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Bethesda, Maryland

The Mark O. Hatfield Clinical Research Center. Aerial photography by Duane Lempke, Sisson Studios, Inc.

The Environmental Autoimmunity Group supports studies at the NIH Clinical Center to understand the mechanisms for the development of autoimmune diseases so that group members can extend healthy life and reduce the burdens of illness and disability.

The physicians, nurses, scientists and staff of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences at the National Institutes of Health welcome you to our patient recruitment and information website. We conduct research studies with patients who have autoimmune diseases. Our studies are performed at the NIH Clinical Center, a hospital dedicated to the highest quality research, in Bethesda, Maryland. In some cases, subjects may be enrolled by their local health care providers.

The Clinical Center Is Currently Recruiting Subjects for the Following Studies

  • Environmental Risk Factors for the Anti-Synthetase Syndrome - The MYORISK Study

    This study will investigate the genetic and environmental risk factors involved in the development of myositis, an autoimmune muscle disease that causes chronic muscle weakness.

    Who we're looking for: Adults and children diagnosed with myositis within the last two years and healthy volunteers.

    For more information: Contact

    Principal Investigator 

Adam I. Schiffenbauer, M.D.
Deputy Head and Associate Research Physician
Tel 301-451-6270
[email protected]
  • Lead Investigator 
Lisa Rider, M.D.
Head and Senior Clinician
Tel 301-451-6272
[email protected]
Lisa Rider, M.D.
Head and Senior Clinician
Tel 301-451-6272
[email protected]
  • Lead Investigator 
Adam I. Schiffenbauer, M.D.
Deputy Head and Associate Research Physician
Tel 301-451-6270
[email protected]

Studies Closed for Recruitment

  • Environmental Risk Factors for the Development of Myositis in Military Personnel

    Researchers are comparing military personnel with and without myositis to look for common factors that may have led to the disease.

    The Sudy included military personnel and military contractors diagnosed with myositis while active duty and healthy military volunteers.

    For more information: Contact

    Principal Investigator 

Adam I. Schiffenbauer, M.D.
Deputy Head and Associate Research Physician
Tel 301-451-6270
[email protected]
  • Lead Investigator 
Lisa Rider, M.D.
Head and Senior Clinician
Tel 301-451-6272
[email protected]

  • Pathogenic Studies in Families with Twins or Siblings Discordant for Systemic Rheumatic Disorders

    The research team is studying the genetic and environmental risk factors in the development of systemic autoimmune diseases in twins and same-sex siblings, in which one has the disease and the other does not.

    The study included adults and children diagnosed in the past five years with myositis, lupus, scleroderma, or rheumatoid arthritis, and a twin or non-twin same-sex sibling within 5 years of age without any disease above, and healthy volunteers.

    For more information: Contact

    Principal Investigator 

Lisa Rider, M.D.
Head and Senior Clinician
Tel 301-451-6272
[email protected]
  • Lead Investigator 
Adam I. Schiffenbauer, M.D.
Deputy Head and Associate Research Physician
Tel 301-451-6270
[email protected]

  • Calcinosis Study

    This study is aiming to find out more about calcinosis, the development of calcium deposits in various parts of the body, in people with dermatomyositis (DM) and juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM). Calcinosis can be painful and cause disabilities and other problems, so scientists want to find treatments for it. This study is examining the safety and efficacy of a medication to treat calcinosis, called sodium thiosulfate.

    For more information: Contact

    Principal Investigator 

Adam I. Schiffenbauer, M.D.
Deputy Head and Associate Research Physician
Tel 301-451-6270
[email protected]
  • Lead Investigator 
Lisa Rider, M.D.
Head and Senior Clinician
Tel 301-451-6272
[email protected]