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Active Research Studies

A list of ongoing VA Providence Research studies.

BalanceD-HF

Principal Investigator:

Gaurav Choudhary, MD

Description:

Study to explore the effectiveness of two medications in individuals with heart failure and reduced kidney function.

Discipline:

Cardiology/Heart Failure

Contact Person:

Sophia Piperata

BETTER COPD-PH

Principal Investigator:

Matthew Jankowich, MD

Description:

To evaluate the effectiveness of FDA approved drug, Tadalafil, on shortness of breath in people with COPD and pulmonary hypertension.

Discipline:

Pulmonary

Contact Person:

Elena DeSanti

FORTE

Principal Investigator:

Jeannette Giedrimas, MD

Description:

Study to evaluate whether individuals who have had 1 or 2 small, benign polyps removed during colonoscopy should have their repeat colonoscopy exam at 10 years or should they have their repeat colonoscopy exams at both 5 and at 10 years.

Discipline:

Gastroenterology

Contact Person:

Gianne Procaccini

Elena DeSanti

Million Veteran Program (MVP)

Principal Investigator:

Satish Sharma, MD

Description:

The VA is inviting more than 1 million Veterans to help us understand how genes, lifestyle, military exposures and experience affect overall health.

Discipline:

General/Public Health

MVP Information Center:

Development of an AI Assistant for Individuals with Low Vision and Blindness

Principal Investigator:

David Rosler, MS

Description:

Testing a wearable device for daily living activities in Veteran who are legally blind.

Discipline:

Low Vision/Blindness

Contact Person:

Caite DeCesare

FXC - Depression

Principal Investigator:

Amanda Arulpragasm, PhD

Description:

Evaluate the impact of neuromodulation on motivational processes in Veterans with depression.

Discipline:

Mental Health/Depression

Contact Person:

Caite DeCesare

Low Intensity Focused Ultrasound: A New Paradigm for Depression and Anxiety

Principal Investigator:

Noah S. Philip, MD

Description:

Evaluating the safety and feasibility of the Brainsonix Pulsar 1002 low intensity focused ultrasound (LIFU) device used to target an area of the brain involved in depression and anxiety

Discipline:

Mental Health/Depression

Contact Person:

Julia Gillotti

EEG Biomarker in Response to TMS for Depression

Principal Investigator:

Noah S. Philip, MD and Amin Zand Vakili, MD, PhD

Description:

This study follows Veterans enrolled in the TMS Clinic. Weekly EEGs are done to assess biomarkers of treatment response. Multisite study.

Discipline:

Mental Health/Mood Disorder

Contact Person:

Noelle Marcotullio

Proof of Concept Trial: Cannabis Derivatives in Neuropathic Pain

Principal Investigator:

Jane Metrik, PhD

Description:

Use of cannabis and derivatives for chronic diabetic neuropathic pain.

Discipline:

Mental Health/Pain Management

Contact Person:

Katie Hostetler

Computational Nosologies (PTSD and MRI Study)

Principal Investigator:

Amin Zand Vakili, MD, PhD

Description:

Understanding PTSD and brain activity using MRI

Discipline:

Mental Health/PTSD

Contact Person:

Noelle Marcotullio

NES and Cognition

Principal Investigator:

Ryan Van Patten, PhD

Description:

A research study to find out if cognitive testing can be done virtually in Veterans with Psychogenic Non Epileptic Seizures.

Discipline:

Mental Health/Seizures

Contact Person:

Caite DeCesare

PTSD Nap Research Study

Principal Investigator:

John McGeary, MD

Description:

This study is investigating the prolonged first night effect in Veterans with PTSD with difficulty falling/staying asleep though in a familiar environment.

Discipline:

Mental Health/Sleep/PTSD

Contact Person:

Krista Collings

Pragmatic Evaluations of Events and Benefits of Lipid-Lowering in Older Adults (PREVENTABLE)

Principal Investigator:

Gaurav Choudhary, MD

Description:

Studying the benefit of statins for reducing the risk of dementia in Veterans 75 and older without current CVD or dementia.

Discipline:

Neurology/Cognitive Health

Contact Person:

Gianna Procaccini

Coronary Artery Calcium in the Pragmatic Evaluation of Events and Benefits of Lipid Lowering the Elderly (CAC PREVENTABLE)

Principal Investigator:

Gaurav Choudhary, MD

Description:

Sub-study of the Preventable main study. Participants must enroll in PREVENTABLE to enroll in CAC. Participants receive a CT scan of the chest to look at calcium in the coronary arteries.

Discipline:

Neurology/Cognitive Health

Contact Person:

Gianna Procaccini

Understanding Stroke Recovery (TRACT)

Principal Investigator:

David Lin, MD

Description:

Deconstructing post-stroke hemiparesis for revision neurorehabilitation (TRACT).

Discipline:

Neurology/Post Stroke Rehabilitation

Contact Person:

Jenny Hebert

Cannabis and Sleep Experiences (CASE) Study

Principal Investigator:

Benjamin Berey, PhD

Description:

This study seeks to develop & test procedures examining Veterans’ cannabis use & sleep using different forms of technology.

Discipline:

Mental Health

Contact Person:

Isabella Villafuerte

REDEFINE-HF

Principal Investigator:

Gaurav Choudhary, MD

Description:

This study seeks to see how well an FDA-approved medication works in people having a sudden heart failure event.

Discipline:

Cardiology/Heart Failure

Contact Person:

Gianna Procaccini