Sponsor or institution
Clinical trials and research at Rush University Medical Center
As of November 12, 2026, Find a Trial lists 47 clinical trials run by Rush University Medical Center that are recruiting, at sites in 2 countries (most in United States (47), Mexico (1)). By phase: Phase 4 (6), Phase 1/2 (3), Phase 2 (3), Early Phase 1 (2). There are also 209 NIH-funded research projects at this institution, with $159.4 million in listed awards. Every study is explained in plain English. Data from ClinicalTrials.gov and NIH RePORTER, updated November 12, 2026.
- 47Clinical trials
- 209NIH research projects
- 2Countries
Newest trials
All recruiting trials (47)
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Pharmacist-led blood pressure care delivered in Chicago neighborhoods
This program tests whether a mobile pharmacist-led team can help adults with uncontrolled high blood pressure on Chicago's West and South Sides lower their blood pressure when care is offered in trusted community settings.
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Paracervical Block With Ketorolac and Lidocaine for Osmotic Dilator Placement
This study tests whether a ketorolac and lidocaine injection around the cervix improves pain control for people needing osmotic dilators before a second-trimester abortion.
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PTSD treatment delivered by your primary care nurse
This will test whether nurses trained to deliver a short, four-session trauma therapy can help primary care patients who develop PTSD after a recent life-threatening heart or stroke event.
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Holmium laser versus electrohydraulic lithotripsy for difficult bile duct and pancreatic duct stones
This will test whether a low-power holmium laser works and is as safe as electrohydraulic lithotripsy for adults with large or hard-to-remove bile duct or pancreatic duct stones.
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How skin tone affects pulse oximeter oxygen readings
This study will see if pulse oximeters give different oxygen readings in adults with different skin tones by comparing their readings to arterial blood gas measurements.
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PRISM: A program to support weight management in patients who stopped obesity medications in primary care
This pilot tests a new program added to usual care to help adults who have stopped anti-obesity medicines see if it’s doable and acceptable in primary care.
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How recreation influences choices that affect heart and metabolic health
This project will test whether increasing access to enjoyable recreational activities helps adults at risk for heart disease and type 2 diabetes make healthier daily choices.
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Comparing two knee braces for medial knee osteoarthritis
This test compares the ROAM OA brace and the Ossur Unloader One brace to see if they reduce pain and improve walking in people with medial knee osteoarthritis.
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Personalized COPD education, inhaler training, and activity program
This project will test whether self-management education, inhaler training, and a home-based physical activity program help people with COPD who had a hospital stay in the past year breathe better and avoid future hospitalizations.
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KRONOS vs Breg T‑Scope knee braces after ACL reconstruction
This study tests whether the KRONOS postoperative knee brace reduces pain and helps adults recover faster than the standard Breg T‑Scope after ACL reconstruction.
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Brain-computer visualization training to improve muscle activation after orthopedic surgery
This tests whether adding EEG-based neurofeedback visualization to usual physical therapy helps adults recovering from ACL, hip, or knee surgery activate their muscles better and speed recovery.
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Two ways to support breathing during ventilator weaning in adults
This will test whether automatic tube compensation or pressure support ventilation helps adults on a ventilator for more than 24 hours get their breathing tube removed successfully.
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Preventive screening and health coaching for people facing food insecurity
A health coaching program delivered virtually is being tested to see if it lowers heart-disease risk and improves blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes markers in low-income adults who have limited access to food and healthcare.
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A team-based approach to improve hypertension control
This study is testing a new team-based approach to help African American and Latinx patients in Chicago better manage their high blood pressure by combining medical care with community support.
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Comparing single-use and reusable duodenoscopes for treating biliary and pancreatic disorders
This study is testing whether a single-use duodenoscope is safer and more effective than a reusable one for treating patients with biliary and pancreatic disorders.
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Markers of thinking and memory decline after spontaneous brain hemorrhage
This project will test whether silent brain infarcts seen on MRI predict faster thinking and memory decline in adults who had a spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage.
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Computerized social cognition training for adults with Huntington's disease
This project will test whether a computerized program can help adults with Huntington's disease better understand other people's emotions and social cues.
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Constrained condylar versus posterior-stabilized bearings in revision knee replacement
This study will test whether constrained condylar (CCK) or posterior-stabilized (PS) knee bearings give better satisfaction, fewer problems, and longer implant survival for adults getting revision total knee replacement.
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Using a nerve block to relieve acute back pain in the emergency department
This study is testing if a nerve block can help adults with acute low back pain in the emergency department feel better and recover faster compared to a placebo.
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Trying proven PTSD therapies again or switching approaches when the first treatment doesn't work
This study will test whether offering a second round of proven therapies or switching to a different therapy helps adults with PTSD who did not get better after their first treatment.
