Participate at the NRB – We need your help to discover the brain processes involved in drug use and dependence!
Here at the Neuroimaging Research Branch, we are actively looking for both drug-users and non-drug users to participate in some of our ongoing research studies using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
As a research volunteer you can:
- Be compensated for your time
- Contribute to scientific discovery
- Learn what your brain looks like (and even get your brain on a t-shirt!)
Join one of our studies today by clicking on the banner to the right!
Your participation is important to the scientific community. Whether you use drugs or not, we need volunteers like you to help us understand why some people become addicted to drugs, the effects of addictive drugs on brain networks, as well as potential ways of preventing or treating substance abuse. Research is an ongoing process, and we always have studies in progress!
What is MRI and how does it work?
Functional MRI, or ‘FMRI’, allows us to get pictures of the brain while it is active and working! This is in contrast to ‘standard’ MRI scans, which produce images of the brain’s shape and appearance. It is analogous to looking at a movie of actions vs. a static photograph.
Both types of MRI scanning use radio waves and a strong magnetic field to create the images.
MRI is safe and painless. There are no known health risks!
- No injections
- No radiation
- All patient information is kept confidential
NOTE: Those with claustrophobia may experience anxiety inside the narrow scanner tube. If small spaces make you anxious or uncomfortable, you should not volunteer for MRI studies.
FMRI Procedure
You will be asked to lie inside a tube-shaped machine while remaining as still as possible and wearing a helmet-like device that allows us to pick up your brain signal. You may be asked to perform a mental task during this time. You may communicate with technicians via intercom at any time while inside the scanner. A technician will always tell you when a scan is about to begin.
In general, participants are in the MRI machine for about two hours at a time, although each thinking task usually last between 10-20 minutes. The total participation time, which includes filling out information forms and practicing the tasks to be performed, typically takes several additional hours.
Compensation for Participation
Compensation for participation varies based on the requirements of the study. Participants may also receive a picture of their brain along with a T-shirt. We can even put your brain picture on the back of your T-shirt!
Please call 1-800-535-8254 or visit https://researchstudies.nida.nih.gov/ for more information.
Want to Participate in NIDA research?
To answer a few short questions and leave your contact information so that we can call you about your eligibility for our studies, please…
Click here, call 1-888-Our-Brain (1-888-687-2724) 0r email: neuroimaging@mail.nih.gov
If you are a current smoker who wants to quit, a former smoker or a current smoker who isn’t ready to quit yet you may be eligible to participate in our research. Please call:
1-866-START-NOW
(1-866- 782- 7866)
Monday through Friday 8:30 am to 6:30 pm Click here to sign up now!
E-mail: neuroimaging@mail.nih.gov
