New fMRI Twin Study of Reading and Math
For the last 15 years, we have been working with twins and their families to better understand how genetic and environment affect the development of reading and math skills. We are excited to continue our research with our current twin families and are recruiting new twin families as well. In particular, we have recently received a 4-year, 2.8 million dollar grant to study how the genetic and environmental influences on reading and math are processed in the brain. This grant was awarded by the National Institutes of Child Health and Human Development as a "Learning Disabilities Innovation Hub"—one of only four in the entire United States.
This is the first time any study has integrated brain scanning to understand how genetics and environment are expressed in how the brain is structured and how it functions when reading and solving math problems. As you read this sentence, you are using a very complex neurological network influenced by your genes, but by everything you have learned that allows you to understand what you are reading. The same is true when solving a math problem, such as (3 x 21) + 4.
We are going to be able to look at how genetic differences and environmental differences affect how and where people process reading and math skills in the brain. We hope that this will yield not only better understanding of math and reading, but will also help more quickly identify and treat learning difficulties and more generally tailor learning to a person's particular cognitive strengths and weaknesses.
In order to participate in the fMRI study, twins will visit one of our labs located at The Ohio State University. For this fMRI study, twins must be at least 14 years old. Each twin will receive $100 at the time of the visit for participating and families will be reimbursed for travel expenses.
What to Expect From Your Visit
Upon arriving, you and your child will fill out paperwork with a member of our research team giving your permission to participate in the study. This ensures that everyone, including your twins, are aware of what study participation entails. After we get permission from both you and the twins, we will let you and your children visit our "mock scanner." This will give you and your twins a chance to get comfortable with what the fMRI portion of the study will look like.
At that point, we will test one of your children with pencil and paper- and computer-based measures similar to those we have done during our previous visits in your home. Meanwhile, your other child will complete other reading and math activities in the fMRI scanner. Once the scan of your first child is complete, everyone will take a break and we will provide lunch (our treat). Following the break, your children will switch places; the child who completed the fMRI scan first will complete the paper- and computer-based measures while the other child completes the fMRI scan. You will also be asked to answer some questions about you and your family (similar to those we've asked you before) while your children are completing their tests. The entire testing session will last a total of 4 hours, plus any travel time. We know you are busy, so can schedule your visit across a wide range of times, including weekends.
During the testing sessions, we ask that you stay on campus in case your twins (or we) need you for something. You are free to bring something to keep you busy while you wait. There are comfortable chairs available for reading. We will also have a computer that you can use or you can bring your own laptop (free internet is available). We will also have refreshments for you and can arrange for someone to watch your twins’ other brothers and sisters if you want to bring them.
To help you prepare for your visit, please review the fMRI visit checklist prior to your visit to make sure you have everything you need.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Eating Allowed Before Testing?
Yes, your child should eat before you come, but please advise them NOT to drink too much so that we can avoid stopping the scan for restroom breaks. Also, please advise your children to have food/drinks with low sugar and no caffeine.
What Should My Children Wear?
On the day of your child’s scan, please advise them to wear comfortable clothes. The MRI uses a very large magnet, so your child’s clothing cannot have any metal. Snaps and zippers on pants are fine, but please make sure that shirts and sweaters are free of metal. For girls, please wear a bra without underwire.
Also, please advise your children NOT to wear shirts or sweatshirts with hoods, and to avoid wearing jewelry, metal barrettes, or any body piercings. Any piercings or jewelry will need to be removed prior to testing.
What is fMRI?
fMRI stands for functional magnetic resonance imaging. fMRI uses a large magnet to take pictures of activity in the brain. Your children are asked to lie very still so that we get a clear picture of the brain. From there, your children will be asked to complete reading and math activities while they are lying in the MRI machine. We then use the MRI machine to see what parts of the brain are working when reading and solving math problems. This is a completely non-invasive procedure (no dyes).
Will it Hurt?
The fMRI scan will not hurt. Your children will be asked to lie on a soft table and remain as still as possible. They will have a pillow under their head, and a blanket is available if they get cold. Your children will be able to talk to research staff (and you) while in the scanner and they are free to leave the scanner at any time if they want to.
Can you participate?
fMRI has some unique requirements that you must meet in order to participate.
You cannot have any metal in your body in order to participate. For example, you cannot have:
- Permanent braces/retainers
- Non-removable hearing aids
- Non-removable piercings
- Metal pins or rods (e.g., to repair a broken bone)
- Pacemaker
- Aneurysm clips
Also, you cannot participate if you are claustrophobic, or have severe asthma (in particular, asthma resulting from claustrophobia).
Tools For Parents
We have put together some tools for parents to help prepare children for the MRI scanner. You can find these tools on this page
If you have any questions, please feel free to
email or call us.
- Visit Tutorial - Get a sense of what it's like to be a participant in our study.
- Visit Checklist - Please review before your visit to make sure you have everything you need.
- Things to Bring - Information we need for your visit.
- Map - Where we're at and how to get here.
View Large Map
Directions to Campus
From the north:
Take any major highway to I-270.
Take I-270 West to 315 South.
From SR 315 south, exit at Lane Ave.
Turn left on Lane Ave.
From the south:
Take any major highway to I-71 North.
Take I-71 North to 315 North.
From 315 North, exit at Lane Avenue.
Turn right on Lane Ave.
From the west:
Take any major highway to I-70 East.
Take I-70 East to 315 North.
From 315 North, exit at Lane Ave.
Turn right on Lane Ave.
From the east:
Take any major highway to I-70 West.
Take I-70 West to 315 North.
From 315 North, exit at Lane Ave.
Turn right on Lane Ave.
Exiting Campus
To State Route 315 North: take the Lane Avenue entrance ramp to 315 north.
To State Route 315 South: Take Olentangy River Road south, going past King and Fifth Avenues. The entrance ramp to 315 south is on the left just before Goodale Street.
To I-670: To reach 670 east, take Olentangy River Road south to Goodale. Turn left on Goodale, then left on Neil Avenue and then right onto 670 east.
