Volunteer in a Research Study

What is a research study? A research study is an organized way of learning more about a problem or answering a question. Our research studies use interviews, computer tasks, and functional MRI to understand how the brain makes decisions. Getting an MRI is standard, completely non-invasive, and not painful.

Are there benefits to participating in research? There may or may not be a direct benefit to you if you take part in our studies. The study may not help you personally, but your participation will provide information that is expected to improve the lives of others in the future and further our understanding of how the brain works. Research volunteers often tell us that they learn a lot about themselves and the research process by participating in our studies.

What does participation involve? In our studies, we will first ask you some questions to determine whether you are appropriate for each part of the study. If you are eligible, you will complete a series of questionnaires and interviews about your current and past mental and physical health. During the fMRI visit, you will play simple computer games as your brain activity is recorded. Depending on the specific study, your participation may take one or more visits to the lab. Before you enroll, the study coordinator will let you know how long your participation is expected to last.

Why do people choose to participate? People choose to participate for many reasons. For example, some hope to learn about the research process, some want to help researchers understand how the brain functions, and some want to be part of advancing knowledge and treatments of conditions that have affected themselves or their loved ones. Thanks to help from volunteers, we are able to achieve these goals.

What is informed consent? Informed consent is the process of learning the key facts about a research study before you choose whether or not to volunteer. During the consent process, our staff will explain the procedures of the study, how participation might affect you, and your rights as a research volunteer. Our research staff will answer any questions you may have and also ask you to read an "informed consent form" that goes over these details. If you choose to participate, we will ask you to sign the informed consent form.

Will I be compensated? Participants are always compensated for their time in our studies, and the rates vary depending on the study. Also, you will receive a copy of your brain on CD the first time you come in for a scan.

Who can participate? Most of our studies have requirements that must be met in order for you to participate. These requirements are designed to keep you safe and ensure that we can use the data. Some studies have broad requirements such as being over a specific age. Other studies have a more focused requirement, such as having certain life experiences. In general, to participate in fMRI studies, you must NOT have any metal implants (e.g., pacemakers, surgical clips), be claustrophobic, or have a serious medical condition (e.g., cancer, seizure disorder).

Who will see the results of the study? We take your privacy very seriously, and we will never identify you individually in discussing the results from the study. Any results that are presented to the community will be completely de-identified and are usually presented as group averages. We are happy to share these results with you. Only if you give us permission, examples from your experiences may be used to teach future clinicians and researchers.

What if I do not want to participate? Participation is always voluntary. You can change your mind at any time and leave any of our studies without adverse consequences.

Are you pregnant or the biological mother of a newborn? The Howell Lab is looking for healthy infants ranging from birth to 2 months of age to participate in our study examining infant brain development.

Eligible infants and their mothers will be asked to come in for at least four visits over the course of two years. Infants may be eligible if they were born between 32-42 weeks of pregnancy with no major complications and have no significant health conditions.

Participation may involve:

• MRI Scanning (a safe, a non-invasive imaging tool)
• Behavioral Assessments (resembles games and playing)
  • Remotely accessed via Zoom
  • FBRI visit when the child is 12 and 24 months (can be changed depending on situation)
• Home Collection of Infant Fecal Samples
• Home Collection of Breast Milk (if mother is currently breastfeeding)
• Online Surveys (can be completed at home)

Visits should take 40 minutes to 2 hours each. At each time point, participants may be compensated between $40-160 ($410-750 over the two year study period), depending upon the level of involvement.

For more information or questions, visit www.howellmindlab.org, call us at 540-526-2062, or e-mail us at mindlab@vtc.vt.edu.

By tapping the insights and experiences of people who are in recovery from an addiction—whether to tobacco, alcohol, drugs, or a harmful behavior—the International Quit & Recovery Registry seeks to further scientific understanding of recovery and to inspire those struggling with addiction. Participation in the registry involves an online registration process, which includes a brief questionnaire about the individual's recovery process. Participants are also encouraged to share their success stories.

Visit International Quit & Recovery Registry

Interested in participating in taste research?

The Center for Health Behaviors Research at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC, located in Roanoke, is conducting a 5-week research study in which participants will taste several flavors, drink flavored beverages, and have their blood sugar levels measured.

Participants will:

• Complete a prescreening survey.
• Taste and rate several flavored beverages.
• Drink flavored beverages, that we provide, at home. 
• May have an MRI scan of their brain and receive a copy of their brain scan. 
• Be compensated up to $255 for participation in a tasting session, 3 blood draw sessions, 3 energy expenditure sessions, and one fMRI scanning session.

