Typically, study procedures are completed over five weeks; however, the length of time needed to complete the study will depend both on the participant’s schedule and the availability of brain imaging slots at our PET and MRI centers.

First, you will speak to a research coordinator by phone to determine if you meet preliminary eligibility criteria for the study. If it appears that you are eligible to participate, you will be scheduled to come in for an in-person screening where you will meet with several members of our research team to complete a thorough psychiatric assessment. If entry criteria are met, and you are interested in participating, you will be asked to enroll in the study by signing a consent form after all the research procedures and any associated risks are described to you. You will be given a copy of the consent forms to take home. This study is approved by the New York State Psychiatric Institute Institutional Review Board (IRB).

Study procedures are scheduled to be completed over a series of 3-4 appointments. During the first appointment, you will begin some of the clinical assessments and complete the stress test. Typically, the second visit will include the MRI and some additional clinical assessments. At the third visit, you will be scheduled for a PET scan and also be asked to complete some additional clinical assessments. If all study procedures cannot be completed on a given day, you may be asked to come in on a separate date to complete the remaining procedures.

If you’d like to volunteer as a study participant, please contact our research coordinator at 646-774-7561.

The stress test involves the completion of two mildly stressful social tasks. During these tasks, we will be monitoring your heart rate and will be collecting salivary cortisol samples to measure how your body reacts to stress. It does not require you to pass/fail anything.

Yes, we give participants the opportunity to lie down in a mock MRI scanner in order to experience what will happen on your scan day. While there is no mock PET scanner available, participants are able to go to the PET suite and see the actual scanner prior to the procedure.

Yes, completing the MRI requires that all metal piercings be removed as well as any accessories/clothing that contains metal.

As part of your initial screen, we will complete a physical to ensure that you are physically healthy enough to participate in the PET scan. The exposure to radiation in each PET scan is only a bit more than what you would receive in one year from natural background sources.

Yes, we ask that participants eat a hearty breakfast and bring a lunch with them to eat during their break. Do not take any medication, including over the counter medication, before speaking to us.

Upon request we will send you your MRI results. While the results of the brain scans will not help inform your treatment, it is our hope that study findings will help us to identify predictors of suicidal behavior in the future.

While the study’s findings will not help explain individual cases of suicidal behavior, we hope that study findings will provide insight about suicide risk factors and guide research that will help with suicide prevention in the future.

Research participants are compensated up to $475 for their participation in study procedures.

Participants will receive compensation upon completion of all study procedures. Payment is by check and is mailed 4-6 weeks after study completion.