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Addressing diagnostic overshadowing in people with disabilities
This study looks at how doctors sometimes mistake new health problems for symptoms of a disability in people aged 3 to 89, to help create better training for healthcare providers.
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Combined CPT and Stellate Ganglion Block for PTSD in Adults
This study tests whether adding Stellate Ganglion Block to Cognitive Processing Therapy helps reduce PTSD symptoms more than CPT with placebo or SGB with daily monitoring.
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Timing of Breathing Trials for Patients on Ventilators
This study tests whether doing breathing trials earlier in the morning helps adult patients on ventilators recover faster and leave the ICU sooner compared to doing them later in the morning.
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Evaluating the use of ProVent-14 score by ICU clinicians for predicting patient mortality
This study tests if using the ProVent-14 score helps ICU doctors better predict the chances of survival for patients on mechanical ventilation for 14 days.
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Using nasal antiseptic to prevent Candida auris infections
This study is testing if a nasal antiseptic can help prevent Candida auris infections in people who have a history of this infection while they are in the hospital.
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Registry for patients with recurrent vasovagal syncope and bradyarrhythmias
This study is tracking how well different treatments work for people under 60 who have ongoing fainting spells and slow heart rates that don't get better with usual care.
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Exploring the effects of gut microbiota on inflammation in people with HIV and alcohol use disorder
This study tests whether taking prebiotics can help reduce inflammation and improve gut health in people with HIV who also struggle with alcohol use disorder.
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Ablation Index-guided treatment for ventricular tachycardia in heart disease patients
This study tests whether using a new technology to guide heart procedures can help people with heart disease and fast heartbeats feel better and have fewer problems later on compared to standard methods.
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Using esomeprazole to reduce radiation-induced esophagitis in lung cancer patients
This study is testing if the medication esomeprazole can help lung cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy avoid painful throat problems.
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Comparing Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate to Corticosteroid Injections for Knee Osteoarthritis
This study is testing whether injections of bone marrow concentrate can help people with knee osteoarthritis feel better compared to traditional corticosteroid injections.
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Comparing surgery and non-surgery for meniscus root tears
This study is testing whether surgery or non-surgery options are better for relieving pain and improving function in men with meniscus root tears.
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Using noninvasive breathing support for severely obese patients after extubation
This study is testing if using a combination of noninvasive breathing support methods can help severely obese patients breathe better after being taken off a ventilator and reduce the chances of needing to be put back on one.
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Comparing two types of airway clearance devices
This study is testing whether a high oscillatory airway clearance device works better than a low oscillatory one for helping adults clear mucus from their lungs.
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Using (2R,6R)-Hydroxynorketamine to treat neuropathic pain
This study is testing whether a new treatment called (2R,6R)-Hydroxynorketamine can help people with chronic nerve pain feel better compared to ketamine and saline.
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Preventing chronic pain by treating PTSD during acute pain episodes
This study is testing if treating PTSD symptoms during episodes of acute pain can help prevent people from developing chronic pain later on.
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Using bright light therapy to improve intestinal health in Crohn's disease
This study is testing if bright light therapy can help improve gut health and reduce inflammation in people with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
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Helping smokers practice quitting tobacco
This study is testing a new way to help smokers practice quitting tobacco by trying short breaks from smoking without pressure, comparing it to regular counseling, to see which method helps them make more quit attempts over six months.
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Understanding why low-income individuals struggle with weight loss
This study is trying to understand why people with lower incomes have a harder time losing weight and how to create better weight loss programs for them.
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Using Medrol Dosepak to manage pain after knee surgery
This study is testing if a medication called Medrol can help people feel less pain and recover better after knee surgery compared to a placebo.
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Using regional anesthesia to reduce opioid use in spine surgery
This study is testing if a special pain management technique can help people having spine surgery use less opioid medication after their operation.
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Comparing corticosteroid and PRP injections for shoulder arthritis treatment
This study tests whether corticosteroid injections or PRP injections work better to relieve pain for people with shoulder arthritis.
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Intermittent Dorsal Root Ganglion Stimulation for Chronic Pain Relief
This study is testing if a new way of using nerve stimulation can help people with chronic pain feel better compared to the usual constant treatment.
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Comparing NeuroVision to standard neuromonitoring during spinal surgery
This study is testing if a new monitoring system called NeuroVision can help prevent nerve injuries during spinal surgery better than the standard monitoring methods.
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Blood flow restriction therapy after hip surgery
This study is testing if a special therapy that restricts blood flow can help people recover stronger and faster after hip surgery for certain injuries.
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Investigating opioid prescriptions after hip arthroscopy
This study is testing if giving fewer pain pills after hip surgery can still help patients manage their pain while using less medication.
