The Development of Cognitive Functions linked to the Frontal Lobe and Gender
Differences in the Effect of COMT Genotype
We would like to invite you to participate in a study we are beginning, examining possible gender differences in the brain (in the levels of a neurotransmitter, dopamine, in a part of the brain important for reasoning and problem-solving).
The results of this research could have direct implications for patient care and for assessing academic performance. The conditions under which men do best and the medications that work best for men (such as stimulants for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) might not always be best for women, and what might work best for women may vary across the menstrual cycle.
To investigate gender differences we are looking for healthy men and women between the ages of 20-35 who are not taking any medications that might affect thinking, mental clarity, or hormone levels.
Right now we are ONLY looking for participants for an individualized preliminary screening session.
The preliminary screening session will take place on the UBC Campus, in Vancouver. It involves participants (a) wiping a cotton swab against the inside of their cheek to give us a saliva sample, (b) completing a very short test of cognitive ability, and (c) completing a brief demographic questionnaire. All that will take less than 45 minutes. You will be compensated for your time and reimbursed for all travel or parking expenses. You would be completely free to discontinue participating at any time.
Individuals who are eligible to participate in the full study, and wish to continue participating, would play computer games that require different types of reasoning and problem-solving and would give saliva samples on two more occasions. Again, you would be compensated for your time and your expenses reimbursed. Most people will only need to complete the initial screening, and each person is completely free to cease participation after the screening or at any time before, during, or after.
We invite you to contact us for more information and/or to set up an appointment for the individualized preliminary screening session. Please fill out the online registration form or contact us at:
Phone: 604-822-7404
Email: genderstudy AT devcogneuro.com (replace the AT with @ to email)
Online: Online Registration
Contacting us in no way obligates you to participate in the study. Participation in this study is completely voluntary and individuals may choose to withdraw from the study at any time.
We look forward to hearing from you!
