UK Center for Clinical and Translational Science

Hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP) is a rare neurological condition that causes stiffness, weakness, and difficulty walking due to damage in the nerves that control movement. This study will test whether a noninvasive form of spinal cord stimulation, called transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation (tSCS), can improve walking and reduce muscle stiffness in adults with HSP. In this study, participants will receive tSCS twice a week for 8 weeks. The stimulation is delivered through self-adhesive electrodes placed on the skin over the lower back and does not require surgery. Each session will last about one hour. After the treatment period, participants will be followed for an additional 8 weeks without stimulation to see whether any improvements are maintained. Researchers will measure walking speed, walking endurance, muscle stiffness, and overall disease severity. Additional tests will explore changes in bladder and bowel function and muscle strength.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Apr 2026

open study

Stroke, severe brain injury, uncontrolled seizures and brain infections are the most common life-threatening neurological illnesses in the world with an estimated combined annual hospital management cost of up to 44 billion dollars. Seizures and infections are common complications following acute neurological illnesses and contribute significantly to poor outcomes if not promptly treated with appropriately dosed anti-seizure medications and antibiotics, respectively. Limited research suggested that many of those patients present with a phenomenon called augmented renal clearance (ARC) or, in other words, enhanced kidney function. ARC may have a significant influence on how medications are removed from the body potentially resulting in insufficient doses and treatment failure. Therefore, patients with ARC require higher medication doses; however, ARC is largely undetected using kidney assessment methods currently used in practice. In addition, it is not clear how medications should be dosed in those with ARC. The majority of ARC research has not focused on patients with life-threatening neurological illnesses. Thus, clinicians are likely under-dosing vital medications in those patients, and completely unaware. There is an immediate need to address the gap in knowledge. Therefore, this research aims to characterize the phenomenon of ARC in patients with life-threatening neurological illnesses through identifying the frequency, duration, contributing factors and clinical impact of ARC. Adult patients admitted to the neurosciences intensive care unit for life-threatening neurological illnesses will be enrolled in the study. Urine and blood samples wil be collected from participants to determine the presence of ARC and identify its contributing factors. In addition, blood samples will be collected from participants treated with select antibiotics and anti-seizure medications to determine their concentration and propose dose adjustment in those with ARC. This research is expected to improve the care of patients with life-threatening neurological illnesses through efficient identification and monitoring of patients exhibiting ARC facilitating timely medication dosage optimization. Furthermore, recommendations of optimal doses of commonly used medications in patients with ARC would improve the likelihood of treatment success with potential to improve patients' health and wellbeing.

Type: Observational

Start Date: Oct 2021

open study

The goal of this observational study is to learn how two medicines used in routine care-buprenorphine and morphine-affect recovery in newborns (≥36 weeks' gestation) with Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome (NOWS). The main questions it aims to answer are: 1. Do infants treated with buprenorphine become medically ready for discharge sooner than those treated with morphine? 2. Does one treatment lead to better overall clinical outcomes than the other? Researchers will compare infants who received buprenorphine with infants who received morphine to see whether one treatment helps babies recover more quickly. Participants will not be asked to do anything. Instead, the study team will collect information already documented in the infant's and mother's medical records securely without any contact or changes to clinical care. No new medicines, procedures, or visits are involved. This study only reviews existing clinical data to better understand which commonly used treatment may support faster recovery for newborns with NOWS.

Type: Observational [Patient Registry]

Start Date: Dec 2025

open study

The goal of this clinical trial is to help learn about the safety and feasibility of hepatic artery infusion chemotherapy for those who have colorectal liver metastases, both resectable and unresectable, or unresectable intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. The main questions it aims to answer are: - safety and feasibility of installing a pump that deliveries chemotherapy to the hepatic artery (the blood vessel that supplies blood to the liver) - help learn more about the safety of patients having pump refills at home or a local clinic versus having it routinely done at the hospital Participants will have surgery to install a pump which is a standard surgical procedure. After surgery, participants will select to either receive treatment at the hospital facility or with a community oncologist that will provide cancer care to participants close to home, rather than in a large hospital or academic medical center. The main treatment on study will last about 3-4 months.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jan 2026

