Jackson Lab Research
University of Nottingham
At the University of Nottingham, we are very interested in learning more about non-invasive brain stimulation methods and motor symptoms of movement disorders such as Tourette Syndrome and Parkinson's Disease.
This webpage contains studies we are currently recruiting for in neurotypical populations.
To visit our webpages for our research in movement disorders, please select from the following links:
Tourette Syndrome and tic disorders
Parkinson's disease - tbc
Current research open for recruitment
To find out more about the research techniques we use, please navigate to the Research Techniques tab
Answers to frequently asked questions can be found in our FAQ section
If you have any further questions, please email caitlin.smith1@nottingham.ac.uk
Investigating interhemispheric interactions using TMS
In the first session of this study we will use TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation) to induce small, brief movements in your hands. We will do this while you have your hands relaxed and while you perform a simple computer reaction time task. This session will last 2-3 hours. The second session of the study involves a short MRI scan. There is no task, you just lie in the scanner and we will take structural images of your brain. We can send these pictures after the study. This session lasts 45 minutes in total.
To find out more and take part, please contact: Isabel Farr (isabel.farr1@nottingham.ac.uk) or fill in this form
Investigating short afferent inhibition in healthy ageing
In this study, we use TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation) to induce small, brief movements in your hand. We also use MNS (Median nerve stimulation) which is low intensity electrical stimulation applied to your wrist, which might make your thumb or finger move slightly. We apply TMS and MNS at the same time and record the effects of these types of stimulation using EEG (Electroencephalography). EEG involves having a cap on your head and some gel on your hair. You will be asked to keep your hands relaxed throughout the study and there are some very short tasks which assess motor skills and memory. The study involves one session and usually lasts 3 hours.
To find out more and take part, please contact: Isabel Farr (isabel.farr1@nottingham.ac.uk) or fill in this form
Investigating combined tACS-MNS on corticospinal excitability and inhibition
This study involves using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and median nerve stimulation (MNS) to measure the effects of repetitive MNS and transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) to the motor cortex either alone, or combined.
This study takes up to 1.5 hours and comes with an inconvenience allowance.
Requirements: Right-handed, no history of epilepsy, no implanted electronic devices
Age range: 18+
To find out more and take part, please contact: Caitlin Smith (caitlin.smith1@nottingham.ac.uk) or fill in this form
Investigating combined tACS-TMS on corticospinal excitability
A study involving transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to investigate the effects of repetitive TMS and transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) either alone, or combined.
This study takes up to 1.5 hours and comes with an inconvenience allowance.
Requirements: Right-handed, no history of epilepsy, no implanted electronic devices
Age range: 18+
To find out more and take part, please contact: Caitlin Smith (caitlin.smith1@nottingham.ac.uk) or fill in this form
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Frequency Impact - a TMS and tACS study
A two-part research study examining the role of different stimulation frequencies on cortical inhibition using TMS and tACS. These two sessions will be at least 3 days and at most 7 days apart
Each session takes up to 3 hours and comes with an inconvenience allowance.
Requirements: Right-handed, no history of epilepsy, no implanted electronic devices
Age range: 18+
To find out more and take part, please contact: Aneta Dvorakova (aneta.dvorakova@nottingham.ac.uk) or fill in this form
Repetitive median nerve stimulation on cortical inhibition
In this study we are investigating the effects of rhythmic 10Hz median nerve stimulation (MNS) on the brains ability to inhibit responses. We will assess this using a safe non-invasive technique called transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). Specifically, we are using a TMS technique called short-interval intracortical inhibition (SICI) which gives us an indication of the brains inhibitory functioning within the motor cortex (the part of the brain which controls movement). We will first set up the MNS finding your threshold (a visible thumb twitch) and then using TMS we will locate the specific areas of your brain which control movement of the same hand the MNS is applied to. The experiment will contain 7 blocks alternating between SICI alone and combining MNS with SICI within the same block. This study will take up to 2 hours and comes with an inconvenience allowance.
Requirements: Right-handed, no history of epilepsy, no implanted electronic devices. We are recruiting those who have not had MNS before.
Age range: 18+
To find out more and take part, please contact: James Kennaway (james.kennaway@nottingham.ac.uk) or fill in this form
Repetitive median nerve stimulation and OPM-MEG
In this study we will assess the variability of 'noise' in the motor system using optically pumped magnetometers (OPM) magnetoencephalography (MEG) to measure your brains responses to median nerve stimulation (MNS) on the wrist. MNS sends electrical pulses from the wrist to the brain which we can use to measure noise levels. We will stimulate your wrist with single pulses 75 times before 10 minutes of constant stimulation and then repeat the 75 pulses again after 10 to see the effects of MNS on noise reduction. Wrist stimulation is not painful, but if you find the procedure uncomfortable we will terminate the study immediately. Up to 1 hour and comes with an inconvenience allowance.
Requirements: Right-handed, no history of epilepsy, no implanted electronic devices. We are recruiting those who have not had MNS before.
Age range: 18+
To find out more and take part, please contact: James Kennaway (james.kennaway@nottingham.ac.uk) or fill in this form
FAQ
Helping with Research
If you have any further questions, please email caitlin.smith1@nottingham.ac.uk
How do 'inconvenience allowances' work?
An inconvenience allowance is a small financial allowance for taking part in the studies. Usually this takes the form of a cash payment when you come to Nottingham. The amounts can vary between different studies, but you should be told exactly what this is before signing up
What happens to the findings of the studies once they are finished?
Once we have finished collecting all the data and analysing it, we write the studies up to be published in scientific journals. Sometimes these are free for everyone to see, but occasionally there may be a charge to access them. If this happens, the best thing to do is give us an email so we can send you a copy. We may also present the findings at scientific conferences and meetings.
Can people find out if you took part in the research?
Whenever you take part in one of our studies you will be given an ID number, so your name and other personal details will not be able to be connected to you.
What happens if you don't like it?
If you come in for a study, you can stop any time, for any reason!