Volunteers needed for brain imaging studies of acute mountain sickness

Here's pretty cool way to become a human guinea pig, while at the same time helping mountaineers, climbers and the advancement of science.

As most adventurers are already aware, traveling to high altitude can result in a variety of symptoms, collectively called acute mountain sickness. The Neural Systems Group at the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) is currently seeking volunteers for a brain imaging research study to help learn why this occurs. The study will involve 5 visits, spread over approximately 4-7 weeks, at both MGH in Charlestown, MA and the testing chambers at the U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine in Natick, MA.

To be eligible, volunteers must be in good general health and currently exercising for at least 20 minutes, 3 times/week. They must be between the ages of 18 and 50 years. Must be willing to have 5 modest blood draws over the course of the study, and must be able to have an MRI.

The total time commitment will be up to about 35 hours. Volunteers will be compensated for your participation.

More than likely you'll never get a chance to climb Everest or K2, but you might be able to help others attain lofty goals some day down the road by participating in this research. For more information on the trials, please click here.


Jeff
Hiking in Glacier.com