open study

This study will evaluate hiatal hernia recurrence rate and post-operative complications following the use of OviTex Core Resorbable or OviTex 1S Resorbable.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jul 2025

open study

The overarching goal of the Kentucky LEADS Collaborative Lung Cancer Survivorship Care program is to reduce the burden of lung cancer by offering an innovative survivorship care approach that improves lung cancer quality of life, overcomes lung cancer stigma, and helps survivors engage with care. The project involves a two-group parallel randomized clinical trial comparing the impact of the Kentucky LEADS Collaborative Lung Cancer Survivorship Care program (KLCLCSC) among lung cancer survivors (N=300) against an enhanced usual care condition (bibliotherapy+assessment) on quality of life outcomes.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Aug 2024

open study

This is a prospective study involving all patients treated at the University of Kentucky for spinal epidural abscess over a 2-year period. Based on ongoing referrals of patients with SEA, we expect that 200 patients will be enrolled during this time window. We propose to study all available clinical, pathological, radiological, and socioeconomic data of patients diagnosed with a spinal infection with or without a history of drug abuse over this study period. All patients' charts will be prospectively reviewed starting at the time of presentation for a period of 1 year.

Type: Observational

Start Date: Jul 2022

open study

The investigator hypothesizes that treatment with the ß3 agonist mirabegron results in improved glucose metabolism, including a reversal of prediabetes in obese, insulin-resistant human research participants, and this is further improved by combination therapy with tadalafil. The investigator will comprehensively analyze glucose homeostasis in prediabetic patients treated for 14 weeks with mirabegron, tadalafil or both drugs as compared to a placebo.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Dec 2021

open study

Mental contamination-an internal experience of dirtiness evoked in the absence of physical contact with an external source-has been linked to the development and maintenance of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following exposure to sexual abuse or assault (Adams et al., 2014; Badour et al., 2013; Brake et al., 2017). Mental contamination has been associated with greater PTSD severity (Rachman et al., 2015) and higher elevations in specific PTSD symptom clusters (particularly those of intrusive reexperiencing, negative cognitions/mood, and arousal/reactivity; Brake et al., 2019; Fergus & Bardeen, 2016). Additionally, trauma-related mental contamination has been linked to a number of negative posttraumatic emotions such as shame, guilt, disgust, and anger (Fairbrother & Rachman, 2004; Radomsky & Elliott, 2009) Despite clear and consistent links between mental contamination and problematic posttraumatic outcomes following sexual trauma, there is a dearth of research investigating how existing or promising new interventions for PTSD impact mental contamination. Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) is an efficacious and effective 12-session manualized cognitive-behavioral intervention for PTSD that is considered a gold-standard empirically-supported treatment for PTSD that is recommended by the American Psychological Association (APA, 2017). In addition to PTSD symptom improvement, CPT has also demonstrated benefit for improving feelings of shame and guilt, which are often seen among individuals with trauma-related mental contamination (Nishith et al., 2005; Resick et al., 2002, 2008). Cognitive reappraisal, a primary technique employed in CPT, involves challenging one's view of an emotionally-eliciting situation to alter its emotional impact (Gross & John, 2003). However, some investigators have suggested that cognitive reappraisal may be less effective in targeting moral emotions such as shame, guilt, and self-disgust that are based on an individual's standards and virtues (Finlay, 2015). Self-compassion (SC; i.e., self-directed care and kindness; forgiveness; and feelings of common humanity; Neff, 2003) has been proposed as an alternative method for addressing trauma-related shame and preliminary evidence suggests a 6-session self-compassion intervention may have benefit for reducing both PTSD symptoms and trauma-related shame (Au et al., 2017). Given the centrality of shame, guilt, and self-disgust to the experience of mental contamination, and the fact that mental contamination often arises in response to experiences involving moral violation or betrayal (Millar et al., 2016; Rachman, 2010), a SC intervention for PTSD may also offer promise as a standalone or adjunctive intervention for reducing trauma-related mental contamination. A test of these interventions for their impact on reducing trauma-related mental contamination is needed. The current study will use Single Case Experimental Design to isolate and evaluate the effects of CPT and SC in reducing both PTSD symptoms and trauma-related mental contamination among individuals with PTSD resulting from sexual trauma. Aims: 1) explore whether participants demonstrate reductions in mental contamination and PTSD symptoms in response to 12-sessions of CPT or 6-sessions of a SC intervention; 2) evaluate whether presentation of either treatment first yields differences in symptom reduction for PTSD and/or mental contamination symptoms; 3) evaluate whether the addition of the alternative module will enhance reductions in PTSD symptoms and mental contamination; 4) evaluate if such reductions are maintained during follow-up. Visual inspection analysis and statistical methods will be used to draw conclusions regarding the effects of the interventions on PTSD symptoms and mental contamination.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Sep 2020

