Make a big difference to brain health research
You’ve been invited to join our Brain Health Study because your brain health survey answers, past UK Biobank questionnaires (in clinic) or information in your medical records suggest you may be eligible to take part.
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 on a day that suits you. We can arrange door-to-door transport if needed. Find out more about our 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:
Memory tests and questionnaires
Looking at which types of task you are good at and which are more challenging (approximately 30 minutes).
Smell test
Testing the sensory part of your brain with a scratch and sniff test (15 minutes).
Keyboard tapping task
Looking at reaction speed, precision and consistency (5 minutes).
Blood sample
Looking for markers in the blood that indicate different diseases (approximately 10 minutes).
Test of your eye sight
Testing for the causes of sight loss (8 minutes).
Take home device
Measuring how well you sleep or how active you are in daily life and your heart rhythm (7 days).
Brain MRI scan
Looking for changes in brain structure and how it is connected (40 minutes).
Read our information sheet on what to expect during the brain MRI scan.
Preparing for 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 MRI safety questionnaire we sent you and bring it with you. If you are bringing a companion with you, ask them to complete the MRI Safety Questionnaire for Companions we sent you 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.
- Think about whether you might need support getting to the research centre, getting around the research centre or remembering your medical history. If so, we recommend that you bring a companion – such as a close friend or relative – with you.
Participant help page
Find out more about taking part in our Brain Health Study pilot.
Study Partner information
If you can, we would like you to nominate a Study Partner who, with your permission, would help answer some questions about your brain health and daily living.
A Study Partner could be a spouse/partner, relative or friend but must be over 18 years of age. This person might be someone who accompanies you to the research centre but if they don’t attend with you, they can also fill out the Study Partner questionnaire from home.
We will discuss this with you and provide you with more information at your visit.
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.
Where is the research centre?
Our brain health research centre is at our imaging centre in Newcastle upon Tyne.
Newcastle Imaging Centre
Unit 2
Hawick Crescent Trading Estate
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE6 1AS
What you can and can’t claim for when attending your Brain Health Study visit.
Book your appointment
Contact our team today
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 [email protected].
Ready to book your appointment? Contact our team who will be happy to help organise your visit.
Telephone:
0800 0 276 276
Email:
[email protected]
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.