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About the Study

This study is enrolling adults, ages 18 to 70, who are in good physical and mental health to participate in research. The goal of this study is to create a list of pre-qualified research volunteers who would like to also participate in other studies at the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) in Bethesda, Maryland. Healthy research volunteers help scientists understand why some people are affected by mental illness while others are not.

This study has 2 parts. Part 1 is online. You will be asked to fill out forms online about your physical and mental health history. If you are a good match for our study, you will be invited to participate in Part 2. If you are not a match for our study, your participation will be complete after Part 1.

If you are eligible for Part 2, you will be invited for an in-person visit at the NIH Clinical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. During the in-person visit, you will complete:

  • Psychological assessments
  • Physical exam, blood tests, and urine tests
  • Optional brain scan (MRI) and brain magnetoencephalogram (MEG) will be scheduled at a later date

There is no cost to participate in the study. Transportation may be provided for NIH visits. Compensation of up to $410 is provided for the in-person visits and optional brain scans. Compensation is not provided for the online questionnaires. The information you provide is confidential, and you may withdraw from the study at any time for any reason.

Healthy research volunteers play a vital role in biomedical research by helping scientists advance knowledge and better understand, treat, and ultimately improve physical and mental health. To learn about our other NIMH research studies, visit: www.nimh.nih.gov/JoinAStudy

Step One: Sign up/Register for the study (get a username and password.)

Step Two: Start/Login to the online study (enter your username and password, sign consent forms, answer study questions)

Questions: Please email the study coordinator at NIMHResearchVolunteer@nih.gov.

For informational videos about clinical research click here, for an audio recording about this study click here.

For resources about mental illness click here. If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts or other mental health crisis, dial or text 988, or click here.

The Principal Investigator for this study is: Carlos Zarate, Jr. MD
NIH study number: 17-M-0181