Clinical trials

The main goal of this two-phase clinical trial is to learn whether local heat therapy, using heat pads applied to the legs, can enhance skeletal muscle health, physical function, and blood sugar control in a manner comparable to exercise, specifically High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT), in older individuals with prediabetes. The study aims to answer the following questions: 1. Does local heat therapy improve muscle architecture (e.g., muscle cross-sectional area, capillary density, mitochondrial content), glucose tolerance, and frailty indicators similarly to HIIT in older individuals with prediabetes? 2. Does local heat therapy as a pre-conditioning method enhance the skeletal muscle response to HIIT in older individuals with prediabetes?

This project aims to implement and evaluate a dyadic intervention (i.e., acceptance commitment therapy) for persons with AD/ADRD and their care partners. We hypothesize the intervention will be feasible, acceptable, and show preliminary efficacy of the dyadic interveniotns.

The overarching goal of this project is to evaluate a current evidence-based practice, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, for mental health conditions against Cognitive Behavioral Therapy plus two check-in calls a week for adults living in rural Texas.

The goal of this observational study is to learn about the real-world effects of selected obesity medications in adults undergoing medical weight management. The main outcomes of interest are changes in body composition, routine clinical markers, muscular performance, and nutritional intake over the course of treatment. Additionally, the influence of lifestyle factors on changes in these outcome variables will be examined. Participants beginning treatment with selected obesity medications will undergo periodic body composition and muscular performance testing, as well as complete online surveys about their nutritional intake and physical activity and exercise participation. Additionally, routinely collected clinical information will be evaluated.

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if an emotion regulation and self-monitoring intervention can help treat overweight and obesity in teens. The main question it aims to answer is: * Does emotion regulation and self-monitoring help reduce biases in teens with overweight and obesity? * Do changes in biases relate to changes in health functioning and health behavior? Researchers will compare the intervention to the provision of educational handouts about overweight and obesity to see if the intervention is more effective. Participants will: * Complete self-report questionnaires, an fMRI scan, and have their blood drawn * Received educational handouts or attend weekly telehealth group sessions weekly for four weeks and be asked to self-monitor their mood and behavior between sessions * Return to complete the same questionnaires, fMRI and blood draw procedures

The overarching goal of this project is to evaluate if evidence-based interventions can reduce PDG, burden, and stress in informal caregivers of individuals with dementia when provided over telehealth.

Many non-communicable diseases are diet-related and have a significant impact on public health. It is stated that global dietary shifts are needed to change disease patterns, highlighting the importance of nutrition in addressing public health issues, such as obesity. The field of nutrition has been dependent on clinical and observational studies; however, the emergence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming these approaches. ChatGPT may be used to provide dietary recommendations due to its high speed, extensive access to a variety of meal data, and low complexity. However, initial evaluations have shown that ChatGPT may be inaccurate in terms of safety and reliability, and traditional nutrition approaches are highly reliant on experts' knowledge and the validity of nutritional guidelines. It has been suggested that AI in nutrition may be beneficial; however, further investigations are needed. Our proposal aims to fill the represented critical evidence gaps. The study aims to compare the health effects of an AI-driven model with those of human professional guidelines for the treatment of obesity. Furthermore, investigators seek better strategies to utilize AI, if appropriate, for weight loss and other health benefits.

The overarching goal of this project is to evaluate if evidence-based interventions can reduce PDG, burden, and stress in informal caregivers of individuals with dementia

Young adults born very preterm (32 weeks gestation or earlier) do not respond well to aerobic exercise training, meeting the recommendations set by the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, where they do not increase their fitness level (or cardiorespiratory fitness). Thus, they do not receive the health benefits of exercise. Achieving physical fitness through aerobic exercise training is the most cost-effective method for preventing and treating many diseases. Young adults born very preterm also have a higher risk of these conditions. Thus, their inability to respond to increase their fitness is a major problem. One likely explanation for poor exercise trainability and increased heart disease risk in young adults born very preterm is the effect of the early birth on the major energy producers in all our cells: Mitochondria. During late-stage gestation, mitochondria change from relying on sugar as a major fuel source to fat. Unfortunately, individuals born very preterm miss this transition in fuel source reliance, which causes significant stress and damage to mitochondria. Mitochondria are critical for post-natal organ development; thus, it is thought that preterm birth-induced mitochondrial dysfunction is the underlying cause of poor trainability and high disease risk in young adults born very preterm. Indeed, mitochondrial dysfunction is evident in these individuals. To date, there is not a way to help young adults born preterm improve their fitness level. One likely target is in the mitochondria: it's DNA. Mitochondrial DNA helps determine how mitochondria function and can be damaged under stress. Our goal in this proposed work is to determine the role of mitochondrial DNA in mitochondrial dysfunction and its link to their poor trainability. Questions: 1. Are there mitochondrial DNA markers linked to mitochondrial dysfunction and poor exercise trainability in young adults very born preterm? 2. Do mitochondrial DNA in young adults born very preterm respond differently to aerobic exercise training than those born at term? The investigators expect this work will show mitochondrial DNA changes linked to mitochondrial dysfunction and poor trainability, which can be used for future targets to improve health. This work supports AHA mission by helping to identify a marker in individuals born very preterm linked to their higher heart disease risk and death early in life.

Our goal is to determine whether hydration status influences inflammation, and overall physiological performance in adults aged 45-65. Aim 1: The effects of 4-day mild dehydration followed by 4-day rehydration (defined as approximately 2-3% body mass loss) on H2O2, upstream inflammatory signal (NFkB), mitochondrial fragmentation, and autophagy in circulating PBMCs. Aim 2: The effects of 4-day mild dehydration followed by 4-day rehydration (defined as approximately 2-3% body mass loss) on fasting glucose, sleep performance, and strength performance. Participant will: complete a 4-day hydration protocol, followed by a 4-day dehydration protocol, and then a 4-day rehydration protocol. attend five laboratory visits for testing: Day 1: Informed consent and familiarization Day 2: Pre-hydration testing (before the 4-day hydration protocol) Day 3: Pre-dehydration testing (before the dehyration protocol) Day 4: Post-dehydration testing (after the dehydration protocol) Day 5: Post-rehydration testing (after the rehydration protocol)

The main goal of this study is to find out if supplementing with resveratrol improves skeletal muscle adaptations to strengthening exercise (resistance training or strength training) in adults age 60+, and to determine whether circulating vehicles of inter-organ communication (extracellular vesicles) and their cargo might help explain those responses. The investigators will also examine whether resveratrol supplementation improves blood vessel function and cognitive function (brain health) in response to strength training.