biostudies-literatureTasneem AFDA HHSe33677https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC3306288biostudies-literatureUnknown7(3)<h4>Background</h4>The ClinicalTrials.gov registry provides information regarding characteristics of past, current, and planned clinical studies to patients, clinicians, and researchers; in addition, registry data are available for bulk download. However, issues related to data structure, nomenclature, and changes in data collection over time present challenges to the aggregate analysis and interpretation of these data in general and to the analysis of trials according to clinical specialty in particular. Improving usability of these data could enhance the utility of ClinicalTrials.gov as a research resource.<h4>Methods/principal results</h4>The purpose of our project was twofold. First, we sought to extend the usability of ClinicalTrials.gov for research purposes by developing a database PloS oneThe database for aggregate analysis of ClinicalTrials.gov (AACT) and subsequent regrouping by clinical specialty.PMC3306288U19 FD003800Tasneem AMcCourt BJAberle LAnanth HPietrobon RChiswell KChakraborty SfalseThe database for aggregate analysis of ClinicalTrials.gov (AACT) and subsequent regrouping by clinical specialty.<h4>Background</h4>The ClinicalTrials.gov registry provides information regarding characteristics of past, current, and planned clinical studies to patients, clinicians, and researchers; in addition, registry data are available for bulk download. However, issues related to data structure, nomenclature, and changes in data collection over time present challenges to the aggregate analysis and interpretation of these data in general and to the analysis of trials according to clinical specialty in particular. Improving usability of these data could enhance the utility of ClinicalTrials.gov as a research resource.<h4>Methods/principal results</h4>The purpose of our project was twofold. First, we sought to extend the usability of ClinicalTrials.gov for research purposes by developing a database 2012-01-01T00:00:00Z20122025-06-27T03:05:46.219Z2025-06-27T03:05:46.219ZS-EPMC33062882243898210.1371/journal.pone.0033677