Clinical Research Directory

Pathophysiology of Dysautonomia and Postural Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) in Post-viral Syndromes and COVID-19

This study aims to better understand the biological mechanisms underlying dysautonomia and postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), including how these conditions may be related to COVID-19. Participants will attend a single research visit lasting approximately one hour, during which a blood sample will be collected for immune system and genetic analyses. Information from participants' medical records may also be reviewed to support the research. The knowledge gained from this study may help improve understanding, diagnosis, and treatment of dysautonomia in the future.

Unhide® Project: A Digital Health Platform to Collect Lifestyle Data for Brain Inflammation Research

The unhide® Project is a non-interventional, longitudinal research study designed to establish a secure data repository of demographic, health, and lifestyle information from individuals with brain inflammation and related neuroinflammatory conditions. Participants in the United States aged 2 years and older will provide self-reported health data, biometrics, and symptom diaries through the MyDataHelps™ app (branded as unhide® for this study). The goal is to create comprehensive longitudinal profiles to facilitate research into disease subtypes, causes, diagnostics, and potential treatments, as well as to identify potential participants for future optional studies. "Healthy" individuals without brain inflammation are also eligible to participate. The digital health research platform used in this study was originally developed and designed by Solve M.E and was called SolveTogether. The Brain Inflammation Collaborative (BIC) expanded upon Solve M.E.'s work to include related diagnoses, pediatric participants, enhance symptom tracking, and more. BIC and Solve M.E. combined Solve Together and unhide®, to create The unhide® Solve Together Unified Platform in 2025.

Long COVID Immune Profiling

Parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) is part of the body's autonomic nervous system(PNS) protects body against inflammation. Study shows that reduced PNS function activity is associated with persistent inflammation. Preliminary data from the studies shows, that post-COVID-19 POTS patients have reduced parasympathetic (PNS) function. Given that the PNS protects against inflammation, this clinical trial aims to prove that post-COVID-19 POTS is caused by reduced PNS activity, which in turn, contributes to persistent inflammation, orthostatic intolerance, and OI symptoms. The study will evaluate immune cell activation in post-COVID-19 POTS and patients with history of COVID-19 infection without sequelae and correlate this with the degree of decreased PNS activity.

Restoring Iron Deficiency in POTS

People with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) often have low red blood cell volumes and low ferritin in their blood (a marker of iron storage in the body). The purpose of this pilot study is to investigate whether giving iron to people with POTS who have low ferritin levels will increase the red blood cell volume and improve POTS symptoms.

Does a Periaqueductal Gray-vagus Nerve Interface Malfunction Explain the Nat hx With Its Numerous Co-morbidities?

Postural tachycardia syndrome (POTS) is a common and disabling disorder among adolescents. No epidemiologic data exist to support the often cited 0.5 to 2% prevalence. Case series suggest 3 to 5 times greater incidence in girls than boys. POTS is defined in children as daily chronic symptoms of orthostatic intolerance and a 40 bpm rise in heart rate in the first 10 minutes of a tilt study in the absence of orthostatic hypotension. POTS often develops after an acute event like an illness, infection, immunization, head trauma, psychological trauma or surgery. Natural history data are absent for POTS, though some outcome studies exist. Orthostatic symptoms improve in the majority and heart rate changes improve in 38% at 1 year. A 2-year follow up showed small improvement in comorbid symptoms of POTS in a 12 subject cohort followed yearly. In a pediatric 5-year outcome follow up questionnaire study, 86% of adolescents with POTS reported resolved, improved, or intermittent, symptoms, with primarily physical rather than mental health complaints.

Effect of Low Sodium Oxybate (LXB) on Autonomic Symptom Burden in Idiopathic Hypersomnia Patients With Postural Tachycardia Syndrome

The investigators hope to learn if low sodium oxybate (LXB) is an effective treatment for symptoms of idiopathic hypersomnia (IH) and postural tachycardia syndrome (POTS). Previous research has shown that patients with IH also report having symptoms associated with POTS. The researchers have observed that in patients with both IH and POTS, when patients' sleep quality improves, so do their POTS symptoms. The goal of this study is to test this in a controlled way by using LXB as a treatment for both IH and POTS in patients that have been diagnosed with both conditions.

The Effect of Physical Activity on Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome

Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) is a disorder of unknown origin characterized by orthostatic intolerance and increased heart rate (HR) of ≥ 30 beats/minute during orthostasis in the absence of orthostatic hypotension. In addition to the orthostatic intolerance and tachycardia, patients with POTS experience several debilitating symptoms including light-headedness, nausea, blurred vision, fatigue, mental confusion ("brain-fog"), chest pain and gastrointestinal problems. Several potential underlying mechanisms have been suggested for POTS including autonomic denervation, hypovolemia, hyperadrenergic stimulation and autoantibodies against adrenergic receptors. However, none of these proposed mechanisms has yet led to an effective treatment. Physical activity is recommended as a complimentary treatment in POTS in international guidelines. However, less is known regarding how physical activity could successfully be implemented in clinical practice in patients with POTS. Thus, in the current study, we aim to assess the effect of a 16-week specialized physical activity program in POTS.