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Frequently Asked Questions

Part 1 / Online Study questionnaire

What if I lose my username?

Email us.

How do I answer the questions?

Just click on the questionnaire names to get started.

  • The names of all the questionnaires will be displayed on the screen. You can see which ones you have finished, which ones are in progress and which ones remain to be done. You may answer the questionnaires in any order.
  • The questionnaires have different types of questions for which you will be asked to provide answers. Follow the instructions for each questionnaire. If you have questions or concerns, feel free to let us know.

How do I save my answers?

Click "I'm Finished : Save". If you skipped or missed a question, the computer will prompt you to answer that question. Once the completed questionnaire has been saved, you cannot go back to it.

What if I make a mistake?

There are no right and wrong answers in this study. If you click on a response that you did not intend, simply click on the answer you meant to give. Some questions will accept multiple choices. In that case, click again on the unintended response to "undo" it.

Are my answers confidential?

The NIH takes confidentiality of participants very seriously. Your answers are confidential to the extent possible under the law.

What happens after I complete the online surveys?

Study staff will review the responses and may call you to clarify responses or ask additional questions. If you are eligible to participate in the next phase of the study and are in the Washington, D.C. metro area, you will be contacted for a clinical assessment.

Part 2, In-Person Study Visits, by invitation after completing the online portion in Part 1

What will happen during the in-person clinical assessment?

The outpatient visit will last around 3 hours at the NIH Clinical Center in Bethesda, MD. The visit will include a psychological assessment, rating scales about mood, a family history of mental health, a physical exam, and blood and urine tests. Following the clinical assessment, you could elect to have an optional brain scan (MRI) and/or an optional MEG. Either procedure will take about 2 hours. Participation is voluntary. You can opt-out of the study at any time.

Do the optional MRI and optional MEG occur during the in-person clinical assessment?

The optional MRI and MEG scans are scheduled on a different day from the in-person assessment. We will schedule these optional procedures after you come in for your in-person clinical assessment.

Where is the clinical assessment visit conducted?

The clinical assessment visit is conducted at the NIH Clinical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, on the NIH campus: 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, Maryland. The NIH Clinical Center is accessible via public transportation (bus and Metro), and parking is available onsite. Visitor information can be found here: https://www.nih.gov/about-nih/visitor-information. Additional travel information will be provided after scheduling your in-person appointment. Some components of the assessment may be conducted via telehealth appointment.

What does it cost to participate?

The study is free and study procedures are provided at no cost. Transportation may be provided.

Compensation of up to $410 is provided for the in-person visits and optional brain scans. Compensation is not provided for the online questionnaires.

Is the study confidential?

Yes, all of your questionnaire responses, data, and samples will be kept confidential and secure. The data and samples collected for this study will be coded and all personal identifiable information about you will be kept separate.

Can I participate in other NIMH studies?

Yes, you can participate in other NIMH studies. A list of research studies for healthy volunteers can be found here: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/labs-at-nimh/join-a-study/adults/adults-healthy-volunteers.shtml. If you meet our study requirements, we may also give your information to other researchers at NIMH who may contact you directly to see if you want to participate in studies. You don't have to participate in any other study, and you may withdraw from a study at any time.

Please Contact Us if you have any questions or concerns. For questions about this study, please email the study coordinator at NIMHResearchVolunteer@nih.gov.

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