Research studies

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  

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  

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  

Investigating inflammation and the brain We are seeking healthy volunteers aged 18 to 55 to participate in a study investigating the effects of inflammation on the brain. The study involves researchers from Cardiff University. All testing will take place at the Cardiff University Brain Imaging Centre (CUBRIC). This study will involve coming to CUBRIC (Maindy Road, Cardiff) for a screening visit followed by two full days of testing. Each testing session will involve receiving an injection of either Lipopolysaccharide (to activate your immune system) or water (placebo), followed by regular blood tests, an MRI brain scan and a computer task. Start Date: Nov. 4, 2024    2 x 8 hour days    Age Eligibility: 18-55 (years)    Location: CUBRIC    200 payment     Additional Info    Register Interest  

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  

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  

The effects of rhythmic drumming training We are recruiting adults aged 50+ with no history of brain injury or neurological conditions. You must also not play a musical instrument. The study will explore if drum training will have any effect(s) on movement and thinking abilities, and on the brain. We hope that in the future, this drumming training may be able to provide a remotely accessible training tool to help improve movement and thinking abilities for those who need it. If you decide to take part, you will attend Cardiff University Brain Research Imaging Centre (CUBRIC) to have your first MRI brain scan and some tests of cognition and motor control. The brain scanning will take approximately 30 minutes and the cognitive and motor testing around 2-2.5 hours. You can take breaks between the cognitive tests, if needed. The attention tasks will be either paper and pencil tasks or will be performed on a computer. Depending on the group you are put into, you be asked to do one of the following things: 1) continue your day-to-day life as normal for 8 weeks, OR 2)engage in online drumming training using a tablet, which will be provided, for around 10 minutes, 5 days per week, for 8 weeks. Start Date: Sept. 18, 2023    8 weeks    Age Eligibility: 50+ (years)    Location: CUBRIC    25-43     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  

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  

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