Participate in our research studies
SickKids researchers are always looking for healthy volunteers. You can make a difference to medical research by volunteering for one of our studies below:
Are you a child or adolescent who wants to help end MS?
SickKids researchers need your unique contribution!
We are looking for healthy volunteers between 0 to 18 years of age who have not had any history of demyelination.
You can choose to participate in one or all aspects of our program.
- MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging). No X-rays are used to take these medical pictures of your brain. MRI’s use radio waves to make images. We have movie goggles to help pass the time.
- OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography). This is a painless, harmless picture of the back of your eye. The test usually takes 10 minutes to perform.
- Blood Sample. We would like to collect a small sample of your blood (less than 3 tablespoons). Your body won’t miss this amount and will make new blood right away.
- Genetic Studies. We will ask you (or your parent) to answer some questions about your family history over the telephone. We will also require a small blood sample.
- Saliva Samples. This involves a gentle swab of the inside of your mouth. This does not hurt and is very easy to do. We will ask you to swab your cheek at home once a month for one year. This study also requires a small blood sample.
- Cognitive Assessment. Paper and pencil tasks that assess your thinking and learning skills. The assessment usually takes 4 hours (with breaks). You will receive a written summary describing your assessment. You may discuss the results with a Psychologist if you wish.
To find out more about our study email our healthy volunteer research coordinator carolynn.darrell@sickkids.ca or call 416-813-7654 ext. 28190
Are you at risk for heart disease and diabetes?
We are looking for volunteers ages 8-18
2 full-day visits plus overnight visit at SickKids include:
- Muscle function & fitness test
- Full body composition analysis & sleep study
- Test for diabetes & risk of heart disease
Reimbursement for lunch and parking
Detailed summary of results
40 volunteer hours and $50 Indigo gift card
For more information please contact:
Munaza Jamil at 416.813.7654 x3493 or munaza.jamil@sickkids.ca
B.R.A.I.S.T Bracing Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis
Researchers at SickKids and 26 other hospitals in North America are interested in learning more about bracing in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS). AIS is usually treated by bracing or watchful waiting. Doctors do not agree with one another which treatment is better. Therefore it is important to study these two treatments in order to determine if they are effective.
Who is eligible?
Patients who visit the Orthopaedic Clinic at SickKids and are diagnosed with Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis are approached by the study coordinator
What is involved?
There are no extra visits, you come into clinic every 6 months for your regular appointment at which point you will be asked to fill in questionnaires about your health and wellness. You will receive 3 extra X-rays over the entire 3 years of the visit. Participation can range from 1-3 years depending on where you are in your growth and how many more visits you have to the clinic.
Once you complete your study questionnaires, we will provide you with a gift card to show our appreciation.
If this sounds interesting and you would like more information...
Please contact Magdalena Lysenko 416-813-7654 x2959 or you can visit the website at http://www.uiortho.com/braist/index.htm
Click here to learn more about Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis
Children needed for brain and cognitive functioning study
SickKids researchers in the Neurology Department need your help!
We are looking for healthy children, ages six to 12, who do not have any history of demyelination, to participate in our research program.
What is involved: Magnetic Resonance Image (MRI) of the brain (no X-rays used) and cognitive testing (how you think and learn).
Purpose: We want to learn more about the brain and cognitive functioning in healthy children/adolescents compared to children/adolescents who have had demyelination.
To find out more about the study email: carolynn.darrell@sickkids.ca 416-813-7654 ext. 28190
Sound perception study
The Cochlear Implant Lab is looking for typically developing children (12 or younger) who have normal hearing.
We will measure your child's hearing and record auditory brain stem responses. All he or she has to do is lie back and listen. The testing will take two to three hours.
Compensation and volunteer hours will be provided.
Contact Julia or Claire at 416-813-6683 or email julia.ahn@sickkids.ca.
See your brain in action
The Neuroimaging Research Lab is recruiting young volunteers for brain-imaging studies. We are looking for volunteers 6-20 years old who have normal medical history to participate in MRI and MEG studies that will look at problem-solving and perception in the developing brain. Participants will get pictures of their brain, volunteer hours, a small gift – and help us learn more about how the brains of children and teenagers develop! The research is completely non-invasive and does not involve any form of radiation. If interested, or for more information, please contact Dr. Margot J. Taylor at 416-813-6321 or Vivien Tsen at 416-813-7654 ext.4299 or email vivien.tsen@sickkids.ca
Genetic basis of reading disabilities
Researchers at SickKids are investigating the genetic basis of reading disabilities and are seeking families and their children, age six to 16, who have reading problems.
What we plan to do
One full day of psycho-educational testing for the child will take place at the Hospital for Sick Children. Parents will receive a report describing their child’s test results which may be helpful in educational planning. A small blood sample is taken from parents and child.
Why we are doing the study
Abundant evidence suggests that reading and learning abilities run in families and that both genetic and environmental factors influence the predisposition to having reading disabilities. The aim of this study is to identify genes that may contribute to reading disabilities.
What you can do to help
Results from the study may improve the understanding of how and what genes are involved in reading disabilities.
For more information, contact Tasha Carter at 416-813-8207 or email tasha.carter@sickkids.ca
Thank you for your help.
Healthy children needed for epilepsy study
We are looking for volunteers to participate in a brain imaging study that will assist with research into epilepsy detection.
In order to be eligible to participate, volunteers must:
- Be between six to eighteen years oldNot be claustrophobic
- Have no known neurological conditions (including learning disabilities and brain trauma)
- Be willing to commit an hour of your time to having a brain scan (the procedure is completely painless and non-invasive)
To volunteer or for more information, please contact: Nicole Brown: (416) 813-7654 ext. 4866 or Dr. Elysa Widjaja: elysa.widjaja@sickkids.ca
Healthy children needed for emotions in music, speech and faces study
The Cochlear Implant Lab is looking for healthy participants between the ages of 7 and 16 years (with normal medical and school history) for a research project on auditory development. The study will involve judging emotions in music, speech and faces on a computer. For more information, call Dr. Talar Hopyan at 416-813-6683 or send an e-mail to talar.hopyan@sickkids.ca.
Natural History Study of the Development of Type 1 Diabetes
SickKids researchers are seeking participants to help us study the natural history of the development of Type 1 diabetes and to identify individuals at risk for developing Type 1 diabetes.
You can help with our study if you:
- have a blood relative with Type 1 diabetes .
- if your relative is a first-degree blood relative, you must be between 1 to 45 years of age
- if your relative is a second-degree blood relative, you must be between 1 to 20 years of age - do not have Type 1 diabetes yourself.
For more information or to participate, contact:
PI: Dr. Diane Wherrett
Co-ordinators:
Lesley Eisel 416-813-7654 extension 1798
Mithula Sriskandarajah 416-813-7654 extension 2634
Brenda Ahenkorah 416-813-5858