Charak Clinical Research Center
Quest for Cures
Call Today at 877.463.9633
Our Mission
To increase our knowledge of the latest available treatments in behavioral health care, and to achieve the fullest understanding of our patients. This two-fold approach assures our patients of the best possible care.
Quest for Cures
Charak Clinical Research Center takes its name from the noted Indian physician from the 1st century, Charak, the author of one of the oldest books on medicine, The Charak Samhita. Charak was one of the first medical practitioners to champion the principles that knowledge of all available remedies, and a thorough understanding of the patient, are the critical elements to providing the most appropriate care for each unique individual.
Why You Should Take Part
You can be on the forefront of innovation in the mental health space. Medications and treatments that were not previously available to you can be used to help you when you need it most.
Behavioral Health Clinical Trials
Although remarkable progress has been made over the past 20 years in defining and treating the various forms of mental illness, most treatments are either not effective for everyone or may produce significant side-effects in some individuals. As a result, there is an ongoing need for the development of new medications within the mental health field.
Current Trials
The development of new medications plays a central role in the advancement of medical treatments and the improvement of patient quality of life. All new medications go through several stages or phases of testing to demonstrate their safety and effectiveness before physicians can prescribe them to their patients. At the heart of this process are research studies called clinical trials. In a clinical trial, the new medication is typically compared to either a currently approved medication and/or a placebo (a pill that looks like the new medication but contains no active ingredients).
Participating In A Clinical Trial
There is no single reason that individuals choose to participate in clinical trials but many do so in the hope that the new medication will provide them with relief from their symptoms, and produce few and/or mild side effects. Some choose to participate because they recognize that even if they do not experience a direct personal benefit from participating in the trial, the research study results will potentially increase the level of understanding of the disorder, and contribute to the development of more effective forms of treatment.
Your Informed Consent
Participation in a clinical trial is completely voluntary. The decision to participate should only be made after thorough consideration of all available information. Before you enter a clinical trial, the study doctor and study staff will fully describe the purpose of the study, what is expected of each participant, and the potential risks and benefits that you may experience.
All potential participants are presented with a document that contains this information as well as a complete description of each element of the trial. You must read, discuss and finally sign this document, called the “Consent Form,” before any study related procedures can be performed.
Throughout the course of the trial, any new information that becomes available regarding trial procedures or medication will be provided to you in a timely manner. You can choose to end your involvement in a clinical trial at any time and for any reason.
Safety and Well-being
The safety and well-being of a participant in a clinical trial are the primary concerns of the clinical trial staff. In order to insure these concerns are addressed, your participation in the clinical trial includes meeting with the trial doctor and staff on a frequent basis to monitor progress. It is very important that you attend all visits, honestly answer all questions regarding the trial medication and your health, and follow the instructions of the clinical trial staff.
Benefits to Clinical Trial Participation
Some of the benefits of participating in a clinical trial include:
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Taking an active role in your own treatment.
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The opportunity to receive treatments not otherwise available.
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Receiving skilled medical care at no financial cost.
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The opportunity to contribute to the current state of medical knowledge.
