  • Have no significant medical or psychological history
  • Not currently practicing CBT or have completed CBT treatment in the last 2 years

Some details:

  • Participation involves a screening, online questionnaires, a before and after CBT brain MRI visit with a blood and stool sample and 8 weeks of internet guided CBT

Compensation:

  • Men may earn up to $430
  • Women may earn up to $480
  • Everyone will receive a digital image of their brain

For more information: Email [email protected] or call 310-206-1719

Sex related differences in the effect of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) on  emotional arousal and salience circuits and the role of the gut microbiome Project 3 Protocol ID: IRB#20-001118 UCLA IRB Approved Approval Date: 1/22/2021 Committee: Medical IRB 3

Looking for a non-drug alternative to reduce your IBS-related pain?


IB-Stim is a non-invasive device that works by sending subtle electrical impulses into cranial nerve branches in the ear. This stimulation then targets brain regions involved in processing pain. The IB-Stim has already been FDA approved for treating functional abdominal pain associated with IBS in children but not FDA approved in adults.

Participants must be:

  • 18-60 years of age
  • Diagnosed with IBS
  • Not pregnant or breastfeeding
  • Have no significant neurological or psychological medical history

Participation consists of :

  • 4 visits over 1 month plus follow-up online questionnaires
  • Each visit: New IB-STIM device placement
  • Device work 5 days a week for 4 weeks

Compensation:

  • Earn up to $175 for completing all visits
  • Free parking

To learn more about participating in this study, please contact Dr. Adrienne Lenhart at [email protected]

This study is conducted by Lin Chang, MD, co-director of the G. Oppenheimer Center for Neurobiology of Stress and Resilience.

Protocol ID: IRB#19-001796 UCLA IRB Approval Date: 7/8/2021 Through: 5/11/2023 Committee: Medical IRB