Do You Use the Internet to Search for Health Information?
(November 14, 2011)

Researchers from the University of Pittsburgh Diabetes Institute are looking for participants to take part in a research study evaluating how individuals interact with online health resources. For the study, eligible participants will be asked to participate in a one-on-one interview, during which the participant will view a diabetes educational website, perform several computer-related tasks, and complete a series of questionnaires. Participants can receive up to a $35 gift card for participating in this study. You may be eligible if you are between the ages of 18 and 54, are African-American, are able to use the Internet, and have a personal e-mail account.

For more information, call 412-864-0163.

Research Program Teaching Mothers How to Talk to Teens About Sex
(November 14, 2011)

Are you a woman who has a child between the ages of 10 and 14 and do you live in Allegheny County? If so, you may be eligible to participate in a program to teach mothers how to talk to their children about sex. There will be four sessions, approximately three hours each. Participants and their teens will complete surveys and interviews, and will be compensated for their participation.

For more information, call the Akers Research Group at Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC at 412-641-4984.

How Does the Brain Change With Changes in Blood Pressure?
(November 14, 2011)

Researchers at UPMC are looking for healthy men and women between 35 and 60 years old, who have blood pressure in the high-normal range (systolic 120 to 139 and/or diastolic 80 to 89) to participate in a research study of how the brain changes with change in blood pressure. Participants must not have hypertension, heart or blood vessel disease, insulin dependent diabetes, or a chronic medical, physical, or psychiatric disease requiring medication. Participants will attend three sessions in a month’s time. Each session will last approximately two hours and one session will include an MRI. Payment at the completion of these sessions will be $150. Additionally, researchers will monitor your blood pressure over the next two years. At the end of this time, you will be asked to repeat the three sessions mentioned above for additional compensation.

For more information, contact Kim Novak at 412-246-6200 or novakkj@upmc.edu.

Study Recruiting Postmenopausal Women
(November 14, 2011)

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing are recruiting healthy female volunteers to participate in a research study that examines cognitive function among postmenopausal women. You may be eligible if you are a woman who has gone through menopause, are 75 years old or younger, and have no past diagnosis of cancer (except some skin cancers) or neurologic conditions.

For more information, contact Amanda Gentry at 412-624-6950 or amg168@pit.edu, or Marie Kratofil at 412-624-9966 or fmk6@pit.edu.

Are You 60 or Older and Experiencing Depression?
(November 14, 2011)

At least 50 percent of older adults fail to respond adequately to antidepressant medication. Researchers at the Late Life Evaluation and Treatment Clinic are looking for men and women ages 60 and older who are experiencing depression, to participate in a study that assesses the benefits and risks of a novel treatment strategy for treatment of resistant depression.

For more information, visit www.latelifedepression.org or contact Kelly Etherington at 412-246-6006 or e-mail etheringtonka@upmc.edu.

Women Helping Women Study
(November 14, 2011)

Researchers at the Center for Family Planning Research at Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC are looking for women to participate in a research study on preventing HIV in women through a vaginal ring. You may be eligible to participate if you are a healthy, HIV-negative woman, between the ages of 18 and 40, who is willing to be sexually abstinent for about eight weeks. Compensation up to $1,400 is paid via a debit card.

To find out more or to see if you are eligible, visit www.birthcontrolstudies.org or call 412-641-5496.

Are You Depressed?
(November 14, 2011)

Are you between the ages of 18 and 55? Have you been feeling down or depressed?  Are you not currently taking antidepressants or participating in any form of therapy? Researchers at UPMC are looking for adults with depression to participate in a study that examines how the brain functions when individuals try to solve personally stressing problems. Over two visits, participants will complete screening procedures, a clinical interview, questionnaires, and engage in problem solving tasks during an fMRI brain scan. Subjects will receive up to $50 for the first assessment, and up to $70 for the second assessment.

For more information, contact Olivia Conner at 412-383-8222.

Study About Changes in Self and Emotions in Youth
(November 14, 2011)

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh are looking for participants for a research study about the changes in self and emotions in youth with depressive symptoms. Adolescents between the ages of 12 and 14 who have been diagnosed with depression or have depressive symptoms may be eligible to participate. Eligible participants will be asked to complete questionnaires and perform computer tasks during a fMRI scan. Participants will receive a thorough depression assessment and referrals if needed. Compensation will be provided for participation.

For more information, contact Amanda Dwojak at 610-342-5409 or dwojaka@upmc.edu.