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1. What is the NTRTC?


NTRTC is the acronym for our research office. The expanded version is:
Neuropsychopharmacology Treatment, Research and Training Center, which means that we conduct clinical trials on medications that affect your brain neurologically and/or psychologically. We are located at the UConn Health Center Department of Psychiatry Outpatient Clinic, which is a satellite office just down the street from UConn Health Center main campus in Farmington, CT.

2. What is a Clinical Trial?


"Clinical trial" is the scientific term for a test or study of a drug or medical device in people. These tests are done to assess whether the product is safe and effective for people to use. Doctors, nurses, therapists, and research staff run the tests according to strict rules set by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These rules are set to make sure that people who agree to be in the studies are treated as safely as possible.

3. Why volunteer?


By taking part in a clinical trial, you can try a new treatment that may or may not be better than those that already exist. You can also help others better understand how the treatment works in people of different races and genders.

4. What are the risks?


Some treatments that are being tested have side effects that can be unpleasant, serious or even life threatening. Because the treatments being studied are new, doctors don't always know what the side effects will be. Many side effects are temporary and go away when the treatment is stopped. But others can be permanent. Some side effects appear during treatment, while others may not show up until after the treatment is over. The risks depend on the treatment being studied and all known risks will be fully explained to you by the research team. The team will have safety measures set up in cases of such events and will have a set protocol in place for you to withdraw from the study at any time if any uncomfortable side effects should occur.

5. How am I protected?


To help you decide whether you want to participate in a study, FDA requires that you be given complete information about the study before you agree to take part. This is known as informed consent. FDA requires that people be told:
  • Whether or not the study involves research of an unproven drug or device
  • The purpose of the research
  • How long the study will take
  • What will happen during the study and which parts of the study are experimental
  • Possible risks or discomforts
  • Possible benefits
  • Other procedures or treatments that you might want to consider instead of the treatment being studied
  • That FDA may look at study records, but the records will be kept secret
  • What medical treatments and compensation are available if you are hurt because of something related to the study, and where to find help
  • The person to contact with questions about the study, your rights, or if you get hurt
  • You can quit at any time.
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