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BSI Studies Currently Seeking Volunteers

Would you like to volunteer to participate in a study at the Brain Sciences Institute? We are always looking for a range of people to participate in various studies. The links below outline the BSI studies that are currently seeking volunteers. If you would like to participate in one of the studies or if you would like more information about one of the studies listed below, please contact the researcher listed in the links.

Some studies that will be starting in the near future include:

  • Coffee
  • Green Tea
  • Ginseng
  • Rosemary
  • Bacopa/Brahmi

    To register your interest to participate in these future studies,
    please email nutra@swin.edu.au or leave a message on 9214 4444

Current Studies

Investigation of attention and its relationship to the Autism Spectrum Quotient in a normal population

 
Investigators
Professor David Crewther and Alexandra Sutherland, Swinburne University of Technology
Brief Description:

Compared to your friends, how would you perform on the dimensions of:

  • Social Skill (Are you social in nature or do you prefer to do your own thing?)
  • Attention Switching (Distracted easily or prefer to fixate?)
  • Attention to Detail (Do you pay increased attention to detail or are you carefree when it comes to assignments?)
  • Communication (Are you a chatterbox or just happy to listen?)
  • Imagination (Is your imagination wild or conventional?)

EXPLANATION OF PROJECT
This fourth year honours university student project aims to investigate the relationship between an individuals score on the Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ) and performance on attentional tasks which involve local (processing of an objects parts) and global (processing of the whole object) attention and motion detection in a normal population. The AQ measures the degree to which an adult with normal intelligence has the traits a ssociated with the autism spectrum. The dimensions the AQ measures include social skill, attention switching, attention to detail, communication and imagination. Research has indicated that there may be a link between performance on certain attentional tasks and the extent to which an individual displays certain traits which are associated with autism. This project also aims to investigate whether there is a relationship between the AQ and electrophysiological measures of different neural streams to the area of the brain involved in vision (visual evoked potential; VEP). These streams have been related to global and local attention.

In participating in this study you will be invited to complete the Autism Spectrum Quotient online which will take no longer than 15 minutes. Depending on your score on the AQ, you may be invited to participate in a second testing session, which will involve a widely used test of intelligence and also various attentional tasks. You will also be invited to have your brain electrophysiology recorded by a non-invasive procedure, which is called electroencephalography (EEG) and involves the placement of three electrodes onto the scalp.

If at any time you do not wish to continue or wish to withdraw from the study you will be free to do so. At no time will you be placed at any risk by the experiment.

Due to certain conditions that may confound the results of this study those individuals who have been diagnosed with abnormal vision, any neurological condition, including epilepsy, or an attentional deficit need not apply.

If you are interested in participating in this experiment you can find the Autism Spectrum Quotient at http://opinio.online.swin.edu.au/s?s=4243

Contact:
Alexandra or David at dcrewther@swin.edu.au

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Research on Cognitive and Glucoregulatory Effects of Natural Substances

Brief Description:

The Brain Sciences Institute at Swinburne University of Technology is currently investigating the effectiveness of herbal extract Panax ginseng (GenseniPureTM) on cognitive function, mood and stress.

This study will examine the neurocognitive and glucoregulatory effects of Panax ginseng (GenseniPureTM) using computerised cognitive tools, blood glucose measurements; and with the possibility of utilising brain imaging techniques to further investigate its effect on cognition, mood and stress.

We are seeking people who are willing to participate in this research.

You may be eligible if:

  • You do not suffer from diabetes (hyperglycemia)
  • You do not suffer from hypoglycemia
  • You have no other health conditions that would affect food metabolism including the following: food allergies, kidney disease, liver disease and/or gastrointestinal diseases (e.g. Irritable bowel syndrome, coeliac disease, peptic ulcers)
  • You are aged 18- 40 years, and
  • You are a non-smoker
  • You are not pregnant or lactating
  • You have no history of anxiety, depression or psychiatric disorders
  • You are not taking any medication (prescription or over the counter), herbal extracts, vitamin supplements or illicit drugs

You will be receiving one of four extracts at different doses which may assist in regulating blood glucose levels and improve memory. You will also be compensated with $300 at the end of the trial.

Participation involves 5 testing sessions, one session will be a practice session which will run for 3 hours, and Subsequent sessions will run for 7 hours and will be conducted at the Brain Sciences Institute at Swinburne University (Hawthorn Campus).

If you, or someone you know may be interested in taking part in this clinical trial and would like further information, please contact Anastasia Ossoukhova at the Brain Sciences Institute.

Contact:
Anastasia Ossoukhova
Phone: 9214 5129
Email: aossoukhova@swin.edu.au

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Exploration of the Psychological Variables that Influence People's Buying Behaviours

Investigators:
Student Researcher: Fallon Arnold
Primary Supervisor: Professor Michael Kyrios
Co-Supervisor: Dr Joseph Ciorciari
Brief Description:

This online questionnaire is exploring a range of variables that have been related to buying behaviour, and specifically, the variables that distinguish between people who:

  • Do or do not self-report having problems with their buying behaviour, and;
  • Have varying levels of problematic buying behaviours

It is anticipated that a better understanding into the variables that distinguish between levels of buying severity will be gained from the findings of this study. Furthermore, results from this study may provide support for the idea that buying motivations and behaviour are ranging and diverse. This would prove valuable in moving forward with establishing specialised treatments for people who buy excessively, but are not yet at the severe level of problematic buying.

Questionnaire Link: http://opinio.online.swin.edu.au/s?s=1482

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Can chocolate improve your memory?

Brief Description:

A UK study has found that antioxidant-rich cocoa can increase blood flow to the brain, suggesting the potential of cocoa antioxidants for the treatment of vascular problems, including dementia and strokes, and maintaining cardiovascular health.

At the Brain Sciences Institute at Swinburne University, we are conducting research on the effectiveness of a dark chocolate drink on improving memory, cognition, and cardiovascular function in healthy, middle-aged people (40 to 65 years old).

We are looking for participants to take part in our 30 day clinical trial. Participation involves attending three 5 hour testing sessions in Hawthorn. Participants will also be provided with a dark chocolate drink that they must drink everyday during the trial. Participants will be compensated with $100 upon completing the study.

You may be eligible if you:

  • Are aged between 40-65 years
  • Healthy
  • Not taking any medications
  • Have no food allergies
  • Are a non-smoker

If you or someone you know are interested in taking part in this clinical trial and would like further information, please contact Karen Nolidin at the Brain Sciences Institute.

Contact:
Karen Nolidin
Phone: (03) 9214 4444 (please leave a message)
Email:nutra@swin.edu.au