This study is taking place through the Early Emotional Development Program at Washington University School of Medicine. The lab is located at 4444 Forest Park Ave, St Louis, MO 63108, at the corner of Forest Park & Newstead Ave in the Central West End (CWE).
If you are driving here, we have reserved parking spaces for EEDP visitors in the lot outside our building. If you are taking public transit, we are located within walking distance of the CWE MetroBus and MetroLink stations.
We are also happy to arrange a car service to and from the lab for you and your child, free of charge.
For a typical appointment you and your child will be invited to our lab to play games and complete interviews and surveys. Your child will also complete a safe non-invasive EEG where we record your child’s brain activity during child-friendly games. The visit takes approximately 2-3 hours (depending on the study), and includes plenty of time for bathroom and snack breaks.
Watch the video below to learn more about how an EEG is done!
We now collect small hair samples from children in many of our studies because this is a great way to learn about the hormone changes associated with puberty. We take the sample from the back of the child’s head using small scissors, and take care to choose a non-visible location. Our researchers have experience working with all hair types and are happy to show you and your child exactly how much hair we need for the sample and to check with you before we take the sample. Caregivers are also welcome to cut the hair sample themselves while we coach you through it.
We schedule appointments Monday-Friday between 9am and 6pm and also have weekend availability. If you choose to come into the lab during school hours we can provide an absence note for your child.
All studies conducted by the Early Emotional Development Program have been thoroughly reviewed by Washington University’s Institutional Review Board (IRB). The board carefully evaluates proposed studies before they begin and throughout the course of the study to ensure that the research is ethical and conducted in such a way that protects the privacy of participants, in addition to handling any comments or questions about the research. If you have any questions, please contact the IRB.