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Comparing dual mobility and single bearing designs in hip revision surgery
This study is testing if using dual mobility hip implants instead of single bearing designs can help patients who are having hip revision surgery avoid dislocations in the first year after their operation.
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Comparing single and multiple doses of tranexamic acid for spine surgery patients
This study is testing whether giving one or multiple doses of tranexamic acid can help reduce blood loss and the need for blood transfusions in patients having spine surgery.
NIH-funded research (newest 40 of 209)
Early-stage science funded by the US National Institutes of Health. Most of these projects don't enroll patients, but they show what is being worked on.
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Understanding Fragile X Syndrome: How it progresses and affects daily life
A long-term study using existing Fragile X data to map how the condition changes over time in children and young adults, including how autism, race, and location influence outcomes.
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Understanding how brain resilience and multiple brain pathologies influence aging and Alzheimer's disease
A long-term study follows older adults to learn how resilience to brain changes helps reduce dementia risk and what biological factors are linked to better cognitive aging.
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Mexican Teachers Cohort Study: Genetics and Cognitive Function
A large study using genetic data from Mexican teachers to discover genetic factors linked to memory and thinking in older adults.
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Genetics and Cognitive Function in Mexican Teachers Cohort for Alzheimer’s Dementia
This grant funds a large study to find genetic factors linked to memory and thinking in Mexican teachers, with the goal of improving understanding of Alzheimer’s-related dementia.
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Menstrual cups for economically vulnerable women to improve vaginal health and reduce sexually transmitted infections
A single-arm study will test whether using menstrual cups helps economically vulnerable women reduce bacterial vaginosis and sexually transmitted infections by promoting safer menstrual practices.
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Gut-Brain Axis in Parkinson’s Disease: biomarkers and procedures to track progression
A patient-focused program to study how gut health and the brain interact in Parkinson’s disease using biomarkers and clinical procedures.
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Rectal and urethral STI history in MSM to improve diagnostics and vaccines
A study in men who have sex with men (MSM) will look at their rectal and penile microbiomes and immune signals to help better diagnose and prevent sexually transmitted infections and HIV.
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Understanding rectal and urethral STIs in MSM to improve diagnosis and vaccines
This project studies the skin and gut bacteria and immune signals in men who have sex with men to help detect STIs sooner and guide vaccine development.
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Bone and fat cross-talk in ART-treated HIV patients
Researchers are studying how bone health and fat changes interact in people with HIV on antiretroviral therapy to improve osteoporosis screening and monitoring.
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Whole Genome Sequencing and Admixture Analyses of Neuropathologic Traits in Diverse Cohorts
A large genetics study will look for genes and proteins linked to Alzheimer's disease and related dementias in people of African ancestry using brain samples from the US and Brazil.
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CPIE-III: A hub to improve prevention and care in Chicago
A multi-site program at Rush University Medical Center aims to translate prevention and early intervention efforts into real-world care for patients and communities in Chicago.
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Role of innate immunity in HAND during the era of effective HIV therapy
This NIH grant explores why people with HIV on modern therapies still experience brain inflammation and cognitive changes, and whether innate immune signaling in brain cells drives these issues.
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Mapping brain tissue around blood vessels to understand aging and Alzheimer's disease
Scientists will closely study a thin brain layer around blood vessels to see how it changes with aging and Alzheimer’s, using donated brain tissue and advanced imaging.
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In-vivo MRI test to detect cerebral amyloid angiopathy in older adults
A new MRI-based method aims to identify cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) in community-dwelling older adults, helping clinicians understand risk and guide care.
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Rapid detection of infections on shoulder implants using a chemical fingerprint
Aiming to quickly detect infections on shoulder implants by reading the chemical signature of biofilms with a handheld Raman tool.
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Sodium-related edema in nephrotic syndrome and ANGPTL4
A physician-scientist group is studying how a protein called ANGPTL4 may drive skin edema in nephrotic syndrome, with experiments in rodents and tests on human ANGPTL4 fragments.
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Impact of maternal HIV medication on child fat and bone development
This project studies how a pregnancy exposure to a specific HIV medicine (InSTI-based ART) might affect a child’s fat tissue and bone growth.
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Skeletal health after preterm birth in adults
Researchers will study why people born prematurely have weaker bones and fractures, starting in infancy and following into adulthood.
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Understanding how rectal and urethral infections relate to gut bacteria to improve STI vaccines
This NIH grant studies how the microbiome and immune system in the penis and rectum relate to sexually transmitted infections in men who have sex with men, with goals to improve diagnosis and vaccines.
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Menstrual cups to help economically vulnerable women stay healthier
A single-arm study tests whether using menstrual cups can reduce vaginal infections and sexually transmitted infections among economically vulnerable women.