If interested in participating:

• Email us at dife_lab@vtc.vt.edu.
• Call 540-526-2174 and speak with research staff.
• Go to this website and complete the screening survey.

IRB # 19-927

Interested in participating in research on energy expenditure?

The Center for Health Behaviors Research at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech Carilion, located in Roanoke, is conducting a research study in which participants will undergo 2 different types of measurements of metabolic rate and drink flavored beverages or consume foods. Your involvement may last between 2-12 weeks.

Participants will:

• Complete a prescreening survey.
• Choose the number of beverages/foods and metabolic tests in which they would like to participate (up to 6 beverages or foods and 12 tests)
• Drink flavored beverages or eat foods while undergoing measurements of metabolic rate

If interested in participating:

Email us at dife_lab@vtc.vt.edu.

or

Call 540-526-2174 and speak with research staff.

or

Complete the prescreening survey here.

Do You Drink Alcohol? Are You Interested in Cutting Back?

You may be eligible to earn up to $470 in a compensated 3-session research study! If you are interested, please complete the screen online at vtcri.info/screen to learn if you are eligible.

Please note that this is not a treatment study.

Participation involves:

• Computerized assessments
• fMRI scan
• Self-administration of alcohol
• Questions on drug and alcohol use

Eligibility criteria include:

• Adults 21 years old and older
• Availability to participate in Roanoke once per week for three consecutive weeks
• Meeting all MRI safety qualifications

Additional travel compensation and transportation arrangements for the alcohol self-administration session will be provided as needed.

For more information, please call (540) 315-0205 or contact the research team at arrc@vtc.vt.edu.

Do you smoke cigarettes? 

Volunteers ages 21-65 needed for a 2-session confidential cigarette smoking study. 

This is not a treatment study.

Participation involves:

• Screening questions
• Sessions last 1-2 hours
• Computerized questionnaires
• Purchasing tasks
• Females who are able to becomepregnant and are: pregnant,lactating,or not willing to usecontraceptives are excluded.
• Flexible scheduling
  
• Transportation compensation available
• Compensation up to $87

Call or email for more information, or screen online today!

• (540) 315-0205
• arrc@vtc.vt.edu
• vtcri.info/screen

The Legon Lab at Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC is recruiting volunteers for a cutting-edge brain research study. If eligible, participants will take part in a multi-session study involving a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan, a computed tomography (CT) scan, low-intensity focused ultrasound (LIFU), testing consisting of heating and cooling sensations on the skin, and questionnaires.

Primary goal: To investigate the effects of low-intensity focused ultrasound (LIFU), a non-invasive brain stimulation method, on pain management.

Who is eligible? 

• Healthy adults aged 18-65
• Availability to participate in Roanoke for a multi-session study
• Meets all MRI and CT safety qualifications

How much time will it take? 

Each session will take about 2-2.5 hours for a total of about 11.5 hours. Additional optional sessions will be 2-2.5 hours, up to an 9 additional study hours.

How will I be compensated? 

Participants will be compensated between $250 and $410 depending on study participation.

The Legon Lab at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC is seeking volunteers to participate in cutting edge research investigating different settings of low-intensity focused ultrasound (LIFU). LIFU is a noninvasive brain stimulation method. This study will involve multiple sessions over a few weeks which will include a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan, a computed tomography (CT) scan, LIFU, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), measurement of muscle contractions, and questionnaires. 

Primary goal: To investigate different settings of low-intensity focused ultrasound (LIFU), a non-invasive brain stimulation method.

Who is eligible? 

• Healthy adults aged 18-65
• Availability to participate in Roanoke for a multi-session study
• Meets all MRI and CT safety qualifications

How much time will it take? 

Each session will take about 2.5 hours for a total of about 17.5 hours.

How will I be compensated? 

Participants will be compensated approximately $360, depending on study participation.

(VT IRB 21-882)

The Legon Lab at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC is seeking volunteers to participate in cutting edge research investigating different durations of low-intensity focused ultrasound (LIFU). LIFU is a noninvasive brain stimulation method. This study will involve multiple sessions over a few weeks which will include a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan, a computed tomography (CT) scan, LIFU, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), measurement of muscle contractions, and questionnaires.

Primary goal: To investigate different durations of low-intensity focused ultrasound (LIFU), a non-invasive brain stimulation method.

