Participation in a Research Study:
We are currently conducting many research studies
to further our understanding of normal brain development and the neural basis of
basic psychiatric disorders that arise during childhood. These disorders include
Tourette Syndrome, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Attention-Deficit
Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Autism, Major Depression, and Bulimia Nervosa (in
collaboration with the Eating Disorders Research Unit at Columbia University).
We also study the effects of prenatal drug exposure on brain and cognitive
development (BABIES study).
Before participating in a research study, individuals must undergo a screening process that takes place over the phone. Every potential participant in a research study must meet certain criteria before they can be scanned:
Participants should have no history of seizures/epileptic attacks and no prior history of a loss of consciousness.
They must not have been a premature baby (earlier than 3 weeks from normal gestational term)
They must have no old tattoos with blue ink, and no form of metal in the body, including braces, a pacemaker or any surgical items.
Female subjects cannot be pregnant
In addition, all participants (children and adults) must meet criteria for one of the disorders that we study, or they must have no history of any psychiatric disorders at all.
After the screening process is complete, all participants come to the Brain Imaging Laboratory for a day or a half-day to participate in a specific study. Studies are divided into three separate sections. The first section involves clinical interviews, including questions about family, education, and medical history. These questions take about two hours. Some are asked directly to the subject and some, in the case of a child, are asked to parents.
Second, a psychologist will administer neuropsychological tests, including memory and learning games, that require paper and pen or simple computer functions. These puzzles help us learn about how a subject is able to think, concentrate, and remember things, as well as what child subjects like to do when they play.
Finally — most important to our study — we do an MRI scan. The scan takes about 1.5 hours in total and involves remaining still for a period of time and then performing simple tasks while lying in the MRI machine. MRI scanners use magnetic waves and radio waves to take the pictures of the human brain. Sometimes these pictures can show what parts of the brain are working when the participant is performing certain tasks. The tasks can include pushing a button, saying some words, squeezing a handle, or playing a video game. We hope that the results provided by the scanner will show a connection between activity in certain areas of the brain with the performance of specific behavioral activities.
Participants don't pay for any of these tests performed as part of a study. In fact, when you have finished, you will be given compensation for your participation. All records from this study and the names of subjects and parents are kept confidential and are available only to the team of researchers who are working on this study.
If you are interested in hearing more about our project or if you feel you meet the criteria and would like to participate in a study, please contact us.