Volunteering for research
Our goal is to understand how early developmental disruptions in brain wiring occur, what effects these disruptions have on brain function, and how the brain is rewired. To undertake this work, we are seeking volunteers from the community to take part in our research studies to understand the brain.
Electing to participate in human research is a highly personal choice, and you are under no obligation to participate, even if one of your family members is involved. In addition, volunteers can freely withdraw from the study for any reason and at any stage.
Getting involved!
Research studies are being conducted regularly by our laboratory. Both neurotypical individuals as well as individuals with disorders of the corpus callosum are invited participate. If you are under 18 years of age and wish to volunteer for a research study, your parent or legal guardian must consent to your participation on your behalf.
The eligibility requirements for participating will vary across research studies. If you are not eligible for participating in one study, you may be eligible for another. Please let our research staff know if you are interested in volunteering, as we maintain a database of interested volunteers. We can then email you when new research opportunities become available. If you have any questions about participating in research, please direct them to our research staff so that we can address any concerns you might have.
Making an informed decision
Before you participant in any of our human research studies, you will first be asked to review an information leaflet which outlines who is running the study, what the study is about, why this research is being conducted, and what activities you are being invited to undertake.
The extent of your participation will vary across studies. Participation may be limited to providing a one-time sample of blood or saliva, or solving a collection of puzzles during an online research session. Alternatively, your participation may be more extensive, requiring you to undertake one or more magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, or complete multiple sessions of neuropsychological testing. All of these activities, as well as any potential benefits or risks to you, will be outlined in the information leaflet provided. Our staff will be on hand to answer any questions you might have about your involvement in a research study.
Protecting your rights and safety
All research conducted by our laboratory is approved and overseen by the Washington University in St Louis’ (WUSTL) Institutional Review Board (IRB), an independent body which was created to ensure that all human research studies conducted at WUSTL are carried out in a safe and ethical manner. If you have any concerns about the research practices you encounter while volunteering, or as a prospective participant, you are encouraged to contact the IRB with these concerns so that any issues can be properly addressed.
To be part of our research, please contact: corpuscallosumresearch@wustl.edu