MISSION
BARI is an independent clinical research center.  We conduct clinical trials to evaluate the effects of new and investigational medications.

WHY CONDUCT CLINICAL TRIALS?
Clinical trials are required by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) prior to approval of new medications. Trials are also required to evaluate new uses for drugs already on the market.

OVERSIGHT OF CLINICAL TRIALS
As an independent research center, our clinical trials are monitored by Institutional Review Boards (IRBs). IRBs visit our site, approve the research protocols and our staff credentials, and assure that we conduct each study in accordance with the highest ethical and clinical standards required by the FDA.

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
Our principal investigator, Kathleen Toups, M.D., has been conducting clinical trials since 1993. She has experience prior to this, with both academic and clinical research, from her tenure as a Psychiatry Professor at U.C. Davis and during her residency and geriatric training at U.C. San Diego.

Dr. Toups is Board-Certified in Psychiatry and Neurology, and is also certified as a Geriatric Psychiatrist. In addition, she has worked as a Primary Care and Urgent Care physician. Because Dr. Toups is engaged in clinical research on a full-time basis, she does not have any conflict of interest with a private practice. This enables her to devote her complete attention to patients participating in BARI’s research studies.

STAFF
BARI staff is comprised of clinical research coordinators, research assistants, and medical assistants. They have backgrounds in nursing, psychology, counseling, and medical technology.

We also work with several physicians who serve as sub-investigators and medical consultants. These physicians are Board-Certified in Internal Medicine, Family Practice, and Pediatrics.

RESEARCH FOCUS
BARI concentrates primarily on clinical trials in Psychiatry and Dementia. Trials in the past have focused on Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity, Disorder Depression, Bipolar Disorder, Anxiety, Insomnia, Schizophrenia, Mild Cognitive Impairment, and Dementia. As Dr. Toups also has a background in Primary Care, we have conducted trials in other areas of medicine as well.

WHY PARTICIPATE IN A CLINICAL TRIAL?
Participation in a clinical trial does not guarantee that your condition will improve. However, participants are afforded detailed diagnostic assessments for the medical or psychiatric condition under investigation. These evaluations usually include physical exams, blood testing for laboratory abnormalities, and EKGs to assess cardiac function. All study-related procedures are done at no cost to the participant.