The Brain Charity

Help researchers learn more about your neurological condition

Every day, scientists and researchers work hard to understand more about neurological conditions.

To do this, they sometimes need help from people who have lived with these conditions themselves.

At The Brain Charity, we’re often contacted by research teams who are looking for volunteers to take part in their studies. These studies can help create better treatments, improve support and make life easier for people in the future.

If you have experience of any of the conditions listed below and would like to help, you can get involved by contacting the researchers directly using the details provided.

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Bell’s palsy

Exploring how physiotherapy influences a patients’ physical, emotional and social wellbeing during their rehabilitation journey of Bell’s palsy.

Participants of this study must meet the following:

• Adults (18+)
• Have a previous or current diagnosis of Bell’s palsy
• Received physiotherapy during their recovery
• Be able to comprehend and read English
• Provide informed consent to participate

Exclusion criteria include:

• Exclusion criteria include:
• Facial paralysis due to central neurological causes
• Severe cognitive impairment
• Other neurological conditions which significantly affect facial function
• Severe mental health conditions

Participants will be asked to complete one online questionnaire taking approx. 20 minutes

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Mental health

This is a patient and public involvement (PPIE) opportunity, not participation in a clinical research study.

Individuals will be asked to share their views and experiences to help shape early-stage research and design planning around implantable neuromodulation technologies for treatment-resistant psychiatric disorders. No treatment, clinical procedures, or personal health data collection is involved.

The team is exploring views on future implantable technologies that could help predict and prevent relapse in treatment-resistant psychiatric conditions (such as severe mood or anxiety disorders). Findings will inform future research and responsible innovation.

Participants should be over the age of 18 with lived experience of mental health conditions, carers, clinicians, and members of the public to understand acceptability, concerns, and ethical considerations.

To take part, please complete this anonymous online survey.

Completion enters participants into a raffle draw for a £25 voucher.

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Tic disorders

Many people with tics describe a feeling that builds up beforehand, sometimes called the “tic signal.” It can feel like pressure, tension, or an intense need to tic to get relief.

Researchers at the University of Oxford are looking at how this “tic signal” is experienced by young people with chronic tic disorders, and whether it feels different for those who also have autism.

This research could help improve understanding of tics and shape better support in the future.

Who can take part?
Young people aged 11 to 17 years who have a diagnosis of a chronic tic disorder such as Tourette syndrome and a parent/caregiver, both of whom are happy to take part. Young people do not need a diagnosis of autism to take part.

What does it involve?
A short set of online questions for a parent or carer and the young person. It takes around 10 minutes to complete.
Follow this link to take part in the survey: https://psychiatryoxford.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_72LKvE7SQkJoRxA

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Rare genetic syndromes

The main focus of the research is to decipher profiles and patterns of repetitive behaviours in infants (aged 6-12 months) with rare genetic syndromes, in comparison to infants with no diagnosed rare genetic syndrome. These behaviours will be investigated in conjunction with sensory profiles to try and ascertain any potential mechanistic link biologically.

There are two aspects to the project, a completely remote 10-day behavioural assessment from the child’s own home (parents will upload information on an app), and the other involves an in-person neuroimaging assessment on the University of Birmingham campus. This will be booked for 1.5 hrs to allow for comfort breaks; however, the actual tasks will take no longer than 25 minutes.

Parents/caregivers can take part in either study, or both if they would like to, however there is absolutely no obligation to take part in both aspects. Participants will be reimbursed £25.

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Catheter users

Researchers are inviting adults who use intermittent self-catheterisation to take part in a study exploring experiences of a digital Emotional Wellbeing Programme.

The aim of the study is to understand how this programme fits into daily life, how it affects emotional wellbeing, and what people find helpful or challenging about using it.

Participants will first complete an online consent form and a short questionnaire about themselves.

Participants will then be given access to the Emotional Wellbeing Programme, which can be used at their own pace over around 8-14 weeks using a smartphone, tablet, or computer. This programme involves 10 modules, including focus on socialising, fears and pain, intimacy, movement and confidence.

Participants will receive a brief online introduction to the programme and a short check-in partway through.

After completing the programme, participants will be invited to take part in a one-to-one interview about their experiences of using the programme with a member of the research team. The interview will last around 45-60 minutes and will take place online or by phone, depending on participant preference.

Taking part is entirely voluntary, and you can withdraw at any time. The findings will help improve future emotional wellbeing support for people who self-catheterise.

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Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC)

The main focus of this research is to understand the experiences of children with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) in education in the United Kingdom, alongside the resources available to educational professionals who support them. The study aims to capture both professional perspectives and children’s own views of what they enjoy most about school and what they find most challenging.

There are two aspects to the project. Educational professionals will take part in a one-hour online interview and complete short online questionnaires. Children aged 6–11 years with a diagnosis of TSC will take part in a face-to-face or online session with the research team, using a show-and-tell approach to share their favourite and most challenging aspects of school. Parents will be asked to complete a series of online questionnaires. Total participation time is up to 1.5 hours for professionals and up to 2 hours for children and families.

Educational professionals who have supported a pupil with TSC for at least one school term are eligible to take part. Children must be aged 6–11 years, have a diagnosis of TSC, and be enrolled in education in the UK (mainstream, SEND provision, or home education). Participants will receive a thank-you e-voucher (£20 for educational professionals and £25 for children and families). Participation can take place remotely or face to face.

Contact: Cheyenne Contreras, King’s College London, cheyenne.contreras@kcl.ac.uk, Closing date: January 2027

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Angling for mental wellbeing in PTSD

This research aims to explore whether learning to fish in a natural, social setting can improve mental health and wellbeing for adults with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The intervention focuses on building resilience and supporting recovery through small-group angling experiences in a tranquil, rural environment.

Participants of this study must meet the following:

• Adults (18+)
• Military veterans, emergency service personnel (police, ambulance, fire, coastguard, prison staff, search and rescue), or train/tube drivers
• Score above a threshold for PTSD on a screening questionnaire
• Provide informed consent to participate

Exclusion criteria include:

• Individuals who do not meet the PTSD threshold
• Individuals unable to participate in a 2-day, 1-night rural trip
• Severe physical or mental health conditions that would prevent participation

Participants will be invited to a 2-day / 1-night fishing trip in rural Essex, with all equipment, accommodation, and meals provided. Participants will complete three online questionnaires (~20 minutes each) before and after attending the trip.

Contact: Dr Nicholas Cooper, University of Essex, anglingforgood@essex.ac.uk                Closing date: 01/09/2026

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Dementia

The main aim of this project is to uncover the impact that the Merseyside Dementia Friendly Radio (MDFR) has on listeners, including finding out who the demographic listening actually are, as well as what the organisation could be doing to better serve these listeners.

In addition, this project aims to gather audience statistics, such as the estimated number of listeners, online streams and popular listening times or days, as well as the geographic spread, including questioning whether there is scope for a wider audience of listeners outside of Merseyside.

This project is open to open to anyone who listens to MDFR, either those living with dementia, or those caring for individuals living with dementia

You can take part in two simple ways:

Online questionnaire – takes about 5 minutes
Telephone or video interview – takes around 15 to 20 minutes

Your feedback will help shape a more supportive, accessible and dementia‑friendly listening experience for everyone.

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If your condition is not listed above, please keep checking this page. Researchers often ask us to help them find people for their studies and we’ll add new opportunities here when they become available.

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If you are a researcher looking to add your study to this list, please visit this page for further details.