Research studies

Cardiac diffusion weighted imaging The MR scan will be performed in a head-first position like the brain scan, the difference however is that the heart will be in the isocentre instead of the brain. Cardiac MR scans are usually cardiac triggered, so we need to attach 4 ECG electrodes (stickers) on the participant's chest which will be then connected to our MR conditional ECG unit. The remaining part is very similar to the brain scan and all the limitations/restrictions that apply to brain MRI such as not having any metallic implant, metallic tattoo, etc. apply to the cardiac MR as well. Start Date: April 10, 2024    120 minutes    Age Eligibility: 18-50 (years)    Location: CUBRIC    20     Additional Info    Register Interest  

Investigating autonomous vehicles: A driving simulator study We are looking for volunteers to participate in a simulator-based experiment to help us understand how people react to different behaviours of self-driving cars. It takes place in the IRHOMS lab in the School of Psychology (Tower Building). The study will last up to 30 minutes and involve sitting in the driving simulator experiencing an immersive driving scenario, as well as completing some questionnaires. Slots will be released for this Friday 14th June (both in the morning and afternoon) as well as in the coming weeks. Please get in touch to learn more: zhangq47@cardiff.ac.uk Start Date: June 14, 2024    30 minutes    Age Eligibility: 18+ (years)    Location: PSYCHOLOGY    £6.00     Additional Info    Register Interest  

Capturing glymphatic flow during sleep at our Cutting-Edge 7T MRI! We’re seeking healthy volunteers for a non-invasive study using 7T MRI without tasks. Did you know that rodents studies have shown the brain’s waste clearance system works more efficiently during sleep, helping us feel refreshed the next morning? Yet, direct evidence of how this system mechanism in humans is still lacking. That’s where you come in! By participating in this study, you'll help us uncover the mysteries of the brain’s natural processes and their impact on overall health. What’s involved? A 90-minute awake MRI scan after a normal night of sleep. And, a 90-minute sleep-encouraged MRI scan after a night of sleep deprivation. Interested? Contact me now! Start Date: Oct. 15, 2024    up to 30 hours    Age Eligibility: 18-35 (years)    Location: CUBRIC    ￡ 80     Additional Info    Register Interest  

Scientific sleepover We are currently looking for volunteers aged 18-35 to take part in a sleep study investigating the relationship between sleep, emotions and memory. What does the study involve: An overnight session including: A short questionnaire and a behavioural computer task in the evening, An overnight stay at our sleep lab, A short questionnaire and a behavioural computer task in the morning. 1-week follow up session: A short questionnaire and a behavioural task in the morning. 2-week follow up session: A short questionnaire and a behavioural task in the morning, Debrief. Please keep in mind that this study involves collecting some physiological measures, so only sign up if you are comfortable with that! You will receive up to £50 compensation for your help. If you are interested in taking part, please click on Visit Website to see the participant information sheet, complete the consent form and the screening. You will likely require around 15 minutes to complete the screening. If you have any questions, contact us at remtmr-cubric@cardiff.ac.uk for more information and to check eligibility. Start Date: June 10, 2024    Two weeks    Age Eligibility: 18-35 (years)    Location: CUBRIC    50     Additional Info    Visit Website  

Perception of Facial Expressions We are looking for healthy volunteers aged 18-40. This study is looking at perception of facial expressions, to help us understand more about how we process the emotional content of social stimuli. A simple computer-based task will take between 45 and 60 minutes to complete. As a thank you for participation, there will be an £8 evoucher. Start Date: Oct. 17, 2024    1 hour maximum    Age Eligibility: 18-40 (years)    Location: CUBRIC    Voucher     Additional Info    Register Interest  

Posttraumatic growth in young adults who have experienced complex trauma Many people who have had traumatic experiences go on to make positive changes in their lives. This is not a denial of the negative impacts of trauma and can offer hope for survivors.   Our study is trying to understand what helps young adults who have experienced repeated trauma in early relationships (called complex trauma) grow and change in positive ways (called posttraumatic growth). Namely, this research is interested in understanding how talking therapies may contribute to posttraumatic growth. We are hoping to build a model of this process, which could help to improve services for people in the future. Participants will attend an online interview with a researcher (who is a clinical psychologist in training). You’ll be asked questions about your experiences of trauma, mental health support and posttraumatic growth. To express interest in this project please complete the screening questionnaire. Start Date: Sept. 1, 2024    1-2 hours    Age Eligibility: 18-25 (years)    Location: ONLINE    15     Additional Info    Visit Website  

The effect of sleep on creative integration We’re looking for participants aged 18-35 to take part in a psychology study investigating the sleep related benefit to creative thought. Study will involve a computer-based learning task followed by either a sleep or wake period returning to the lab for a test session. Participants will be required for 2 x ~ 1-hour sessions, separated by 12 hours and will be paid £14 for their time upon completion of the study. Please email Lordj1@cardiff.ac.uk for more details, referencing ‘RI study’ Start Date: April 10, 2024    2    Age Eligibility: 18-35 (years)    Location: CUBRIC    14     Additional Info    Register Interest  

Sleep for research ! Sleep study investigating the relationship between sleep, memory, and mood.​ The study stretches over a 2 week period with at home questionnaires and tasks and requires one night in the Sleep Lab after 1 week. Start Date: March 1, 2024    2 weeks    Age Eligibility: 18-35 (years)    Location: CUBRIC    50     Additional Info    Visit Website  

The effects of piano training on cognition and neuroplasticity. Music training can affect cognition and brain structure. We are recruiting cognitively healthy adults over the age of 50 years, who have little-to-no music training, who would be interested in learning to play the piano for 8 weeks. The study involves 1.5 hours of cognitive testing and an (optional) 30-minute brain scan before and after an 8-week training period. Participants will be randomly assigned to either piano training (keyboards provided) or a control group. All participants will receive piano training as a thank-you for their participation and will be entered into a draw for a £100 voucher. Contact Fionnuala for more information RogersF2@cardiff.ac.uk. Start Date: Aug. 12, 2024    10 weeks    Age Eligibility: 50+ (years)    Location: CUBRIC    100 draw and piano training     Additional Info    Register Interest  

Non-invasive histology of the brain microstructure The main aim of the project is to develop, implement and validate quantitative models and estimation techniques to characterise the brain tissue microstructure in vivo by using MRI data from different modalities. Start Date: June 12, 2024    45    Age Eligibility: 18-60 (years)    Location: CUBRIC    0     Additional Info    Register Interest