Welcome Prospective Participants!
The Cognitive Aging and Neuroimaging Lab.
STUDIES | WHAT IS fMRI | FAQs | Directions
There are two types of studies in which you can choose to participate in:
(1) Behavioral Studies
Visit our lab twice. During the initial lab visit you would perform a set of paper and pencil tests designed to examine many aspects of cognitive function, including memory, vocabulary, and problem solving. Most participants find this fun and enjoy their time with the researchers. At a later date, you will be scheduled to visit the lab for a second time in which you will view words or pictures on a computer screen and will be asked to make judgements about them (e.g., semantic decisions, memory decisions, pleasantness).
Eligibility Requirements for behavioral studies:
- Be between 18-30 or 60 -85 years of age
- Be a native English speaker
- Have at least a high school diploma
- Have no history and be on no medication for: Psychiatric disorders or diseases (e.g., depression, anxiety, mood disorders) or neurological disorders or diseases (e.g., stroke, head injury, epilepsy, seizures, brain tumor, brain surgery, Parkinson's Disease).
(2) fMRI Studies
Visit our lab twice. During the initial lab visit you would perform a set of paper and pencil tests designed to examine many aspects of cognitive function, including memory, vocabulary, and problem solving. At a later date, you will be scheduled to visit the lab for a second time in which you will participate in the actual fMRI scan. Participants will perform similar tasks to those of the behavioral study, except they will be doing so while an MRI scanner takes pictures of the brain. The MRI scanning requires that you lie quietly in the MRI scanner for approximately 1-2 hours while keeping very still. Most people report that the procedure involves little discomfort.
Additional eligibility requirements for MRI studies:
- Be right handed
- Have no untreated high blood pressure
- Have no pacemaker, metal implants, prosthetics, pins, plates, or metal fragments in body or eye (Dental fillings are OK).
MRI, or magnetic resonance imaging, is a tool we use to image the brain while it is performing a cognitive task. This allows us to detect the location and magnitude of brain activity involved in the various types of cognitive functions we study. MRI allows us to view and record the changes in your brain activity during the time you are in the scanner.
Images are acquired using a combination of very powerful magnets and radio waves that alter the position of atoms in the body so that they reflect back a signal that is interpreted to show the composition of tissue (brain anatomy) or the amount of blood flow (brain activity).
MRIs are non-invasive and do not involve any X-rays, radiation, or injections. Currently there are no known risks from exposure to the magnetic fields and radio waves used in Magnetic Resonance Imaging; it is not assured that harmful effects will not be recognized in the future. One known risk is that strong magnetic fields attract iron or steel metal objects, posing a safety risk. Prior to entering the scanner you will be given a questionnaire to determine if you have any foreign metal objects in your body such as a pacemaker, shrapnel, metal plate, etc. (see eligibility above). There is also a small risk of discomfort from claustrophobia, periods of immobility, and exposure to the noise of the magnet. To avoid these risks we screen people who are (or think they might be) claustrophobic, or would have trouble lying still on their back for an extended period. In addition, all participants are required to wear ear plugs while inside the scanner.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do participants receive their testing results?
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No, you would not receive your testing results. We are taking these images for research purposes only.
Who performs the MRI testing?
- The MRI testing would be conducted by a trained fMRI technician while a CAN lab member under the direction of Dr. Dennis, our research professor, assists with the cognitive task data collection.
How much will I be compensated for my participation?
- You will be paid $8/hr for time spent in the lab and $20/hr for time spent inside the MRI scanner. You will fill out a payment form each time you participate and a check will be mailed to you within a week.
Can I participate in more than one study?
- Definitely. We have many different behavioral and MRI studies running throughout the year. Participation in more than one study is encouraged.
Do you provide parking?
- Yes. We reimburse for parking in the Nittany Lion Inn parking deck located directly adjacent to the Moore building. We also provide free parking in the lot directly adjacent to Chandlee, which houses the MRI scanner.
My spouse or friend is interested in participating as well. Can the two of us come at the same time and participate together?
- Yes. While we don't always have the facilities to run both of you through the experiment at the same exact time, we can stagger your activities so that as long as each of you doesn't mind a little extra 'waiting time', you can still drive in with your spouse or friend.
If I live far away, but occasionally make trips to the State College area, can I arrange in advance to participate at a convenient time?
- Yes. We can schedule study appointments far in advance and even accommodate you with special two-in-one appointments to reduce the number of visits you need to make to participate in a study.
I am too busy now, but what if I want to participate in the future?
- Our studies are ongoing, so you can sign up now and we will contact you in the future, as new studies arise.
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If you have interests or questions, or to schedule an appointment, please contact:
Nancy Dennis, PhD, Assistant Professor, Psychology
Lab Phone: 814-865-0878 Lab Email: CANLABatPSU@gmail.com
241 Moore Building, Pennsylvania State University, University Park 16802