Who is eligible? 

• Healthy adults aged 18-65
• Availability to participate in Roanoke for a multi-session study
• Meets all MRI and CT safety qualifications

How much time will it take? 

Each session will take 2.5 to 3 hours for a total of about 20.5 hours.

How will I be compensated? 

Participants will be compensated approximately $420, depending on study participation.

(VT IRB 21-892)

The Center for Health Behaviors Research at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC, located in Roanoke, is conducting a 5-week research study to investigate how foods we eat influence our brains.

Qualifications

• Ages 18-45
• Willing to attend sessions at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute in Roanoke

What is involved?

• All sessions in Roanoke
• Participants ages 18-45
• 5 in-person and 3 online sessions over 5 weeks (~18 hours total)
• Drinking sweetened drinks at specified times each week
  
• Measurements of energy use (metabolic rate)
• IV blood draws
• MRI brain scan
  

What you will get

• Up to $420
• Health information, including:
  • Hemoglobin A1C test results
  • Fasting blood sugar results
  • Metabolic rate test results
• An MRI picture of your brain

IRB #23-297

The Center for Health Behaviors Research at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC, located in Roanoke, is conducting a 3-9 week research study in which participants will eat various meals, and have their blood sugar and metabolic rates measured.

For this study, participants will:

• Participate in up to 3 meal conditions for ~2 weeks each
• Consume foods while undergoing measurements of metabolic rate and having blood drawn
• Undergo an fMRI scan

Participants will be compensated up to $590 for participation.

•  If interested in participating, you can: 
  Go to tinyurl.com/nffctu3w and complete the screening survey.
• Email us at dife_lab@vtc.vt.edu.
• Call 540-526-2174 and speak with research staff.

IRB: #21-1052

The Legon Lab at Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC is recruiting volunteers for a cutting-edge brain research study. If eligible, participants will take part in a five-session study involving magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, a computed tomography (CT) scan, low-intensity focused ultrasound (LIFU), and questionnaires.

Primary goal: To investigate the effects of low-intensity focused ultrasound (LIFU), a non-invasive brain stimulation method, on brain signals

Who is eligible? 

• Healthy adults aged 18-65
• Availability to participate in Roanoke for a multi-session study
• Meets all MRI and CT safety qualifications
• Not pregnant
• No known neurologic disorder, history of neurologic disorder, or history of drug dependence

How much time will it take? 

Each session will take 2 to 3 hours for a total of about 12 to 14.5 hours.

How will I be compensated? 

Participants will be compensated between $250 and $300, depending on study participation.

(VT IRB 22-247)

Are you feeling down or blue?
Have you lost interest or pleasure in things you used to enjoy?
Do you worry most of the time?

If these questions describe you, please call to see if you qualify to participate in a brain imaging study at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC located at 2 Riverside Circle, Roanoke, Virginia.

The Chiu Lab is conducting a research study to understand how feelings related to depression or anxiety may affect how the brain makes decisions. By looking at a person’s brain while they play computer games, we can begin to understand how they might make decisions in real life and what brain functions are used in the process. The study is also interested in how behavioral training or psychotherapy may impact decision-making.

This study is expected to take place initially across multiple weeks. Participants will engage in interview/questionnaire sessions (2-3 hours) and scanning sessions (1-2 hours) at two different time points (first and last session). Participants will make choices between two stimuli while undergoing a Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Scan (fMRI), which is a way to take pictures of the brain’s activity. While in the fMRI scanner, participants will be asked to play simple computer games by responding to pictures on the computer screen and using button response boxes held in their hands. MRI is a standard non-invasive scanning procedure that is FDA approved.

Apart from the fMRI and interview sessions, study procedures include randomly assigned participation in behavioral training (across 4 weeks) or psychotherapy (across 12 weeks) for up to 12 sessions. The study team may also collect biological samples from participants. These samples may include urine, breath, and/or saliva samples. Additionally, participants may be invited for three follow-up sessions that are scheduled three, six and twelve months after these initial study procedures are complete.

Virginia Tech is conducting a paid brain imaging study of cigarette or e-cigarette users. Contact us to see if you qualify!

The Human Neuroimaging Laboratory (HNL) at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC is seeking healthy volunteers, ages 18-85 for the Roanoke Brain Study.  The Roanoke Brain Study is a large-scale project where subjects will be able to contribute to state-of-the art brain research on how people make decisions. Volunteers will be asked to participate in one or more tasks at the HNL. Additional follow-up visits may be offered to some of the subjects participating in the study.