open study

Establish a data repository of patients who have undergone single, two-, or three-level lumbar instrumented arthrodesis procedures supplemented by the Implanet Jazz System.

Type: Observational [Patient Registry]

Start Date: Feb 2022

open study

The objective of this study is to identify the opioid-sparing effects, and pain-reduction potential of low dose, sub-dissociative ketamine on patients undergoing thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) procedures receiving naloxone continuous infusion (NCI).

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Dec 2020

open study

The REACH study is for people with CF who do not take cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) modulators. The goal of the REACH study is to collect research data, including health data and specimens, from people with CF who do not take CFTR modulators. This data may be used to inform CF research, help design CF clinical trials and support the development of new treatments for people with CF who do not take CFTR modulators. Another goal of this study is to learn about research involvement for people with CF who do not take CFTR modulators, engage them in research, and give them an opportunity to learn about what is involved in participating in a CF research study.

Type: Observational

Start Date: Sep 2024

open study

The investigators propose a Phase I single surgical-center, double-blinded randomized parallel clinical trial involving bilateral autologous peripheral nerve tissue (PNT) delivery into the NBM or the alternate target also affecting cognition in this population, the substantia nigra (SN), to address "repair cell" support of these areas. Twenty-four participants with idiopathic Parkinson's Disease (PD) who have selected, qualified and agreed to receive as standard of care deep brain stimulation (DBS) will be enrolled and randomly allocated to receive bilateral PNT deployment to either the NBM or SN at the time of DBS surgery. Participants will be allocated equally among both assignments over the course of three years (8 Year 1, 10 Year 2, 6 Year 3). Participants will be evaluated for neurocognitive, motoric function, activities of daily living, and quality of life at enrollment before surgery, two-weeks after surgery, and 6, 12, and 24 months after surgery.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jul 2025

open study

The goal of this study is to learn if PT150 can reduce the behavioral and physical effects of stress, alcohol, and alcohol use in people with alcohol use disorder.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Feb 2025

open study

Ziftomenib is an investigational drug in development for the treatment of patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with eligible genetic alterations. Ziftomenib is a type of therapy known to target the menin pathway in cancer cells. This protocol has 2 separate studies that will investigate the benefits and risks of adding ziftomenib to standard-of-care (SOC) AML treatments in patients with certain genetic mutations who have not received any treatment for their AML. In the first study, the Nonintensive Therapy Study, older patients or those with serious medical problems will receive the SOC therapies venetoclax (ven) and azacitidine (aza), plus either ziftomenib or a placebo. In the second study, the Intensive Therapy Study, medically fit patients will receive (a) the SOC therapies cytarabine and daunorubicin, plus either ziftomenib or a placebo during a first treatment phase called induction, (b) cytarabine plus either ziftomenib or a placebo during a second treatment phase called consolidation, and (c) ziftomenib or a placebo during a third treatment phase called maintenance. The physician will determine which study is the appropriate treatment for the patient, but neither the patient nor their physician will know whether the patient has been assigned to receive ziftomenib or a placebo. This design is called "double-blinded".

