Would you like to participate in one of our studies?

We are looking for participants from ages 18 and up and from all different kinds of backgrounds to participate in our memory and cognition studies. We conduct two different types of studies. In the first type, you come into the laboratory and participate in simple tasks on a computer. In the second type, you will have to travel to an MRI facility and lay in an MRI scanner while participating in similar computer tasks. Both types of studies are safe and we offer compensation for each. If you would like to see if you qualify, please fill out the form below and we will contact you and ask you a few questions.

Current Projects

Study 1: Understanding Memory Across Ages

Note: This study is no longer seeking young adults (ages 18-35), but is seeking older adults (ages 60+).

  • PURPOSE: To understand how people gain insight into their own memory. This knowledge will help improve educational outcomes by improving awareness of our learning as well as improve our understanding of how aging modifies this process.
  • ELIGIBILITY: Adults 18 and older who are right-handed (due to differences in brain activity patterns), have normal or corrected-to-normal vision, and who have none of the following: history of neurological disease or brain damage, history of drug or substance abuse, uncontrollable shaking, or conditions that contra-indicate MRI scanning, including having metallic objects in the body, having claustrophobia, and being pregnant.
  • TASK: One visit will require brief cognitive tests and the completion of a survey. The second visit will include an MRI scan, during which you will either be at rest or performing memory prediction and mathematical tests.
  • LOCATIONS: Binghamton University’s campus and the UHS Vestal MRI Center.
  • TIME: This study consists of 2 sessions, lasting about 3 hours in total: the first session will be about 1 hour long, while the second session will be about 2 hours long.
  • COMPENSATION: Members of the community will receive $20 per hour for participating in this study. Students from the Binghamton University SONA psychology pool will receive 1 research credit per hour for participating.
  • HOW TO SIGN UP: Fill out your information below and someone will be in contact with you soon!

A video overview of our metamemory study. Link: https://youtu.be/AkPcWNNSRdk?si=8362r2SriagA81Tv

Study 2: Gut and Brain Health

There are 2 options for participating in this study, with the activities required, location(s), and time commitment varying depending on the option chosen. When we get in touch with you, one of our lab members can discuss the options with you to decide which best fits your interest.

  • PURPOSE: To better understand how a person’s gut microbiome influences their brain health and cognitive performance. Knowledge from this study will help us understand how gut microbial health influences brain activity and cognition, as well as how this relationship changes with age. This information can also be used to improve public health policies and recommendations by informing how individuals’ environments influence brain aging and dementia risk.
  • ELIGIBILITY: Adults 18 and older who are right-handed (due to differences in brain activity patterns), have normal or corrected-to-normal vision, and who have none of the following: history of neurological disease or brain damage, history of drug or substance abuse, uncontrollable shaking, or unremovable hair extensions/wig (which would prevent access to the scalp). In some cases, participants must not have any conditions that contra-indicate MRI scanning, including having metallic objects in the body, having claustrophobia, and being pregnant.
  • TASK: Two visits will be required, with specific tasks at each visit determined by the study option chosen. Generally, the study will include the completion of a survey, cognitive tasks, and a memory task. You will also be requested to collect a stool sample at home and return it at your second visit. Measurements of brain function and/or structure will be taken with an MRI scan, a cap that shines light on your head to measure blood flow, or both technologies. Both MRI scans and the measurements taken by the cap are safe, noninvasive, and painless.
  • LOCATIONS: Binghamton University campus. Some cases will also include a visit to the UHS Vestal MRI Center.
  • TIME: All options for this study consist of 2 sessions, lasting 3.5-4 hours in total.
  • COMPENSATION: Members of the community will receive $20 per hour for participating in this study. Students from the Binghamton University SONA psychology pool will receive 1 research credit per hour for participating.
  • HOW TO SIGN UP: Fill out your information below and someone will be in contact with you soon!

Study 3: Neural Correlates of Dementia Family History

  • PURPOSE: To better understand how brain activity and brain structure are altered in people with a family history of dementia like Alzheimer’s disease. Knowledge from this study will help us understand metamemory declines in people at risk for Alzheimer’s disease versus normative aging.
  • ELIGIBILITY: Adults 18-35 who have a parent diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease OR multiple family members diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, have normal or corrected-to-normal vision, and who have none of the following: history of neurological disease, severe traumatic brain injury, stroke, drug or substance abuse, uncontrollable shaking, claustrophobia, or any conditions that would contra-indicate MRI such as having foreign metallic objects in the body, and being pregnant.
  • TASK: During the session, you will be asked to lie still in an MRI scanner at UHS Hospital for 40 minutes. In the MRI, you will rest with your eyes open for part of the time and rest with your eyes closed for part of the time. You will also be asked to fill out a survey. The survey will gather information about yourself, including a health history and perceptions on aging.
  • LOCATION: UHS Vestal MRI Center
  • TIME: This study consists of 1 session, lasting about 1.5 hours.
  • COMPENSATION: Members of the community will receive $20 per hour for participating in this study. Students from the Binghamton University SONA psychology pool will receive 1 research credit per hour for participating.
  • HOW TO SIGN UP: Fill out your information below and someone will be in contact with you soon!
Please fill out the information below with your preferred method of contact.
* Indicates required field
Name
(Please indicate which study you are interested in participating for, if applicable.)

If you would like to explore similar studies or the above form did not work, please look at those listed under the

Aging Research Group at Binghamton University

Location of the lab

The Memory and Cognitive Control Research Laboratory is located on the Binghamton University campus, in Science 4 Room 121.

If you enter campus from the main entrance, use the first exit on the traffic circle to go right. Then, the parking lot for Science 4 will be the first left you come to. There is a designated space at the top of the lot (on the right, along the sidewalk) where you can park free of charge. Science 4 is the building immediately next to the parking lot (there are brains painted in the windows). We will meet you at the designated Psychology Department parking spot, located at the top of the lot.

If you have any questions, please call (607)444-2864.

A Google Maps overhead of the entrance of campus. Directions to the lab can be provided.

Our building, Science 4, is marked by the red bubble.

A picture of the front of the Science 4 building, where our lab is located.

The front entrance of Science 4. The designated parking spot is located just outside of the right edge of this picture.

If you have additional questions about participating in our studies, you can contact us with the form above, by emailing mac2research@binghamton.edu, or by calling (607)444-2864.