LIBR Research FAQs: July Q&A

How is my privacy protected? I am sharing personal information about myself.
We take confidentiality and privacy very seriously at LIBR, information you provide will be protected as outlined by The Office for Human Research Protections (OHRP) for all of our research studies. OHRP provides leadership in the protection of the rights, welfare, and wellbeing of subjects involved in research conducted or supported by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). OHRP is part of the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health (OASH) in the Office of the Secretary (OS), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. See their link: http://www.hhs.gov/ohrp/

What do I need to do to participate in a study?
If you are interested in one of our studies or would like more information, please call 918-502-5100. One of our clinicians will arrange an interview with you over the phone to help us to determine of the studies are a good fit for you. If so, an in-person interview will be arranged. Entry criteria will vary from study to study.

Where can I learn about studies that are recruiting participants?
To learn about studies that are actively recruiting participants, please visit the "Ongoing Studies" section of our website or follow us on Facebook.

Is there compensation provided for participating in a study?
Yes, you will be paid for your time and effort spent participating in a study.

What if I sign up for the study, but decide later that I don’t want to participate?
Participation in all of our studies is voluntary and you may choose to stop participating at any time. 

Why do people participate in mental health research?
Many healthy volunteers participate in research to help others and contribute to advancement in science. Participants with an illness or disorder often participate to help others too, but also to possibly receive new treatments or additional information about their mental health. Research studies offer hope for many people and an opportunity for scientists better understand dysfunction in mental health and discover ways to benefit others in the future.

What is informed consent? 
Informed consent is the process of providing potential participants with the key facts about a clinical trial before they decide whether to participate. The process of informed consent (providing additional information) continues throughout the study. To help someone decide whether or not to participate, members of the research team explain the details of the study. The research team provides an informed consent document that includes details about the study, such as its purpose, duration, required procedures, and who to contact for further information. The informed consent document also explains risks and potential benefits. The participant then decides whether to sign the document. Informed consent is not a contract. Volunteers are free to withdraw from the study completely or to refuse particular treatments or tests at any time. Sometimes, however, this will make them ineligible to continue the study. All research at Laureate Institute for Brain Research has been reviewed and approved by an Institutional Review and Ethics Board (IREB).

What is magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)?
MRI is a non-invasive imaging technology that produces three dimensional detailed anatomical images without the use of radiation. It is safe, painless and uses no radiation. The MRI scanner uses a large magnet to acquire pictures of the brain. There are no known side effects of the MRI scanning used at the Laureate Institute for Brain Research. 

We do not perform MRIs on women who are or who might be pregnant. Additionally, since magnets are attracted to the iron which can be found in some metal products, you will be asked a list of questions that will help us determine if the MRI is safe for you. Some common MRI exclusions are metal braces, pacemakers and body jewelry that cannot be removed. The staff will go over a full list with you during the informed consent process.

Watch this 60-second video to learn what happens in the body during an MRI scan:

What happens during an MRI scan?
The MRI scanner is composed of a large bed which slides into the cylinder. As the bed slides in, your head and upper body will be in the center of the cylinder for varying lengths of time. The room is cold, so it is best to dress in warm and comfortable clothing. When the machine is working, it can be very loud and makes different kinds of noises. To increase your comfort, you will be given ear-plugs to reduce noise volume. An MRI technologist will run the MRI scanner and research staff will be present in the room adjacent to the scanner. Depending on the research project, you may be asked to perform various tasks in the scanner while your body remains inside the cylinder. This allows the researchers to view the physiological responses of your brain as it performs various functions (this procedure is termed “functional MRI” or fMRI). Occasionally, some people experience nervousness or claustrophobic feelings due to the scanner's small space. If this or any other discomfort occurs you will be able to let the MRI staff know this and the scan can be stopped.