Otsuka Pharmaceuticals Adolescent Schizophrenia Study
Diagnosis: Schizophrenia
Purpose: A six week study of the safety and efficacy of brexpiprazole (Rexulti) compared to aripiprazole (Abilify) and placebo with adolescent patients diagnosed with schizophrenia
General Inclusion Criteria:
Male or female 13 to 17 years of age with a current primary diagnosis of schizophrenia and a history of the illness (diagnosis or symptoms) for at least six months prior to the Screen Visit
Generally in good physical health
No current substance abuse or dependence
Additional Information:
Subjects who complete this study may be eligible to participate in a long-term, open-label, follow-up study of brexpiprazole without comparators (all participants will receive brexpiprazole) for up to 24 months
Call us at 877.463.9633 if you wish to take part
Livanova Treatment Resistant Major Depressive Disorder Study
Diagnosis: Treatment Resistant Major Depressive Disorder
Purpose: A long term study of the safety & efficacy of VNS (Vagus Nerve Stimulation) as adjunctive therapy for individuals diagnosed with Treatment Resistant Major Depressive Disorder compared to a no-stimulation control group
General Inclusion Criteria:
Male or female 18 years of age or older
Primary diagnosis of Treatment-resistant Major Depressive Disorder
During their current major depressive episode they have had an inadequate benefit from at least four antidepressant treatments including medications, psychotherapy, ECT, rTMS or pharmacological interventions
In generally good physical health
No substance abuse or dependence during the 12 months prior to screening
Additional Information:
Subjects who complete this study may be eligible to participate in a long term open-label follow-up study of VNS without comparators, i.e. all participants will receive VNS, for up to 48 months
Indivior Opioid Use Disorder Study
Diagnosis: Moderate to Severe Opioid Use Disorder
Purpose: A study comparing the efficacy of 100-mg and 300-mg maintenance doses of Buprenorphine extended-release subcutaneous injection (SUBLOCADE) in treatment-seeking adults with Opioid Use Disorder and high-risk opioid use
General Inclusion Criteria:
Male or female 18 years of age and older
Primary diagnosis of Opioid Use Disorder and:
Using opioids via injection for an average of 5 or more days per week for at least 4 weeks prior to the Screen Visit
or
Using at least 500mg intravenous heroin equivalent or highly potent synthetic opioids for 5 or more days per week for at least 4 weeks prior to the Screen Visit
Additional Information:
All eligible study participants who choose to enter the study will initially receive two 300mg doses of SUBLOCADE via subcutaneous injection one week apart.
These will then be followed by up to 8 additional subcutaneous injections of either 100mg or 300mg doses of SUBLOCADE given once every 4 weeks.
Study participants will be required to attend weekly visits to the research site for the first ten weeks of participation in the study. These visits are designed to allow for the monitoring of participants’ health and wellbeing.
The frequency of the site visits changes to every two weeks from week 10 through the end of study participation.
Resources
The following links to online resources may be helpful to you in gathering information about mental illnesses and alcohol or drug dependency. Charak Clinical Research Center is not affiliated with any of these organizations and is not responsible for the information and content found on the web sites included here.
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) describes itself as “the largest scientific organization in the world dedicated to research focused on the understanding, treatment and prevention of mental disorders and the promotion of mental health.” The NIMH web site includes significant information about many behavioral health topics.
The National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI) has several chapters in Ohio and its web site includes local chapter information and programs as well as publications that may be downloaded at no cost. NAMI’s mission is “to improve the quality of life, ensure dignity and respect for persons with serous mental illness, and to support their families.”
Ohio NAMI: www.namiohio.org
National NAMI: www.nami.org
The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) is a national patient-directed organization focusing on the most prevalent mental illnesses, according to its web site. The web site includes information regarding signs and symptoms, recovery, and information to assist families and friends of individuals affected by illnesses, particularly major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse’s (NIDA) mission is “to lead the Nation in bringing the power of science to bear on drug abuse and addiction.” Two sections of the NIDA web site, “Parents & Teachers,” and “Students & Young Adults,” accessed through the top menu include topics that are particularly helpful to the general public.
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) provides leadership in the national effort to reduce alcohol-related problems by conducting and supporting research of its own and other research institutes and government agencies; supporting the programs and work of agencies and organizations engaged in alcohol-related work; and translating and communicating research results to the public, health care professionals and policy makers. The Publications section of the web site includes information that is helpful to the general public.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services also sponsors the SAMHSA's National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information (NCADI), a web site described as “the Nation's one-stop resource for information about substance abuse prevention and addiction treatment.”
Addiction Center was founded by recovering addicts and health information writers. Their goal is to provide the most up-to-date information on addiction. Addiction Center is owned and funded by Recovery Worldwide LLC, an organization that creates informational web properties on health and mental health-related topics.
Contact & Location
Charak Clinical Research Center
12395 McCracken Rd. Suite E
Garfield Heights, OH 44125
Phone - 877.4NEWMED
877.463.9633
Fax - 216.662.0469