Volunteers will complete at least one task related to decision-making behavior, and may complete questionnaires. Volunteers will play simple video games, watch patterns of light on a screen, read short stories or receive small squirts of juice in their mouth while seated in an office room at a computer or while they lie in a magnetic resonance imaging scanner (MRI scanner), and their brain is scanned.

Compensation will be about $20-$30 per visit. Volunteers will sit at a computer (in an office space or behavior booth) in the HNL, or lie still in the MRI scanner for up to one hour at a time while they play a game, watch patterns, read short stories, interact with another person, or receive squirts of juice. The amount earned will be based on the time at the lab ($20 per hour), up to a maximum of $40. By participating, you will be contributing to our understanding of how the brain responds to patterns and rewards and how it makes decisions. It is also hoped that this will lead to a better understanding of important decision behavior and how it may change over the course of our lives. Volunteers may be taking medication for medical reasons, but must not be taking illegal drugs. No drugs will be given in this study. Total time for each visit will be between 1 and 2 hours.

Please contact Rachel Silver at signup@vtc.vt.edu if you are interested in participating! 

VT IRB #10-893 

Want to see your brain? And earn money while you advance research?

The Human Neuroimaging Laboratory at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC invites you to participate in a brain imaging study that investigates the brain’s response to decision-making and reward. While receiving a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scan, which uses a magnet and radio waves (no x-rays!), you may be asked to:

• Play a game
• View images
• Read short stories
• Receive small squirts of juice
• Interact with another person

Payment is at least $20, and you will receive a copy of your brain images on CD.

Please go to  https://fralinbiomed.info/12-387 if you are interested in participating.

If you have any questions or need further assistance, please contact us by email at signup@vtc.vt.edu or call (540) 526-2034.

VT IRB #12-387

The Human Neuroimaging Laboratory at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC, located in Roanoke, Virginia, would like to invite you to participate in a research study. We would like to understand how mindfulness impacts people with conditions such as sleep difficulties, anxiety or depression. In this study, you will be asked to complete a series of questionnaires during in-person or virtual sessions, and you may be asked to complete study procedures outside of the lab.

Eligibility:  Adults between the ages of 18-65 that have self-reported sleep difficulties, anxiety or depression.

Compensation: Typically $50-150 depending on study duration and questionnaires completed

Study duration:  1-8 weeks, 1-2 hours per session (1 in-person session, and 2 online sessions), and daily home-exercises. 

Institute sponsor: Human Neuroimaging Laboratory

If you are interested in volunteering, please visit: https://redcap.link/admt

Contact: mindfulness@vtc.vt.edu or call 540-526-2034

VT IRB # 21-295

The Human Neuroimaging Laboratory (HNL) at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC is conducting a brain imaging study that investigates the brain response to constraint in typical individuals. The HNL is recruiting adults (18-65) to participate in a 4-day research study.

What Will You Be Asked to Do?

Wear a removable cast on your dominant arm for 48 hours.

• Complete 6 MRI and/or OPM sessions, which are part of a 4-day study lasting between 1 to 3 hours.
• Potentially complete questionnaires and functional assessments.
• Compensation

You will be compensated at a rate of $30 per hour, with the opportunity to earn an additional bonus of up to $100.

Interested in learning more?

Please contact the study team with any questions you may have and, if interested in participating, submit an interest form. A member of the study team will reach out to you once your form has been submitted.

Contact: (540) 526-2034 or signup@vtc.vt.edu

Interest form: https://fralinbiomed.info/24-786

VT IRB #24-786

The Human Neuroimaging Laboratory (HNL) at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC, located in Roanoke, Virginia would like to invite you to participate in a research study. We would like to understand how mindfulness impacts the brain. In this study, you may be asked to complete a series of tasks in an MRI machine, and to fill in questionnaires online and/or during on-site visits. Alternately, you may be asked to complete tasks or questionnaires outside of the scanner, while your heart rate and/or breathing is monitored.

•  Eligibility:  Healthy adults between the ages of 18-65
• Compensation:  typically $20-100 depending on study duration and tasks completed
• Study duration:  1-3 hours 
• Institute sponsor:  Human Neuroimaging Laboratory

If you are interested in volunteering, please visit: https://fralinbiomed.info/meditation

Contact: mindfulness@vtc.vt.edu or call 540-526-2034

VT IRB # 21-295