What are Clinical Research Studies?

Medications in the United States that are sold by prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) must be properly tested in order to ensure that they treat the condition that they were designed for, and pose no significant risk to the people that take them. Side effects are a ubiquitous with all drugs. New medications are first tested in animals, in pre-clincal trials. This is done so that researchers can acquire a better understanding for how the drugs will react in humans. After animal testing is complete, researchers will then test the medication in humans for efficacy, which is called a clinical study. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and an Institutional Review Board (IRB) oversee all clinical studies. While the FDA’s primary focus is both the safety and effectualness of research studies, the IRB’s only purpose is to protect the research subjects rights. A Principal Investigator – a medical doctor trained to conduct research studies properly, safely and ethically oversees the research study. Participants who are qualified and agree to participate in the study may be required to attend numerous study visits. During these visits study participants are well cared for by investigators and clinical staff. 

ADHD

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder commonly referred to as ADHD or AD/HD or ADD for short is a neurobehavioral developmental disorder. Each of the behaviors, attention problems and hyperactivity rarely occur alone. Learn more about ADHD here.

Depression

Depression is a state of low mood and aversion to activity that sometimes affect a person’s thoughts, behavior, feelings and physical well-being. Sadness, anxiety, emptiness, hopelessness, worthlessness, guilt, irritability, or restlessness may all be felt as symptoms of depression. Learn more about Depression here.

Anxiety

Anxiety is a psychological and physiological state characterized by sensual, emotional, cognitive, and behavioral elements. Anxiety is capable of creating feelings of fear, worry, uneasiness and dread. Learn more about Anxiety here.

Fibromyalgia

Actually a common syndrome in which people experience long-term, body-wide pain and tender points in joints, muscles, tendons, and other malleable tissues. Learn more about  Fibromyalgia here.

Binge Eating Disorder

Binge eating disorder (BED) is the most common eating disorder in the United States. BED affects 3.5% of American females and 2% of American males. Up to 30% of those inquiring about weight loss treatment suffer from the disorder. Learn more about Binge Eating Disorder here.

Diabetic Nerve Pain

Diabetes is able to cause a dangerous nerve pain called peripheral neuropathy. Peripheral neuropathy is a complication with the nerves that carry information to and from the brain, spinal cord, and then on to the rest of the body. Learn more about Diabetic Nerve Pain here.

Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder involves periods of highs or irritable mood (mania), alternating with periods of lows or depression. These “mood swings” can be very abrupt for the person suffering. One moment the patient feels mania then sudden depression.  Learn more about Bipolar Disorder here.

Insomnia

Insomnia is difficulty getting to sleep or staying asleep. Not feeling refreshed after sleep lasting for at least one month is also a symptom of Insomnia. Symptoms of Insomnia include: Difficulty falling asleep on most nights; Feeling tired during the day or falling asleep during the day. Learn more about Insomnia here.