Contact the study team:

  1. Email: McLeanDecisionMakingStudy@partners.org

  2. Phone Number: 617-855-4080

Eating and Decision-Making Behavior
Study

Researchers at McLean Hospital are interested in how the brain functions during decision making in young women. Join our compensated study today!

Fast Facts

BMI 35-40 kg/m2

Do not have diabetes or severe medical disease

no binge eating disorder or other eating disorders

31-40 year old females

Compensation Provided

Conducted in Belmont, MA

Study Background

Researchers at McLean Hospital in Belmont, MA are conducting a research study to explore decision making in young women.

Findings will help researchers learn more about brain activity during everyday decision making and how it relates to certain daily experiences, including stressful experiences. Participants will be asked to answer a large number of questions about their medical, psychiatric, and personal history and asked to do a variety of tasks that include everyday decision making. Participants will also be asked to get multiple MRI scans of their brain and body.

Support research today and join our compensated study!

Additional Information

The purpose of this clinical research study is to increase our understanding of decision making in women

You may qualify for this study if you meet the following criteria.

Key Criteria:

  • 31-40 year old females
  • No lifetime or current psychiatric or substance use disorders
  • No binge eating disorder or other eating disorders
  • Body mass index 35-40 kg/m2
  • Normal or corrected to normal vision and hearing
  • Fluent in written and spoken English
  • Right-Handed
  • No extreme dietary limitations (e.g., veganism)
  • No food allergies that substantially restrict the range of foods that can be consumed
  • No metallic implants or devices, including metal braces
  • No diabetes or other severe medical diseases

Once enrolled, this study involves up to two visits:

  • Completing Study Visit 1
    • Takes place virtually, but can be done in person if you don’t have a computer or good internet connection.
    • Lasts 5 or more hours, excluding breaks.
  • Attending Study Visit 2
    • Takes place primarily at McLean Hospital (however, you will be asked to do one of the visit tasks, which can be done virtually, a day or more ahead of time)
    • Scheduled on a Saturday or a Sunday and lasts about 12 hours, although this includes time to eat, and long breaks, and the task which you might do ahead of time.
  • Participants will be asked to answer questions about their medical and psychiatric history and do a variety of tasks including everyday decision making. These tasks involve viewing and rating a large number of food pictures. Additionally, they will be asked to get multiple MRI scans of their brain and body.

Compensation is provided up to $425 for your time.

There is no cost for you to participate in the study.