Recruiting for the following projects:

Below is a short summary of our current projects. Scroll down for more information about each.

  • This study thinks about how we talk to ourselves in our head -- inner speech -- and its relationship to problem solving. A group of participants who have aphasia due to a stroke, and a group of age-similar adults without stroke, are wanted to participate. Scroll down for ads and more information. Contact Julianne Alexander, julifrye@iu.edu, if you are interested.

  • 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. Contact Dr. Stark (bcstark@iu.edu) if you are interested. The study can take place virtually over Zoom.

  • 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). You must be able to travel to Bloomington, Indiana, for a brain scan. Scroll down for more information. Email Dr. Stark at bcstark@iu.edu if you are interested.

 
 

Problem Solving in Inner Speech

Email Julianne Alexander (julifrye@iu.edu), PhD candidate, 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.

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. Data will also be collected in person, in southern Indiana and around Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

This study is a Catalyst Study funded by the National Academies of Medicine.

Brain and language study

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). You must be able to travel to Bloomington, Indiana, for a brain scan.

Please see below for the specific details:

Adults without brain injury or aphasia

    • 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.

Click here to learn more about MRI

 

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