Scientists at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation are seeking healthy men and women to participate in a research study. Participants will serve as controls in the study to help researchers better understand the role of inflammation in chronic arthritis.
The project, which is being funded by the National Institutes of Health, is examining whether certain markers, or indicators, of inflammation can lead to the development of arthritis. The presence of high levels of various inflammatory markers has been associated with age-related macular degeneration, heart disease and depression, as well as rheumatoid arthritis.
Participants in the study will be asked for a one-time donation of a blood sample. Individuals wishing to participate should be at least 30 years of age, have no history of arthritis or cancer and have no cold symptoms prior to the blood draw. Volunteers will receive $20 as reimbursement for their time and effort.
“By studying healthy subjects, it helps us make important comparisons to the condition of individuals suffering from arthritis,” said Michael Centola, Ph.D., the OMRF scientist leading the study. “So healthy volunteers will play a crucial role in the outcome of our study.”
OMRF (omrf.org) is an independent, nonprofit biomedical research institute dedicated to understanding and developing more effective treatments for human disease. Its scientists focus on such critical research areas as Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, lupus and cardiovascular disease.
For more information or to participate in this research study, please call (405) 271-7747.
