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:
Children needed for brain and cognitive functioning study
Looking for something unique to do this March Break?
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.
Healthy volunteers needed for research study in sickle cell disease
Researchers at SickKids are interested in learning more about pain problems that children with sickle cell disease develop. For this we need to understand the behaviours, emotions and attitudes about pain in healthy children.
Who are we looking for?
Healthy African-Canadian adolescents aged 10 - 18 years.
What is involved?
Participation involves completing three short questionnaires and skin sensitivity testing.
How long will it take?
It takes less than two hours.
Compensation will be provided as well as credit for volunteer hours.
If this sounds interesting and you would like more information...
Please contact Ms. Erika Kewley: 416-813-7654 ext. 2373, or Dr. James O’Leary: james.oleary@sickkids.ca
Thank You.
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 Laura Hopf at 416-813-7654 ext.4299 or email laura.hopf@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