FAQs for NEMO Study Lab Visit
What is an EEG?
An electroencephalogram (EEG) is a brain imaging technique that measures the electrical impulses from your brain using a cap with attached sensors (electrodes). EEG is non-invasive and does not put any electricity in you. It is safe for all ages.
Who needs to come to the visit?
Both the participating parent and child need to attend the entire 3.5-hour visit.
What does my child do during the visit?
Your child will complete several thinking tasks designed to measure attention, problem-solving, and other thinking abilities. Most tasks will be done on a computer where the child will press a key on a button-box to indicate the correct answer. Other tasks will include handling materials at a desk. We will also record the signals coming from your child’s brain while they complete some tasks on the computer. We do this by placing a stretchy cap over your child’s head that contains many small sensors that can detect the electrical activity in different areas of the brain. Additionally, both you and your child may also complete several questionnaires. These questionnaires contain questions about behavior, emotions, and puberty.
What do I do during the visit?
You will be completing another online questionnaire for our study. This questionnaire asks more questions about your child and family, and it can take up to 1.5 hours to complete.
How should I prepare my child’s hair for the EEG testing?
It is best if your child’s hair is clean and does not have any product in it such as gels, leave-in conditioners, or temporary dye. If it is long, please let it be left loose.
What if my child is taking a stimulant medication?
If your child is taking a stimulant medication previously discussed with our staff, and requires an approved 7-day break for study purposes, please follow the directions for the stopping and starting of this medication as instructed in the accompanying email. It is most common for children to stop their prescribed medication 3 days prior to this visit and resume it 4 days after this visit. If you forget to stop the stimulant medication before the visit, we will need to reschedule the visit.
When is the lab visit scheduled?
After the initial screening, if you are considered eligible to participate, you will be asked to complete an online questionnaire. After you complete this questionnaire and are eligible for the lab visit, our staff will contact you to schedule your one-time visit.
Where are you located?
Our lab is located on the first floor of the Psychological Sciences Building on Purdue University’s main campus. Our physical address is 703 Third Street, West Lafayette IN 47907.
Where can I park?
We have a reserved parking spot right across the street from the main entrance to the Psychological Sciences Building. You can park in Spot 25 and walk through the main doors directly across from Elliot Hall of Music. Our lab is located in the hallway on the right of the main lobby. If you walk through the double doors to this hallway, our lab is in Room 1229 on the left.