MIMIC Study

MIMIC Study

map-marker.pngWestern Interdisciplinary Research Building (WIRB), Robarts Research Institute (RRI), University Hospital (UH), or Victoria Hospital (VH)

Advances in life-saving medical technology have dramatically increased survival rates for patients after severe brain injury. The recovery and continued care of these individuals often require extensive stays in intensive care units (ICUs), where critical treatment decisions are made to maximize the likelihood of recovering consciousness and cognitive function. These decisions are typically based on unreliable behavioural responses, rather than on objective and quantifiable indicators. Our goal is to combine functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), advanced electroencephalography (EEG), and time-resolved functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) to improve diagnosis and prognosis in the ICU. To do so, we are seeking healthy control volunteers to image brain activity to compare to the imaging we will do in the patient population.

Healthy Volunteers

18+ years old

No cognitive impairments


Who can participate in this study?

Participants 18 years and older with no prior history of neurological disease or cognitive impairment and no MRI contraindications (metal in body, pacemakers, etc.).

What is involved?

This study will use three different imaging methods functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), and electroencephalography (EEG) to assess brain activity. You may be eligible for some or all of the imaging methods. fNIRS and EEG testing will occur at the Brain and Mind Institute at Western University while fMRI scanning will occur at Robarts Research Institute or at University or Victoria Hospital. During these tasks, we may collect data on how your brain responds to auditory stimuli, movie listening, median nerve stimulation, imagery tasks, and at rest. Each imaging method is expected to take one hour.

Principal Investigator & Posting Dates

Principal Investigator: Adrian Owen
Study posted on: September 22nd, 2020
Recruitment open until: March 1st, 2027

Who can I contact to learn more about this study?

For more information about this study please contact:
Owen Lab Research Team: uwocerc@uwo.ca

 

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