Internal Attention and the Brain

Summary

This study is investigating attention-related functions and their bases in the brain. We are looking at how the brain allows us to pay attention, remember, and make decisions, in our everyday life. As part of this study, we will be looking at the brain's activity during a computer task. We will do this using scalp electroencephalography (EEG) which allows us to record electrical brain activity using a cap worn on the head. We will also be tracking people's experiences throughout the day, for a two-week period. This will be done by sending daily surveys at random times throughout the day.

The study is being conducted at the University of Calgary. We recruit people who have brain damage (affecting their ability to pay attention) as well as people who do not have brain damage, but are of the same age and sex as the first group.

Currently, we are seeking neurotypical/healthy individuals with no brain damage, in the greater than 60-years old age range.

We hope this study will help us better understand how we pay attention. We also hope it will help us better support anyone who struggles to pay attention in their daily life.

Eligibility

Currently recruiting participants: Yes

Eligible gender: Male, Female, Transgender, Other

Eligible ages: 18 to 80

Accepts healthy participants: Yes

Inclusion criteria:

You may be eligible to participate if you:
- have access to a smartphone
- are age 17 or above
- can read, write, and speak English
- have normal or corrected to normal vision (e.g., use glasses)

We are looking to recruit participants who have incurred a brain lesion as well as those who have not.

Exclusion criteria:

You will not be eligible to participate if you:
- have a chronic neurological disorder not related to brain lesions (e.g. cerebral palsy)

Participate

Fill out the following form if you want to participate in this research

Method of contact

Collection of personal information
Your personal information is collected under the authority of section 33(c) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. If you have any questions about the collection or use of this information, please visit our Access to Information page.

Additional information

Contact information

If you are interested and eligible to participate in our study, please email us internalattentionlab@ucalgary.ca, with the subject line: "Internal Attention and the Brain".

Principal investigator:

Julia Kam

Clinical trial:

No

REB-ID:

REB22-0826