Highlights

Image of a patient receiving a vaccine injection.

NIH begins study of vaccine to protect against mosquito-borne diseases

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health, has launched a Phase 1 clinical trial to test an investigational vaccine intended to provide broad protection against a range of mosquito-transmitted diseases, such as Zika, malaria, West Nile fever and dengue fever, and to hinder the ability of mosquitoes to transmit such infections.

Rare Disease Day

Rare Disease Day at NIH — Feb. 27, 2017

More than 6,500 rare diseases affect humans, of which only a few hundred have any treatment. In total these illnesses affect an estimated 25 million people in the United States.

Why do researchers do different kinds of clinical studies?

Infographic: Why do researchers do different kinds of clinical studies?

This one-page guide describes different kinds of clinical studies. It explains why researchers might use them and highlights each type’s strengths and weaknesses.

What is Clinical Research?

What is Clinical Research?

Clinical research occurs in many formats and can involve anyone. Learn how you can participate and contribute to medical advances.​

John and ALS: Participating in an NIH Clinical Study with Dr. Nath

John’s Story: amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)

Ever since being diagnosed in January of ’14, I kind of made it a mission of mine to find out as much as I can, what’s available out there as treatments, trials, and just my way of giving back, whether it helps me directly or somebody who comes after me.

A happy Asian boy.

Searching for Clues to Autism

NIH clinical research looks for links between conditions during pregnancy and risk of autism.

Study Partners in Alzheimer's Disease Clinical Trials

How Study Partners are Vital to Alzheimer’s Research

Dr. Madhav Thambisetty of the National Institute on Aging at NIH discusses the role of study partners in Alzheimer's disease clinical trials. A study partner relates her experience in an Alzheimer's trial.

Susan Lee and her daughter, Alyssa.

How a Mom, a Scientist, and NICHD Joined to Fight a Rare Disease

Read how one mother's struggle to get help for her daughter led her to a community of rare disease researchers.

Ollie Doolittle

Taking a swing at Alzheimer’s disease

Ollie Doolittle helps researchers learn more about the aging brain.

Kayla's Story: A Bright Future Through NIH Research (Spanish captions available)

Kayla’s Story: A Bright Future Through NIH Research

NOMID, or neonatal-onset multisystem inflammatory disease, is a rare disease that is often fatal.

Woman receiving a mammography.

Working to Prevent Breast Cancer

Breast cancer takes a tremendous toll on women and men, as well as their families and communities.

3-D structure of hepatitis C virus.

Reducing the Burden of Hepatitis

An estimated 4.4 million Americans are living with chronic hepatitis; most do not know they are infected.

Scanning electron micrograph of an HIV-infected H9 T cell.

National HIV Testing Day

Although progress has been made in the fight against HIV/AIDS, the epidemic continues to wreak havoc.

Woman using an inhaler.

Helping People Breathe Easier

Researchers are making progress in increasing our understanding of asthma through clinical research.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

You Can Help Stop TB

TB remains one of the deadliest infections in the world, particularly in regions with a large presence of HIV.

HIV Vaccine Trials Network logo.

Volunteer to Help End HIV/AIDS

Getting to zero: zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination, zero AIDS-related deaths.

A doctor with a pleasant smile looks at the reading on a thermometer. Her hand is on the patient's shoulder.

Seeking Volunteers for this Flu Season

Help researchers find new ways to prevent, diagnose, and treat influenza.

Helping Kids with Severe Eczema

Helping Kids with Severe Eczema

NIH researchers combine wet wraps and education to treat this chronic skin disorder.

Female doctor talking to a senior woman.

Guiding Principles for Ethical Research

Researchers can take precautions to protect participants in research studies.

Pile of peanuts.

Taking the Bite Out of Food Allergy

Volunteers can help NIH researchers understand how the immune system contributes to food allergy.

Thought control of robotic arms using the BrainGate system

Research in Action

Paralyzed by stroke, patient advances science by using brain power and computers to control movement.

National Database for Autism Research

National Database for Autism Research

Learn from parents how clinical research is improving treatments.

Screenshot of HBO's "The Weight of the Nation" website.

HBO Series Spotlights Obesity Research

Meet volunteers in several research studies in this provocative four-part series on obesity.

A scene as it might be viewed by a person with age-related macular degeneration.

Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD)

Study shows lasting improvement in vision with long-term use of Avastin and Lucentis.

Close-up of an African boy looking at the camera.

Thinking Globally, Acting Locally Against Malaria

Healthy volunteers help NIH researchers pursue an effective malaria vaccine.

NIH RAMPART study

NIH RAMPART Study

Patient volunteers play an essential role in improving the way paramedics treat life-threatening seizures.

Worker cleaning up oil spill.

GuLF Study

Gulf cleanup workers help NIH examine potential health effects of oil spill.

King George VI giving a public speech

Stuttering

Learn how the King's (George VI) speech begins a story about current research and discovery about stuttering.

This page last reviewed on March 1, 2017