Current Studies

Why Volunteer? 
What is a Clinical Trial; What Happens in a Clinical Trial; Why Should Minorities and Women Participate in Clinical Trials; Points to Remember.

Eating Disorders Research Program

The Eating Disorders Research Program at the University of Minnesota has been providing treatment and conducting research in the area of eating disorders since the 1970s. The program has been the recipient of several research grants from the National Institute of Health, the National Institute of Mental Health, and private foundations such as the McKnight Foundation. The investigators who oversee the clinic have become internationally known for their research in this area.

The Eating Disorders Research Program conducts studies on Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa and Binge Eating Disorder. Currently, the clinic is conducting treatment studies on Bulimia Nervosa and symptoms of Bulimia Nervosa.

Anorexia Nervosa Diary Study:  Female volunteers age 18 and older with symptoms of Anorexia Nervosa are needed for a study at the University of Minnesota.  This is not a treatment study.  Compensation up to $200.  For more information please call  612-627-1991.

Women ages 18 and older with sypmtoms of anorexia are needed for a research study providing free psychotherapy. For more information about this University of Minnesota study, please call Dr. Margit Berman at 612-625-9501 or Dr. Kerri Boutelle at 612-626-2633.

Eating Disorder Research Study: Women ages 18 and older who struggle with binge eating and purging are needed for a research study providing free therapy. For more information about this University of Minnesota Study, please call 612-627-1991 

Borderline Personality Disorder Studies

Medication/Brain imaging study for females ages 18-45: This study is an open-label (no placebo) olanzapine PET scan study. This study involves 12 visits, 3 which are brain imaging scans. Participants will have a Baseline MRI scan and PET scan of their brains, then take olanzapine 2.5-7.5mg for the first 4 weeks, then maintain a dose of 7.5mg for the remaining 4 weeks.  Participants will then have a repeat PET scan at the end of the 8 weeks.  Participants need to be currently NOT taking any psychiatric medication or have active substance abuse.  Weekly assessment visits. $25/visit.  For more information, please call Ann at 612-273-9722.

Bipolar Study

No current study enrollment.

Depression Studies

Have your previous medication treatments failed to improve your depression symptoms?  Men and women 18 years and older are needed for a research study at the University of Minnesota adding an investigational medication to FDA-approved anti-depressant medications for depression. If you suffer from depression, and medications don't seem to be helping, you may be eligible to participate.  Study medications are provided at no cost to participants.  For more information, please call Victoria at 612-627-4890.    

Impulse Control Disorders Clinic: Research Studies

Gambling Study
Seeking volunteers for a treatment study using an investigational drug for gambling addiction.  Participants must be at least 18 years old.  Call 612-273-9736 with questions or to get more information.

Kleptomania (Compulsive Shoplifting) Study
Do you shoplift?  Is it causing problems?  Does it feel out of control?  We are currently seeking volunteers for a drug study for shoplifting.  You must be 17 years of age or older to participate.  Please call 612-273-9736 for more information.

Trichotillomania (Hair-pulling) Study
Do you pull your hair?  Does it feel out of control?  We are currently seeking volunteers for drug study for hair-pulling.  Must be 18 years of age or older to participate.  Please call 612-273-9736 for more information.

Methamphetamine Dependence Study
Does crystal meth control your life?  Are you trying to stop?  Seeking volunteers for an investigational drug treatment study for methamphetamine dependence.  Must be 18 years of age or older to participate. Please call 612-273-9736 for more information.

Pyromania study
Seeking volunteers for a research study using a medication for pyromania. Must be at least 16 years old. Call 612-273-9736 or 612-627-4363 for more information.

Skin Picking Study
Do you pick your skin? Is it causing problems? Does it feel out of control? Seeking volunteers for a drug study for skin picking. Must be at least 18 years old. Call 612-273-9736 or 612-627-4363 for more information.

Compulsive Sexual Behavior Study
Seeking volunteers for a research study using a medication for compulsive sexual behavior. Must be at least 21 years old. Call 612-273-9736 or 612-627-4363 for more information.

Fear of Public Speaking Study

Volunteers are needed for a study to see if a medication called Quetiapine will improve symptoms of anxiety when speaking in public. Each subject will have two sessions of giving a short speech to a Virtual Reality Audience. Preceding this speech the subject will be given Quetiapine or a placebo drug. Neither the subject nor the researcher will know which pill has been given to the subject.

We are looking for Students between the ages of 18-25 who have experienced a fear of public speaking. If you qualify to participate in this study you would be asked to attend two sessions a week apart, with each session lasting anywhere from 80-120 minutes. A small stipend is offered. For more information please call Tom at 612-273-9868

Schizophrenia Research

CONNECT Study
The Schizophrenia Program at the University of Minnesota is seeking volunteers with schizophrenia to participate in a 6 month cognition study. This study involves adding an investigational medication to participants who are taking FDA-approved antipsychotics.   Neurocognitive assessments and medication are provided at no cost. Participants will be reimbursed for their travel and time expenses. For more information, please call: 612-627-4840 or email: schizophrenia@umn.edu.

Metabolic Study
Patients who are overweight with high cholesterol but not diabetes, currently taking Zyprexa, Risperdal, or Seroquel are needed for a STN sponsored trial called Comparison of Antipsychotics for Metabolic Problems (CAMP). The study will compare the effect of an individualized nutrition/exercise program with a switch of medication to Abilify over a 6 month period. Subjects must be 18-65 with a diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. Antipsychotic medication, psychiatric care, metabolic testing, and the behavioral program are all at not cost to participants.  Contact the Program at 612-627-4840 or schizophrenia@umn.edu for more information or if interested in participating.

Schizophrenia Brain Imaging Study
Volunteers are needed for a brain imaging study at the University of Minnesota, Medical School, Department of Psychiatry.  If you have Schizophrenia or other related illnesses, and are between the ages of 18 and 60, you may be eligible for a MRI study.  This is not a medication trial. A stipend is offered.   Flexible appointments are available to fit your scheduling needs.  For more information, please call Schizophrenia Research at 612-627-4825 or email schizophrenia@umn.edu