Call for Volunteers

The Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute offers a range of opportunities for participating in research studies aimed at improving our understanding of the human brain. These studies, all of which are compensated, take place in the Institute's state-of-the-art facility at 2 Riverside Circle in Roanoke, Virginia. For some studies, participation is also possible in the Institute's Blacksburg facility (Building 26 of the Corporate Research Center, at 2270 Kraft Drive).

Many of these studies involve functional magnetic resonance imaging, or fMRI, a noninvasive technique that does not cause discomfort. Unlike x-rays and CT scans, fMRI does not involve exposure to any radioactive material. Visit What is fMRI? to learn more. For other details about participating in these studies, visit Frequently Asked Questions about Volunteering.

A sampling of studies appears below.

Behavioral Economic Methods for Assessing Tobacco Product Abuse Liability: Studies 1 & 2

These research projects aim to understand the potential effects of the use of different nicotine products.

• Multiple session studies

• Compensation can range from $500 to 870 in dollars and/or nicotine products

• Must be 18 years of age or older

• Must be a daily cigarette smoker

Call 540-315-0205 or email ARRC@vtc.vt.edu

Drug Valuation

This research is being conducted to understand decision-making by assessing how individuals purchase food, alcohol, nicotine, and other drugs at various prices.

• One session study (approximately 1 hour)

• Compensation for study completion is $20

• Must be 18 years of age or older

Call 540-315-0205 or email ARRC@vtc.vt.edu

Effects of Brain Stimulation (tDCS) on Resistance to Smoking

This research study looks at the effects of a non-invasive brain stimulation technique (transcranial direct current stimulation) on decision-making, working memory, and delay of smoking gratification tasks.

• 3-4 session study

• Maximum compensation of $150

• Must be a daily cigarette smoker

• Must not be dependent on any substance other than tobacco

Call 540-315-0205 or email ARRC@vtc.vt.edu

Executive Function Therapy

This research is assessing the effects of training programs for executive function skills (e.g., memory and planning) among alcohol and/or stimulant users who are in treatment.

• Multiple session studies

• Maximum compensation is $690

• Must be between 18 to 65 years of age

• Must be in treatment for alcohol and/or stimulant (cocaine and/or methamphetamine) dependence

• Treatment may include outpatient therapy/counseling, group therapy/counseling, regular AA/NA meeting attendance, etc.

Call 540-315-0205 or email ARRC@vtc.vt.edu

Functional MRI Study of Traumatic Experiences among Veterans

The Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute is currently recruiting OEF/OIF veterans for research studies. These studies use functional MRI to understand how deployment can impact the biology of the brain. Why participate? Deployment experiences can have a profound impact on the lives and well-being of the people who experience them. While the effects can be a tremendous burden both for those experiencing the difficulties and for their loved ones, little is known about the causes and treatments of deployment-related difficulties. For this study, we are interested in veterans who either have or have not experienced symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, or traumatic brain injury.

Contact Rob McNamara at vets@vtc.vt.edu or 540-526-2091

Human Neuroimaging Laboratory—General Recruitment

The Human Neuroimaging Laboratory accepts volunteers interested in being added to the general recruitment pool for a range of studies related to human cognition and decision-making.

Eligibility: Healthy adults aged 18 to 64

Primary goal: To advance human brain research through behavioral and fMRI studies

Institute sponsor: Human Neuroimaging Laboratory

Compensation: varies by study

Visit Subject Sign Up, email us at signup@vtc.vt.edu, or call 540-526-2034

International Quit & Recovery Registry

By tapping the insights and experiences of people who are in recovery from an addiction—whether to tobacco, alcohol, drugs, or a harmful behavior—the International Quit & Recovery Registry seeks to further scientific understanding of recovery and to inspire those struggling with addiction. Participation in the registry involves an online registration process, which includes a brief questionnaire about the individual's recovery process. Participants are also encouraged to share their success stories.

Visit International Quit & Recovery Registry

Intertemporal Trade-offs in the Risky Decisions of Cocaine Addicts

This research project seeks to understand, through fMRI, the decision-making processes of individuals who do and do not use cocaine.

• Two-session study involving brain imaging

• Maximum compensation is $400

• Must be 18 years of age or older

• Must be eligible for fMRI scanning

• Currently recruiting recreational cocaine users and individuals who have never used cocaine

Call 540-315-0205, email ARRC@vtc.vt.edu, or sign up online

MRI Research Study on Depression

Depression is a common condition that can be a tremendous burden both for those experiencing the difficulties and for their loved ones. If you have been feeling down for more than a week, and you notice that these feelings interfere with your social relationships or with your ability to work, sleep, or eat, then you may be suffering from depression. We study how the brain functions during depression to improve our understanding of the causes of these episodes and develop new therapies for people with clinical depression.

Email participate@vtc.vt.edu

Functional MRI Research Study on Cigarette Smoking

The Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute is conducting a brain imaging study on cigarette smokers. Eligible participants must meet the following criteria:

Current smokers, age 18-55
Smoke at least 5 cigarettes per day
Have been smoking for the past year

You will be compensated for your time. Eligible participants typically make $50 for the first session and $30 for the second session, with the potential to earn an additional $75.

We have two locations, Blacksburg and Roanoke, and scheduling is very flexible to best accommodate your schedule.

If interested, please contact Andre at 540-526-2068 or ajplate@vtc.vt.edu for more information.

Mission statement

The VTCRI will: make transformative scientific advances in understanding and addressing the fundamental processes of human health and disease; train the next generation of leading biomedical scientists; facilitate discovery-based medical education; and sustain and strengthen the Virginia Tech - Carilion partnership in order to develop one of the nation’s premiere biomedical research environments in Roanoke, Va.

Read about the VTCRI's vision and governance.