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Sep 2025

open study

Use biospecimens procured from patients and organ donors to improve understanding of molecular, cellular, and tissue-level processes produced by cardiovascular disease and therapeutic interventions

Type: Observational

Start Date: Jun 2008

open study

This study will enroll patients with cancer and participants will be randomized to receive one dose of cannabis for approximately 4 months. There is a 3/4 (or 75%) chance that a participant will receive an active cannabis dose in the study. There is a 1/4 (or 25% chance) that a participant will receive a placebo dose (meaning a blank dose/no cannabis/no active drug). The goals of this study are to determine 1) the safety and tolerability of cannabis in individuals with cancer and 2) if cannabis can help with the side effects of cancer and cancer treatment - including nausea and vomiting, appetite, pain, sleep, and quality of life.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jun 2025

open study

A prospective, retrospective, non-randomized, multicenter study with two independent hernia study cohorts (Ventral / Incisional Hernia Repair and Diaphragmatic / Hiatal Hernia Repair). The primary objective of this study is to collect GORE® ENFORM Biomaterial product commercial-use data on device functional performance and short-term patient experience.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: May 2021

open study

This is an optimization pathway for lung cancer screening programs. Enrolled programs will undergo an audit for elements associated with improved quality and retention of patients in the screening process. A feedback report is delivered to identify priorities for process improvement.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Apr 2025

open study

This is a Phase I/II, open-label, non-randomized, multi-center study in patients with extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC) to determine the recommended dose(s) (RD) and to evaluate the safety, tolerability and preliminary efficacy of DJI136.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jun 2026

open study

The goal of this prospective cohort study is to evaluate the clinical effects of post-induction methadone on perioperative pain control, opioid requirements, and recovery outcomes in adult patients undergoing elective spine surgery, with the goal of improving postoperative analgesia and enhancing recovery efficiency. The main questions it aims to answer are the perioperative pain control and opioid requirements between the two groups. Post-induction methadone can offer equivalent or improved pain control following major spine procedures and reduce intra- and postoperative opioid requirements, improve perioperative pain control and shorten PACU stay. Researchers will compare perioperative opioid use (morphine equivalents (ME), during the intraoperative and postoperative periods (PACU and 24-hour totals) between the standard intraoperative opioid regimen group and the methadone group. Patients will be randomized preoperatively to one of two groups: (both groups will receive additional multimodal pain control including opioids, not including methadone, as needed) Standard intraoperative opioid regimen (control) Methadone 0.2 mg/kg (max 20 mg) If the patient is in the methadone group, the patient will receive a predetermined dose of Methadone (0.2mg/kg) intravenously after induction (they are given medications to sleep for surgery). They will proceed with surgery, and all patients will receive standard of care management regardless of whether they receive Methadone or not. Following the surgery, all study participants will be asked at set times about their pain level and, 24 hours after the surgery, will be asked if they are satisfied with their pain management for the surgery. Data regarding their clinical progression and pain control/pain medication requirements will be collected for the duration of the hospitalization.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jun 2026

open study

Reduced drug use is a clinically meaningful target for treatment development, but few studies have evaluated the positive impacts produced by this behavioral change, preventing adoption of this endpoint in clinical trials. The proposed research will fill that critical knowledge gap by demonstrating the biopsychosocial benefits of reduced methamphetamine use. These data will be used to change current accepted methamphetamine treatment endpoints and accelerate identification of therapies for methamphetamine use disorder.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jan 2026

open study

This study will investigate the feasibility of implementing a time-restricted eating intervention in females with mild cognitive impairment. Targeted therapeutic interventions that improve cognitive impairment and delay onset of ADRD are particularly important for females, who have twice the lifetime risk of developing AD, compared to males.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Apr 2024

open study

In this first-in human, phase I/IIa study, the safety and efficacy of [212Pb]VMT01, an alpha-particle emitting therapeutic agent targeted to melanocortin sub-type 1 receptor (MC1R) is being evaluated as a monotherapy and in combination with nivolumab in subjects with unresectable and metastatic melanoma.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jun 2023

open study

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) and anaplastic astrocytoma (AA) are the most common primary malignant brain tumors. Survival of patients with these brain tumors is directly related to the extent of resection. Consequently, a great deal of effort has been directed at developing techniques and technologies that allow more extensive, safe resections. This study will test a loupe-based wearable device in the clinical setting and compare its accuracy with a large operative microscope to identify tumor tissues. Postoperative histopathological analysis on tumor tissues will be used as gold standards for comparison. The outcome from this study will be a low-cost, miniaturized, easy-to-operate, loupe-based fluorescence imaging device for intraoperative guidance of brain tumor resection with the same level of accuracy as the large microscope.

Type: Observational

Start Date: Nov 2017

open study