Clinical Research Directory

Blood Sampling for Research Related to Sickle Cell Disease

This study will collect representative blood samples from healthy children and adults and from children and adults who have unique red blood cell features that are related to sickle cell disease. Sickle cell disease is a blood disease that limits the ability of red blood cells to carry oxygen throughout the body. The purpose of the study is to collect a variety of blood samples that may then be used to investigate advances and potential new drug treatments for sickle cell disease. Volunteers must be at least 18 years of old. Samples will be taken both from healthy volunteers and from volunteers who have unique red blood cell features that are related to sickle cell disease. Candidates will be screened with a medical history. During the study, participants will undergo a one- to two-hour outpatient procedure at the National Institutes of Health Clinical Center. Once researchers have explained the study and obtained the participant s consent, participants will donate 8 cc (approximately 2 teaspoons) of blood. Because repeat testing helps researchers validate study findings, participants who have the unique red blood cell features mentioned above may also be asked if they are willing to return and donate another 2 cc to 8 cc of blood for additional studies. The amount of blood drawn will not exceed 50 ml with any eight-week period for adults or 7 cc within any six-week period for children.

CHOICES3: Sickle Cell Disease Parenting CHOICES

The study will use web-based data collection (SCKnowIQ) and intervention delivery strategies enhanced by nudges and tailored boosters in a sample of 430 adult men and women, aged 18-45 yr with SCD (Sickle Cell Disease) or SCT (Sickle Cell Trait), at-risk, and planning within 2 years to have a child free of SCD.

Achieving Understanding of the Natural History of Sickle Cell Trait (AUNT)

The main purpose of this study is to create a longitudinal cohort of those with Sickle Cell Trait (SCT) to better understand the hematologic phenotype for those that carry HbS, assess for differences in those with varying quantities of HbS and assess for potential clinical complications of SCT.

Bone Loss, Physical Function and Frailty in Older Women With Sickle Cell Trait Sickle Cell Trait

This is a cross-sectional, clinical research study comparing postmenopausal women of African Descent (AD) with different hemoglobin genotypes: normal and sickle cell trait (SCT). This research study has two purposes. The first purpose is to determine whether having SCT is a risk factor for the development of bone thinning in older women. The second purpose is to investigate whether women with SCT have reduced muscle function and increased frailty compared to women without SCT. The investigators estimate enrolling 50 female volunteers who are at least 50 years old and have not had a menstrual period for at least 12 consecutive months. Volunteers need not know whether they have SCT as this will be evaluated as part of the study.

Sickle Cell Kidney Biorepository

Kidney disease is a major cause of illness and death in people with sickle cell disease and sickle cell trait. Despite these concerning facts, we do not (1) have an in-depth understanding of how kidney disease starts in sickle cell disease and sickle cell trait, (2) have detailed insights into why kidney disease is worse in people with sickle cell disease and sickle cell trait, (3) have management options that are tailored to treating or preventing kidney disease in people with sickle cell disease or sickle cell trait. The SCeK Biorepository is a specialized, secure repository designed for the collection of blood and urine samples from people with sickle cell disease and sickle cell trait. These samples are connected to detailed medical records, with the sole purpose of allowing researchers to better understand how kidney disease starts and progresses in people with the sickle cell gene. By studying these stored samples (using new tests) together with health information, researchers can find better early warning signs of kidney injury and develop better ways to protect kidney health in people with sickle cell disease and sickle cell trait.

Sickle Cell Hemoglobinopathies and Bone Health

This research study has two purposes. The first purpose is to determine whether having sickle cell trait (SCT) is a risk factor for the development of bone thinning at an earlier age than expected. Nearly 10% of African Americans (AA) carry sickle cell trait and most of them are unaware of it. African Americans are less likely to develop thin bones than whites, but if they sustain a bone fracture, they are more likely to die from it. We believe having sickle cell trait may lead to bone thinning and predispose a subset of African Americans to dangerously thin bones. The second purpose is to try to understand why individuals with sickle cell disease (SCD) have thinner bones than healthy individuals do. Doctors have already discovered that people with sickle cell disease have very thin bones, but they have not determined why. Our study will try to identify whether the bone thinning is from the body not making enough bone or from the body losing bone once it is made.