Active clinical trials for "Syndrome"

To examine the effects of psychological stress on the metabolic syndrome.

RATIONALE: The identification of gene mutations in individuals who have or are at risk for von Hippel-Lindau syndrome may allow doctors to better determine the genetic processes involved in the development of cancer. PURPOSE: This genetic study is finding gene mutations in participants with von Hippel-Lindau syndrome or who are at risk for developing von Hippel-Lindau syndrome.

RSH/Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome (SLOS) is one that causes mental retardation. It is common in the Caucasian population but rare in African American and African black populations. It has been shown that SLOS is caused by a specific defect in DHCR7, an enzyme used in cholesterol metabolism. Studies have already been done to determine the frequency of the SLOS-causing mutations in various geographic Caucasian populations. This study will investigate the frequency of the DHCR7 mutations in the African American population. If the frequency observed suggests that SLOS cases are not being identified in this ethnic group, the study will provide the rationale for future studies to identify these patients. The sample size will be 1,600. The study population will consist of archived biological specimens in the form of newborn screening blood spots from two newborn screening centers, one in Maryland and one in Pennsylvania. Subjects will be of African American ethnicity, including blacks of African, Caribbean, and Central American descent. Genomic DNA will be extracted from blood spots and screened for the six common SLOS mutations. If SLOS syndrome is found, followup will be attempted for the Maryland samples (the Pennsylvania samples will be totally anonymous).

To investigate the genetic influence of candidate gene polymorphisms on risk factors for the metabolic insulin resistance syndrome in Japanese American sibships and kindreds. The original grant in 1994 had as its objective to understand the genetic epidemiology of coronary heart disease (CHD) risk factors in Japanese- American families with probands living in Seattle, Washington.

To define the prevalence of Sleep Apnea Syndrome (SAS) in a community-based sample of Hispanic adults.

This study will examine the effects of the drug Ropinirole on spinal cord reflexes and on symptoms of restless legs syndrome (RLS). Patients with RLS have uncomfortable sensations in the legs, usually in the evening or early part of the night. Most patients also have periodic involuntary leg movements. The condition tends to worsen over time, resulting in severe discomfort and sleep disturbances. Ropinirole affects chemical messengers thought to be involved in spinal cord function and in modulating RLS symptoms. Healthy normal volunteers and patients with RLS between 18 and 80 years of age may be eligible for this study. Patients must have mild to moderate RLS and periodic limb movements. All candidates will be screened with a medical history, physical and neurological evaluations, electromyogram (see below), polysomnogram (see below), electrocardiogram (ECG), and blood and urine tests. They may also have magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computerized tomography (CT) scans and a chest x-ray. Participants must stop taking all medications prohibited by the study for at least 1 week before the study starts and throughout its duration. The study will last approximately 2 to 3 weeks for healthy volunteers and 7 to 8 weeks for patients. Participants will undergo the following baseline evaluations: electroencephalography (EEG), a measure of brain wave activity; polysomnography (PSG), an overnight sleep study; electromyography (EMG), a measure of muscle activity; and spinal flexor reflex studies (spinal cord responses to electrical stimulation). For these studies, several electrodes are attached to the scalp or to the legs and arms using a cream that helps conduct brain signals through the cables to be recorded. The nervous system activity can be assessed at rest or after stimulation with an electric current. For EMG, a small needle is inserted into a few muscles and the subject is asked to relax or to contract the muscles. The electrical activity of the muscle cells is recorded and analyzed by a computer. Spinal flexor reflex studies usually involve stimulating the nerves in the legs with very brief electric currents of mild to moderate intensity. Flexor reflex studies will be done early in the night while the subject is awake and also during sleep. Brain, muscle and breathing activities will be monitored continuously during sleep. A suggested immobilization test (SIT) will be done around 10 p.m. During the test, the subject sits still for about 1 hour, while the leg muscle activity is recorded using special electronic devices attached to the skin. At the end of the test, volunteers will be asked questions about symptoms they may have experienced during the test, and patients will be asked questions about their RLS symptoms during the test. After the baseline tests, participants will be randomly assigned to take either Ropinirole tablets or a placebo (a look-alike inactive substance) daily for 5 weeks. They will be admitted to the NIH Clinical Center for 3 to 4 nights at the end of the second week and for 2 nights at the end of the study to repeat the baseline tests described above. Volunteers will take Ropinirole or placebo daily for 1 week. They will be admitted to the Clinical Center for 3 to 4 days at the beginning and then at the end of the study for repeat testing. Medical examinations, ECGs and blood tests will be done at various times during the study for safety monitoring. Patients' blood pressure will be monitored weekly. Small amounts of blood will be drawn up to three times each day for routine studies, research and drug levels. Throughout the study volunteers will complete questionnaires for evaluation of possible RLS symptoms, and patients will have their symptoms assessed using a RLS Severity Rating Scale. Two weeks after the study ends, participants will be interviewed by telephone about any adverse experiences.

This study aims to learn more about how the immune and hormonal systems function in patients with Sjogren's syndrome, a disease in which the immune system does not function properly. Adult nonpregnant females are invited to participate. Oral contraceptives may not be taken for 6 weeks before and during this study, so another form of birth control must be used, such as abstinence. There will be two visits. At the first visit, a medical history and physical examination will be conducted, and blood and urine tests will be done. The total amount of blood drawn will be 10 tablespoons. This visit will last 3 hours. At the second visit, participants will have an oral glucose tolerance test. To prepare for it, they must be on a special diet for 3 days beforehand and keep a diary of eating, sleeping, and physical activities for those 3 days. A urine sample will be taken at the beginning of the visit. Subjects must then drink a very sweet carbonated cola. A small plastic tube will be placed into an arm vein. Blood will be drawn through this tube eight times over 3 hours. The total amount of blood drawn will be 17 tablespoons. Only minor inconveniences are anticipated as a result of participating in this study. Risks from blood tests include soreness, bruising, and minor infection at the puncture site, and dizziness. The oral glucose tolerance test may cause temporary stomach bloating, headache, nausea, and vomiting.

OBJECTIVES: I. Evaluate whether chronic hypercortisolemia is specifically toxic to hippocampal cells and causes structural reduction of hippocampal volume in patients with Cushing's syndrome. II. Determine whether reduced hippocampal volume is associated with specific memory dysfunction. III. Examine the relationships of adrenal androgen to hippocampal volume and memory dysfunction. IV. Examine the reversibility of hippocampal structural changes and cognitive dysfunction after cortisol levels are normalized.

Background: A person s dental health depends on many factors. Some are social, economic, or behavioral. Some are environmental. People with Sj(SqrRoot)(Delta)gren s Syndrome have a change in the amount and quality of saliva. This may affect dental health. Researchers want to study the dental health needs of people with this and other salivary gland problems. They will compare these findings with healthy volunteers. This will help them improve health care for these groups of people. Objectives: To study dental health needs of people with salivary gland problems and healthy volunteers. To study the disparities in dental health between these groups. Eligibility: Adults 18 and older who were in a Sj(SqrRoot)(Delta)gren s Syndrome study Healthy volunteers the same age Design: Participants will take an online survey. It should take less than 30 minutes. They can skip any questions. They will be asked about dental health, general health, and well-being. Information in the survey will be kept secure.

This study is designed to investigate the usage & effects of prophylactic HS preloading, with two different concentrations, to combat the expected dilutional hyponatremia induced by irrigating fluid absorption and to prevent the occurrence of TURP syndrome with its potential complications