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.

Watch movies for a brain mapping study!

This study aims to develop a database of movie clips to be used as stimuli in fMRI brain mapping of language and emotion networks.

Brigham and Women's Hospital McLean Hospital Speech and Communication Disorders MRI Scans
3 hours over 2 sessions
Estimated Time Commitment
Male, Transgender Male, Intersex, Nonbinary, 18-60 years
May Be Eligible
Payment up to $50
May Be Offered
Survey
May Be Required
 
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This project is not recruiting.

Overview

What we are studying

A new approach to functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) involves the use of movie clips as naturalistic stimuli. These movie clips mimic real-life experiences, which engage brain networks that can be mapped in the MRI scanner as if the subject is interacting with the real-world environment. Compared to other fMRI procedures, such as resting state or task completion, movie-watching limits mind wandering and head motion, while presenting a richer and more naturalistic stimulus. 


Why it is important

Currently, there are no standardized databases of movie clip stimuli for probing language function and mapping brain language networks. Comprehensive brain mapping is especially valuable prior to undergoing brain surgery, as the surgeon can have a thorough visualization of the language and emotion regions of the brain and use this map to minimize postsurgical deficits. 


What we hope to accomplish

The outcome of the study will be used to develop a technique for identifying language and emotion areas in the brain of patients who need to undergo brain surgery. 

Principal Investigator

Yanmei Tie, PhD

Brigham and Women's Hospital

Public Profile

Who can participate

Healthy subjects who are fluent in English will be recruited for assessment of the movie clips. Subjects must also have:



  • No history of neurological, cognitive, or psychiatric disorders

  • No speech, hearing, or vision deficits

Who cannot participate

Subjects may not participate if they have any of the following:



  • History of neurologic illness

  • History of substance abuse disorders

  • Developmental learning, attentional, or communication disorder

  • History of psychiatric illness

  • Uncorrected hearing or vision disability

  • Current use of psychoactive or vasoactive medications.

What you may be asked to do

Participants in this study will be asked to rate their emotional response to several movie clips, as well as answer several comprehension questions.


Project activities may include:

  • Survey

Estimated Time Commitment

3 hours over 2 sessions

What You May Get

Participants will receive $25 for each study visit, for a total of $50 if you attend both study visits.

Location


Travel

  • No travel required

Travel and Parking Details

Additional Information

Participating Institutions


Funding Source

  • Department
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