Recruiting healthy volunteers for mental health research
Recruitment and Characterization of Healthy Research Volunteers for NIMH Intramural Studies
This study is looking for healthy adults to help gather brain imaging data that can be used in future mental health research.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Enrollment | 2000 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 70 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | National Institutes of Health Clinical Center (CC) NIH |
| Locations | 1 site (Bethesda, Maryland) |
| Trial ID | NCT03304665 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This study aims to recruit and characterize healthy adult volunteers for participation in research studies at the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). Participants will complete an online screening to assess eligibility, followed by an in-person assessment at the NIH Clinical Center. The study includes optional procedures such as MRI brain scans and MEG recordings to develop a normative set of brain imaging data linked to healthy characteristics. The data collected will be shared broadly with other researchers to maximize scientific impact.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are healthy adults aged 18 to 70 who can provide informed consent and understand English.
Not a fit: Patients with significant medical or mental health conditions, or those who are pregnant, will not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could enhance the understanding of brain function in healthy individuals, providing a valuable reference for future mental health research.
How similar studies have performed: Other studies involving healthy volunteer recruitment and brain imaging have shown success in establishing normative data, making this approach well-supported.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
* INCLUSION CRITERIA: * 18 - 70 years of age. * Able to read, speak, and understand English. * Able to provide informed consent. * In current good general health. EXCLUSION CRITERIA: * Have a history of significant or unstable medical or mental health condition requiring treatment, such as heart or lung disease, depression or psychosis. * Endorse current self-injury, suicidal thoughts or behavior. * Have current illicit drug use by history or urine drug screen. * Are found to have an abnormal physical exam or laboratory result that may require treatment or further evaluation. * Less than an 8th grade education. * Pregnancy. * Positive HIV test as HIV positivity has been associated with neurological changes. Optional Brain MRI scan exclusion criteria: * Metal in body which would make having an MRI scan unsafe. * Being uncomfortable in small, closed spaces such as the MRI machine. * Inability to lie comfortably on back for at least 45 minutes. * Pregnancy. Optional MEG recording exclusion criteria: -Metal in body which would cause artifacts on MEG recordings.
Where this trial is running
Bethesda, Maryland
- National Institutes of Health Clinical Center — Bethesda, Maryland, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Carlos A Zarate, M.D. — National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
- Study coordinator: Carlos A Zarate, M.D.
- Email: researchvolunteer@nih.gov
- Phone: (301) 326-5836
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.