RECRUITING STUDIES
Take part in our studies and play an integral role in helping us both understand the neurobiology of mental health conditions and how we can better improve treatment outcomes.
NEUROSCIENCE & PSYCHIATRY RESEARCH
The Neural Correlates of Minority Stress: Uncovering Systemic Oppression Related to the Intersectionality of Identity with Neuroimaging and Machine Learning
Population: Individuals who identify as a sexual minority (i.e., lesbian, gay, bisexual, and pansexual) and/or gender minority (i.e., transgender, gender non-binary, gender fluid, gender non-conforming, Two-spirit). 18 - 65 years old.
Location: Royal Ottawa Hospital (Ottawa, ON) and virtually over zoom
Study Description: Minority stress is the excess stress, discrimination, and prejudice that individuals face due to their stigmatized minority identity (i.e. related to sexual orientation, gender, race/ethnicity). In the current study, we aim to capture the lived experience of minority stress and investigate how these stressful experiences impacts the brain and body. Through this study, we hope to promote change, foster resiliency, and support those who have been psychologically injured by these experiences.
For more information on this study, please contact: Ella Bawagan - Clinical Research Coordinator for Principal Investigator, Dr. Andrew Nicholson, at ella.bawagan@theroyal.ca
Multiple Session MRI-Biofeedback for PTSD
Population: Individuals with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Location: St. Joseph's Healthcare (London, ON)
Age & Gender: 18 - 65 years old, all genders.
Study Description: This study aims to investigate how your brain responds to emotion inducing words and how you can potentially regulate this brain activity through biofeedback. Biofeedback is a technique used to control your body’s physical functions that normally occur without be aware of them. Information regarding your brain’s activity (bio) will be displayed to you in a visual format (feedback) and you will be asked to try and regulate this activity. We will be looking at the brain reactions of people with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in order to help us understand more about how these pathways work in the brain and whether self-regulation of these pathways is possible. PTSD is an anxiety disorder that may occur after a person experiences event(s) that make him or her feel extremely frightened or helpless. Symptoms may include flashbacks, nightmares and severe anxiety, as well as uncontrollable thoughts about the event(s). Examples of such events are physical/sexual assaults, automobile accidents, and military combat. This study may help us to understand and develop better psychological treatment methods for PTSD.
For more information on this study, please contact: Ella Bawagan - Clinical Research Coordinator for Principal Investigator, Dr. Andrew Nicholson, at ella.bawagan@theroyal.ca
