Brain Health Study participant information
Make a big difference to brain health research
You have been invited to take part in our Brain Health Study because you completed our brain health survey and your answers show that you are eligible.
You will be helping scientists better understand a range of brain-related diseases such as dementia and Parkinson’s disease, improving diagnoses and care for future generations. Thank you.
Taking part is entirely voluntary. It will not affect your ongoing relationship with UK Biobank if you decide not to take part.
What is involved?
Taking part in the study will involve coming to our research centre in Stockport on a day that suits you. We can arrange and pay for door-to-door transport for you and your Study Partner if needed.
Find out more about our travel expenses policy.
At the research centre
At the research centre, a friendly member of our team will guide you through every step of the visit and answer any questions you may have.
The visit will last approximately two to three hours and cover several tests and assessments:
Read our information sheet on what to expect during the brain MRI scan.
Watch our YouTube video of what to expect from the brain MRI scan at your visit
Preparing for your visit
Here are some things to think about in advance of your visit:
- Bring your letter and the directions to the centre with you.
- Bring the name and address of your GP.
- Complete the pre-imaging visit questionnaire we sent you (and your Study Partner) and bring it with you.
- Bring any glasses that you may need for both long and short distances.
- If you wear hard contact lenses, please bring a pot and solution to store them as we will ask you to remove these during your MRI scan. Soft, non-tinted contact lenses can be worn during the MRI scan.
- Do not wear heavy make-up. You will be asked to remove this before having the MRI scan.
- Remove any jewellery that can be easily removed. You may be able to wear jewellery made from a precious metal if you cannot remove it, for example a gold wedding ring.
- Please ensure that your underwear does not contain metal fastenings or jewels.
- Wear clothing that you can change in and out of easily. A small locker will be provided for your clothing and personal items. We ask that you bring minimal belongings with you.
- Consider bringing thick socks or slippers to keep your feet warm, as you will need to remove your footwear for the MRI scan. We can provide disposable slippers.
- Do not attend your visit if you have an infection which might affect or be transmitted to those around you, for example a respiratory infection (such as COVID-19 or a cold), influenza or shingles.
Study Partner information
We would like to invite a person who knows you well to come along to the assessment visit with you. This could be a spouse/partner, relative or friend but they must be over 18 years of age.
With your permission, this person would take part as a ‘Study Partner’ and answer some questions about your brain health and daily living.
However, if you cannot choose a Study Partner and are willing and able to come to a research centre visit on your own, this is ok.
Brain Health Study - Study Partner information sheet [pdf]
For more information on how UK Biobank collects shares and uses the personal information which you provide to us as a Study Partner, see our Study Partner privacy notice.
Book your appointment
Contact our team today
Ready to book your appointment? Contact our team who will be happy to help organise your visit.
If you still have questions which are not answered by our Brain Health Study participant information sheet [pdf] or the information above, please get in touch.
Telephone:
0800 0 276 276
Email:
ukbiobank@ukbiobank.ac.uk
Contact hours:
Monday to Friday, 09:00-17:00
Request a call back
If you would prefer us to contact you, please fill in our request a call back form and we will call you at your preferred time.
Keeping your data private and secure
We know that information about your health and lifestyle is personal and private to you, and we made a commitment when you joined the study to protect your confidentiality. Information that identifies you – for example, your name, address, and NHS number – is never shared with researchers.
We take our commitment to protecting your data, including data from your brain MRI scan, very seriously. We continue to invest in the latest technology to keep us ahead of the curve.
Help us stay in touch
So that we can let you know about all UK Biobank’s latest news and new research opportunities, please log in to the participant website to check your contact details are up to date at any time.
If you have any questions related to the brain health study, you can call the Participant Resource Centre on 0800 0 276 276 or email ukbiobank@ukbiobank.ac.uk.
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