Decision Making and Brain Development Study

Help Understand How Decision Making Plays a Role in Brain Development

The Casas Lab is conducting a research study to understand how individual differences in decision making affect the development of the brain. 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.

Participants may be asked to complete questionnaires and assessments about behaviors and past experiences. Eligible participants may also undergo functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scanning sessions where they will play decision-making games. MRI is a standard, non-invasive procedure that is FDA approved. This research study includes at least one session, lasting 1-4 hours. You may be invited to complete multiple sessions (up to 10 total visits), and procedures will be highly similar across each visit.

This study will be conducted at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC located at 2 Riverside Circle, Roanoke, Virginia.

How much will I be compensated?

Participation also includes:

• For the time and effort you put toward this study, you will be compensated $20/hour
• During the scanning portion of this study, you will have the opportunity to earn up to an additional $30 based on performance in the games.
• An opportunity to receive an MRI brain scan
• An opportunity to receive a flash drive and a printed image of your brain

Who is eligible to participate?

You may be eligible to participate if you:

• Are 25-84 years old
• Are NOT claustrophobic
• Do NOT have any metal implants (e.g., pacemakers, cochlear implants, spinal fusion)
• Have NOT had a head injury (e.g., loss of consciousness exceeding ten minutes, TBI)

VT IRB# 22-540

Interested in learning more? 

Please contact us with any questions you have and a research team member will follow-up with you.

Or you can call or email us if you have questions. Thank you.