Note: This study is currently only recruiting patients in the hospital.

If you are interested in being notified if this study begins recruiting from the general population, please use the 'I Am Interested' button below.

Healthy Volunteers Welcome to Join Our Neuroimaging study on Autism Spectrum Disorder!

We are recruiting healthy volunteers for an MRI research study to study the brain of autistic individuals.

Massachusetts General Hospital Autism Spectrum Disorder MRI Scans
4 hours over 2 sessions
Estimated Time Commitment
Male, Female, 18-years or older
May Be Eligible
Payment up to $190
May Be Offered
Blood draw, MRI scan, Biosample (e.g., saliva, urine, or stool), Survey
May Be Required
 
I Am Interested I Am Interested I Am Interested

This project is not recruiting.

Overview

What we are studying

The Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) is conducting a study investigating the structure and function of the brain of autistic and non-autistic individuals using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We will ask participants to undergo 1 MRI brain scan.


Why it is important

More than 5 million adults in the United States are estimated to have Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Autistic individuals vary greatly in terms of symptom severity. The causes of ASD are still unknown and may be different across autistic individuals. There are currently no biomarkers found for ASD and no treatments that consistently lead to improvements in symptoms for those who would like treatment. Investigations of the structure and function of the brain in autistic individuals may lead to a better understanding of the underlying causes of ASD.


What we hope to accomplish

Through this research study, we hope to better understand the structure and function of the brain in autistic individuals using state-of-the-art neuroimaging techniques at the Martinos Center. 

Principal Investigator

Nicole Zürcher Wimmer, PhD

Massachusetts General Hospital

Public Profile

Who can participate

Participants must be without autism spectrum disorder aged 18 and above. 


Healthy Volunteers

Healthy volunteers are eligible for this study

Who cannot participate

Individuals who are pregnant or are breastfeeding cannot participate. Individuals must pass a urine drug screen to participate. Individuals with any MRI safety contraindications cannot participate.

What you may be asked to do

The study includes one screening visit and one scan visit at the MGH Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging in Charlestown. Participants will be asked to complete some surveys. One short optional training session may be scheduled if desired. The scan will last for approximately 60 minutes, but the entire scanning visit may last around 2.5 hours. In total, participation across the two visits will be approximately 4.5 hours. 


Project activities may include:

  • Blood draw
  • MRI scan
  • Biosample (e.g., saliva, urine, or stool)
  • Survey

Estimated Time Commitment

4 hours over 2 sessions

What You May Get

Eligible participants will be compensated up to $190 for their time.

Location

Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging
149 13th St, Charlestown, MA 02129

Map it!


Travel

  • Accessible by public transportation
  • Parking available
  • Parking reimbursed
  • Local travel reimbursed

Travel and Parking Details

Parking is available onsite. The Martinos Center can also be accessed via public transit subway and bus. The study covers parking and transportation costs.

Additional Information

Participating Institutions


Funding Source

  • Other
Top