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How It Works

Discover How The Brain Health Registry Makes a Difference For A Better Future

Help speed up the discovery of treatments with the Brain Health Registry.
It starts with just a few minutes of your time.

If you are 18 years or over, you can help the Brain Health Registry speed up the discovery of treatments for Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, depression, PTSD, and other brain disorders. It takes just a few minutes to get started. For most people, participation takes less than three hours per year. The steps are easy to follow:

1

Sign up

Tell us who you are, how we can reach you, and electronically sign an informed consent form. That’s all it takes to get you enrolled as a participant.
2

Tell us about yourself

Answer a set of questionnaires about your medical history, current health and lifestyle. Each takes just a few minutes — and you don’t have to do them all in one sitting! You can stop and start whenever you like.
3

Take some tests

Take some online brain tests. These tests are like games and they only take a few minutes to complete.
4

Invite a study partner

Ask a friend, family member, or spouse to join the Brain Health Registry as your study partner. Study partners answer questions that help us gain a more complete understanding of brain health, including information about your brain health, day-to-day functioning and quality of life. If your study partner is a caregiver to you, they will also be able to answer questions about their experience as a caregiver.
5

Come back…and come back again!

We'd like you to come back every 6 months to answer more questions and take more tests. Don’t worry about remembering — we’ll send you an email to remind you when it's time to come back! Our hope is that you will continue to participate over the course of many years. That’s what will really help researchers to understand the human brain as it ages and changes.

In all cases, and with all steps, we respect your privacy. The information you share, and the data we collect from questionnaires and online tests, will be kept confidential.

Some people will choose to take more steps!

Some people will have the opportunity to do more. If you’re one of the few asked, you decide if you want to move forward. The choice is yours.

Study Partner

A study partner is someone who knows a participant well, interacts with the participant regularly, and can give information about the participant’s health, lifestyle, and how they function on a day-to-day basis. A study partner’s report often provides a more detailed, accurate description of a participant’s brain health. In fact, neuroscience researchers often reach out to a research study participant’s study partner to get a better overall picture of the participant’s brain health.

The study partner’s participation in the Brain Health Registry is crucial for us to understand brain health and help decide who is a good match to take part in current and upcoming research studies. Having the pair of you report information in the Brain Health Registry will illuminate a better, more complete snapshot of brain health. Plus, we’re also interested in learning about the study partner’s own brain health.

Clinical Trials

Some participants will be given the additional opportunity to participate in clinical trials for new diagnostic tools or potential treatments for brain disorders like Alzheimer’s, PTSD, sleep challenges or depression.

Genetic Screen

Some people will be asked to provide saliva samples. This allows us to do a genetic screen. Knowing someone’s genetic makeup can help us understand or predict changes in how the person’s brain may be working.

Blood Samples

Some will be asked to provide blood samples. This helps us understand a great deal about a participant’s current health, and can explain, or predict, changes in how an individual’s brain may be working.

Medical Records

Check the box that gives our scientific team access to your medical records. As with all things connected to The Brain Health Registry, we protect your privacy.

Potentially More

As medical science advances, we will look for more opportunities to engage.

In all cases, we respect your privacy every step of the way. The information you share and the data we collect from the online tests will be kept confidential.

Personal Motivations

“

I’ve seen the impact of Alzheimer’s – I’ve had friends who have lost loved ones, and the toll is immense. So I see it as a privilege to help with medical research. I feel like this is a way I can pay it forward to future generations, including my own children.

Jackie BobergSaratoga, CA
“

There are many reasons why I'm participating in the Brain Health Registry, but here's the number one reason: my father. Ten years ago, he was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. I want to help find a cure and participating in this project gives me the greatest opportunity to do just that.

Angela DanielsWindsor, CA
“

It’s been two years since my mom died while suffering from Alzheimer’s. I think about her every day. Participating in the Brain Health Registry is a way for me to honor her. It’s something I can do that’s real and tangible.

John FitzpatrickSan Bruno, CA
“

My godfather has Parkinson's. He's a priest, and the disease is taking away his ability to preach. I signed up with him in mind. If, in the long run, this can help save and empower voices like his, it will be a great thing. And I'd like to be a part of it.

Theresa WalshSanta Clara, CA
“

My college roommate was recently diagnosed with Parkinson's. She's working hard - exercising, meditating, doing yoga - to keep her symptoms at bay, and she's holding on to the positive attitude she's always had. I'm hoping this research can lead to a cure and help her stay positive and vital. That’s why I’m here.

Anne de la RosaSan Mateo, CA
“

PTSD doesn't have to break apart families or end lives, but it often does. Veterans like my dad who go into a war zone and come out with a devastating disorder deserve new and better treatments to help them live normal, happy and fulfilling lives. I am honored to take part in the Brain Health Registry so I might help those who have put themselves at risk in service to the nation.

Roxanna SmithOakland, CA

It’s easy to join!

(You must be 18 years or older)

1. Sign Up

You can join as an individual or with a partner.

2. Tell Us About Yourself

Answer some questions about your medical history, current health, and lifestyle.

3. Do Some Online Brain Tests

These tests exercise your memory, and are like games.