Below is a listing of current studies recruiting for MRI, TMS, and EEG/ERP studies taking place at the UConn Brain Imaging Research Center. Faculty and Researchers: If you would like your study to be featured on this page, please email birc.uconn.edu.
This study is currently recruiting people between the ages of 12 and 40, with or without a history of autism, to participate in a study about autism and language development. The study is currently occurring online!
This study is recruiting families with children between the ages of 5 and 12. Both parents must participate in the study and all participants must be native English speakers with no neurological and/or neurodevelopmental diagnosis. This study is being conducted to understand what components influence a child’s learning growth. Participants will be financially compensated ($100/parent, $50/child). A family brain portrait will also be provided!
Volunteers are needed to participate in a research study investigating how the brain processes speech sounds.
Preparing to Participate in a Research Study
Are you participating in a study at BIRC and have questions about how to prepare? We have created this page for you! Please note: This page gives information general to all studies; if you have a question about your particular study, please contact the investigator directly.
IRB Consent/Assent Form
Prior to participating in the study, you should complete the IRB Consent/Assent Form with the study Principal Investigator (PI) or a member of the research team (RA). This form will explain what is expected of people participating in the exam including the necessary time commitment. You will also be provided with contact information for the PI and/or RA. Please make sure you know how to contact someone in case you cannot make a scheduled appointment due to emergency or illness.
Screening for Eligibility
The PI/RA will make sure you are eligible to participate in the study, and will also do some preliminary screening for the MRI. You may be asked to complete a metal screening form to make sure you have no contraindications for the MRI.
MRI Preparation Video
If you would like to see what will happen during your study, BIRC has created a video that goes through the whole process of having a study at our facility. This video is particularly helpful for children as they can watch Ella participate in experiment.
Prepare for Your Study
Location
Make sure you know where BIRC is located and please arrive on time! Your experiment has been scheduled for a specific time. If you are unable to make your scheduled arrival time, please contact your PI/RA directly.
Jewelry
All body piercings need to be removed. Plastic piercing "holders" may be used and are available. Please note that BIRC does not have special equipment to remove piercings.
How To Dress
All MRI participants must change into BIRC scrubs. A locker will be provided for your personal belongings.
Special Information for Eye Tracking Studies
If you are participating in a study that uses eye tracking, please do not wear any eye makeup. We do have eye makeup remover pads. Also, you will not be able to wear your regular glasses during the study. We can provide lenses to correct your vision, but we strongly recommend you wear contacts, if available.
When You Arrive
Please confirm where you will be meeting the PI/RA and what time you should arrive. If you are told to come directly to BIRC, please make sure you know where we are located.
When you arrive, please take a seat in our waiting area. A member of the experiment team will come out to greet you. If you have not already done so, you will need to fill out a metal screening form. You will be provided with a locker to secure your valuables. Once you enter the MRI area, the MRI technologist will review your screening form, bring you into the scanner room, and prepare you for the study. Also, the investigator will review what is going to happen during the experiment.
Checklist
Here is a Participant Preparation Checklist to help you prepare for your study. Feel free to print or download prior to your study. Remember to contact the PI/RA with any questions, and we look forward to meeting you!
Printable directions to BIRC