Recruiting for the following projects:

Julianne Alexander, PhD candidate, is recruiting for her dissertation! Please see ads to the left. Email julifrye@iu.edu if you are interested.

Language in Typical Aging

The purpose of this study is to identify changes in language skills with age, and in the case of experiencing some changes in your thinking and memory.

We are asking you if you want to be in this study because you are 55 years of age or older; you speak English; you live at home; you have no issues with daily activities (e.g., bathing, cooking); and you've not had a diagnosis of a neurological disorder or brain injury. You self-identified as being interested in this study.

The study is being conducted by Dr. Brielle Stark of the Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences at Indiana University Bloomington. The study can take place virtually over Zoom.

Brain and language study

We are interested in the relationship of language with thinking as well as language, thinking and the brain. We are interested in mapping change in the architecture (structure) and function of the brain and identifying how those changes relate to cognition. Specifically, we are interested in the brain’s structure-function pattern and the brain’s relationship to language ability in older adults and adults who have experienced a stroke to either their left or right hemisphere.

Who is eligible?

We are recruiting two groups of participants for this study: 1) adults (healthy, no neurological issues), or 2) adults with a left or right hemisphere stroke. All participants should be able to hear & see fairly well (with correction, i.e. glasses or hearing aids, is fine).

AS OF JUNE 2021, WE ARE RECRUITING ONLY ADULTS WITH LEFT OR RIGHT HEMISPHERE STROKE, WHO MEET THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA. THANKS TO GREAT ENTHUSIASM FROM ADULTS WITHOUT BRAIN INJURY OR APHASIA, WE ARE PAUSING DATA COLLECTION FOR THAT GROUP.

Please see below for the specific details:

Adults without brain injury or aphasia <— NOT CURRENTLY RECRUITING

    • 45-85 years of age

    • Right handed

    • Native English speaker

    • No diagnosis of neurological problems (e.g. Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s) or cognitive impairment (e.g. dementia, mild cognitive impairment)

    • Willingness to undergo cognitive-language testing (e.g. behavior tasks)

    • Ability to undergo an hour-long brain MRI session

      • No metal implants (please if you have questions!); not claustrophobic; etc.

Adults with stroke <— CURRENTLY RECRUITING

  • >40 years old

  • Right handed

  • Native English speaker

  • Have had a left or right hemisphere stroke at least 6 months ago

    • If you have a question about whether or not this fits you, please contact us

  • No other neurological problems (e.g. Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s) or cognitive impairment (e.g. dementia, mild cognitive impairment)

  • Willingness to undergo cognitive-language testing (e.g. behavior tasks)

  • Ability to undergo an hour-long brain MRI session

    • No metal implants (please if you have questions!); not claustrophobic; etc.

BENEFITS of study participation:

You will be compensated for your time ($10/hour for language and cognition assessments; $25 for the MRI scan). You will also receive a CD of your brain MRI, as well as rendered images (like the one here) created by Dr. Stark that are given to you to share with friends/family!

In addition to monetary compensation, your participation will greatly further our scientific understanding of language, thinking and the brain.

Principal investigators:

Brielle Stark, PhD - Assistant Professor in Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences, Program in Neuroscience

Rick Betzel, PhD - Assistant Professor in Department of Psychological and Behavioral Sciences, Program in Cognitive Science and Neuroscience

 

If you think you may qualify to participate in any of the studies listed below, or if you are unsure, please contact our lab email: neuralresearchlab@gmail.com.

To speak with Dr. Brielle Stark directly, please email: bcstark@iu.edu