A volunteer in the 7T MRI facility

If you would like to get involved and help with our research studies by volunteering, please see below for the list of studies currently recruiting.

Volunteering is safe and painless. Every research project follows strict ethical guidelines approved by The University of Queensland's Human Ethics Committee.

All studies take place at the Centre for Advanced Imaging, The University of Queensland St Lucia campus.

For more details, please see the individual study descriptions below and contact the lead researcher for more information.

Genetics of brain development in epilepsy 

To study the role of genes in brain development leading to epilepsy, we seek male and female volunteers (no brain damage, psychiatric disorder, substance dependency) aged 40+ as healthy controls.

Participation involves giving a small blood sample for genome sequencing, a stool sample for metagenome sequencing of gut bacteria, and an ultra-high resolution 7T MRI scan of your brain. Participation takes about two-and-a-half (2.5) hours at the Centre for Advanced Imaging (UQ, St Lucia campus), where free parking is possible.

You will receive $50 to compensate for your time and travel. For further information, please contact Soumen Ghosh: soumen.ghosh@uq.net.au   

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Localising language cortex using task-free fMRI and naturalistic stimuli.

This study is seeking volunteers to test a new non-invasive imaging technique, naturalistic fMRI, to locate regions of the brain responsible for language. Mapping language areas is important in clinical practice. People with epilepsy may require brain surgery and it is important to understand where the language areas are in the brain to tailor surgery to avoid these regions.

Naturalistic fMRI is a new technique where participants are asked to watch a movie whilst in a scanner. Naturalistic fMRI employs audiovisual stimuli commonly encountered in daily life which aim to be more engaging and less demanding than task-based fMRI. This approach has yet been fully explored in a clinical setting.

You will receive $50 credit for any travel, parking and other expenses associated with the research project visit. For further information please email John Phamnguyen j.phamnguyen@uq.edu.au, or Elaine Kuan e.kuan@uq.net.au

Eligibility criteria:
Individuals 18 years or older
English as their primary language
Can undergo MRI scanning

Exclusion criteria:
Visual or auditory perceptual problems that prevent movie viewing or ability to complete the language paradigms
Diagnosis of a disorder affecting the central nervous system and/or history of any acquired brain injury.

Study start date: 1 March 2022

Study end date: 20 June 2022

 

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PLACE IT: Posterior lumbar anatomy concerned with epidural insertion

We are seeking male and female volunteers, 18-20 years of age, to have their lumbar spine examined non-invasively using MRI and ultrasound. We aim to update anatomical descriptions relevant to the insertion of a needle into the epidural space.

NO NEEDLES are involved in this study.

Why is this project important?

Everyone agrees that there is nothing able to deliver superior quality pain relief for pain associated with childbirth or surgery below the umbilicus than an epidural/spinal anaesthetic.

But

Doctors use knowledge from the 1920’s (almost a century old!) to guide needle placement.

And

Epidurals are more likely to take longer to place and more likely to fail in some patient groups – like the morbidly obese (a growing portion of our population).

So it’s time!

Time to study anatomy in high resolution.

Time to study anatomy using modern imaging techniques. (NO needles)

MRI scanning and ultrasound will take place at the Centre for Advanced Imaging (UQ, St Lucia campus) where free parking is available for participants.

Eligibility criteria

18 to 20 years of age, male and female
No history of back problems
Can undergo MRI scanning

For further information please email Sue Lawrence: sue.lawrence@uqconnect.edu.au. Happy to buy you a coffee to chat about participation.

 

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Machine learning in positron emission tomography

Healthy male volunteers aged over 18 years are required for a research study investigating the application of machine learning in positron emission tomography (PET) image reconstruction.

Reconstruction of PET images following a PET scan is required to provide clinically useful information for patient diagnosis, treatment planning and monitoring.

This study aims to increase the reconstruction speed and accuracy of PET-CT images using a new method based on Artificial Intelligence. In this project we aim to collect data to validate the new image reconstruction method.

Participation involves intravenous administration of a PET imaging tracer followed by a PET-CT scan.

Participation takes about 140 minutes at the Centre for Advanced Imaging (St Lucia campus), where free parking will be provided. You will receive a $50 gift voucher to compensate you for your time and travel.

For further information please contact Rajat Vashistha (E: r.vashistha@uq.net.au, M: 0466108323) or Hamed Moradi (E: h.moradi@uq.edu.au, M: 0449571691).

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