North Brunswick Township

This research aims to understand how patients undergoing in vitro fertilization IVF perceive and are motivated to receive additional genetic information about their embryos, specifically concerning risks for polygenic disorders. It focuses on patients who are already having their embryos tested for chromosomal abnormalities aneuploidies and explores their interest in learning about other inherited disease risks through genetic counseling. The study involves patients planning IVF with preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidies PGT-A and evaluates their choices and responses to receiving polygenic risk information PGT-P. Patients who meet the criteria will be offered participation by their IVF doctor before starting ovarian stimulation. After consenting and genetic counseling, they can choose to receive PGT-A results first and then decide about PGT-P results, or get a combined comprehensive report covering both. The PGT-P report may include risk predictions for diseases such as Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes, heart conditions, several cancers, and other hereditary diseases. Each patient will also provide saliva samples for genetic ancestry testing to better understand the accuracy and applicability of polygenic risk predictions based on ethnic background. Participants will be followed for up to two years, during which their interest in polygenic testing will be measured. Genetic counseling will address the benefits and limits of each test, and the study will gather data on patient choices and motivations. Information from embryo biopsies and saliva samples will be collected and analyzed. The study is observational and does not affect the standard IVF treatment. Overall, the study seeks to inform future use of genetic testing in embryo selection and patient decision-making.

Researchers are conducting a long-term study to understand the clinical outcomes and personal experiences of patients who have used preimplantation genetic testing PGT, a tool often used alongside in vitro fertilization IVF. This study aims to gather valuable insights that may help improve medical care and support for individuals undergoing PGT. The study involves patients who agree to participate in research when consenting to PGT. Participants will be identified through their consent forms and invited to take part in recorded interviews conducted by a licensed genetic counselor. The study plans to recruit up to 10,000 patients willing to share their experiences. Alongside interviews, patient records and data such as family history and ethnicity may be analyzed, with results shared in scientific publications while protecting patient privacy. During the study, participants will engage in a recorded interview with a genetic counselor to discuss their perspectives on PGT. Researchers will review medical records and analyze collected data over time, focusing on patient views two years after PGT. The study follows all privacy guidelines and aims to contribute knowledge to the medical community. Participation involves ongoing follow-up but does not include treatments or interventions beyond the interview and data collection.

Researchers are comparing the rates of surgical and minimally invasive interventions, as well as any harms, in Medicare beneficiaries treated with the MILD procedure versus those treated with interspinous process decompression IPD for lumbar spinal stenosis with neurogenic claudication. This observational study uses Medicare claims data to follow patients for 24 months after their initial procedure starting from January 1, 2017. The purpose is to evaluate outcomes between these two types of procedures without requiring prior patient enrollment or consent. The study includes two groups patients who received MILD, which is a percutaneous image-guided lumbar decompression performed under fluoroscopic guidance through a dorsal approach to the spine, and patients who received IPD, a different device-based decompression procedure. Data on reoperations and complications will be collected for both groups over a 24-month follow-up period using Medicare claims. Enrollment continues until the sponsor decides to stop. Participants involvement is passive as the study uses existing Medicare claims data. Researchers will monitor rates of harms related to the initial procedure and subsequent surgical or minimally invasive interventions over two years. No direct patient visits or interventions are conducted, and the study is exempt from institutional review board oversight. The total study duration extends to December 2026, covering cases treated since early 2017.