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Latino aging and brain health: a population study on Alzheimer's risk
A large study in older Latino adults will follow participants in Chicago to understand what affects the risk and progression of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias in this group.
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Whole genome sequencing to understand Alzheimer’s in people of African and Latin ancestry
This NIH grant aims to find genes and proteins that drive Alzheimer’s-related brain changes in people with African, Brazilian, and mixed ancestries, using large genetic and brain pathology data.
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Gut bacteria, HIV, and alcohol: how microbes affect gut health in people with HIV
This NIH grant studies how alcohol use and HIV together affect the gut’s bacteria and barrier, exploring a possible way to reduce gut inflammation in people living with HIV.
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Preschool outcomes after an economic program to boost mother’s milk in very preterm infants
This project tests whether giving mothers of very preterm babies financial support and services to feed breast milk in the NICU improves children’s development, health, and costs as they reach preschool age.
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Preventing fretting-corrosion in hip and knee joint implants
Aims to develop better preclinical tests to predict and prevent fretting-corrosion and related tissue reactions in modular joint implants.
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Understanding how HIV-specific IgA sugar tags affect its movement and action
A study to see how sugar decorations on HIV-targeting IgA antibodies influence where they travel in the body and how well they work against HIV.
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Genetics and Cognitive Function in Mexican Teachers Cohort
A large study will add genetic and brain-health data from Mexican teachers to enhance understanding of how genes influence memory and thinking as people age.
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Daily experiences and cognitive drivers of weight loss success in adults with obesity
This study looks at why some adults with obesity have better weight loss results than others when following a standard weight loss program.
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Genetic mapping of Alzheimer’s brain changes in diverse US and Brazilian groups
This project uses whole genome sequencing of autopsied brains—especially from people of African ancestry and mixed-ancestry Brazilians—to find genetic changes linked to Alzheimer’s and related brain damage.
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A detailed 3-D map of knee nerves
Creating 3-D maps of nerve cells in healthy, injured, and arthritic knees to help people with knee pain.
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Alzheimer’s risk in older Latino adults
This project will learn what raises the risk of Alzheimer’s and mild cognitive problems in older Latino adults by building a local cohort, collecting clinical and genetic information, and looking at heart health and inflammation factors.
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Center exploring circadian rhythms and alcohol-related organ damage
A funding opportunity to study how disrupting the body’s clock may make alcohol-related organ damage more likely, with resources to support researchers and training.
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PERSEVERE: Peer mentor support and caregiver education for Lewy body dementia
A caregiver-focused program using peer mentors and education to help families caring for Lewy body dementia and reduce caregiver strain.
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Digital mobility markers to predict Alzheimer's dementia
A study using wearable sensors to track movement and cognitive-mobility data aims to better predict who will develop Alzheimer's dementia.
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APOE genetic risk and brain border immunity in aging and Alzheimer's disease
A patient-facing look at how APOE gene variants may affect immune cells at the brain’s borders in aging and Alzheimer’s, using human-derived organoid and single-cell data.
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Fostering Short-Term Smoking Cessation to Help Quit for Good
A program tests a new way to help people who smoke try abstaining for a few hours or days, with the goal of making quitting more likely over time.
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cART, neuroHIV, cocaine use, and brain neuron-astrocyte dysfunction
Aiming to understand how HIV meds, HIV itself, and cocaine use together affect brain cells in people with HIV.
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Molecular Pathways of Innate Immunity and Substance Abuse in NeuroHIV
A new project will explore how HIV and methamphetamine together cause brain inflammation, with the goal of understanding why some people living with HIV experience neurocognitive problems.
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Mexican Teachers Cohort — genes and memory in older adults
This project uses DNA and thinking-test information from mostly older Mexican women to find genes linked to memory and dementia.
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Genetics and memory in Mexican teachers
This project looks at how genes relate to memory and thinking in older Mexican teachers by adding their genetic data to a large Alzheimer's research effort.
Quick answers
How many clinical trials run by Rush University Medical Center are recruiting right now?
47, as of November 12, 2026. We update this list each time we refresh our data from ClinicalTrials.gov.
Where are these trials running?
In 2 countries. The most sites are in United States (47 trials), Mexico (1 trial). Each study page lists its sites and which ones are recruiting.
What phases are they in?
Phase 4: 6, Phase 1/2: 3, Phase 2: 3, Early Phase 1: 2. Trials with no phase listed are usually device, behavioural or observational studies.
How do I join one?
Open a study, check the "Is this trial a fit for you?" section, then contact the study team listed on the page. They will ask a few screening questions. Asking is free and does not commit you to anything. Talk it over with your doctor first.
Find the studies that fit you
A list is a starting point. Tell us your situation in your own words and we'll rank the studies that match and explain why. It's free and needs no account.