PET Study

Welcome to the TAY PET Sub-study

(Positron emission tomography study)

About the study

The aim of the PET study is to investigate the synapse, which is the brain cell responsible for sending messages from one cell to the next. Synapses in your brain can be investigated using a radioactive tag called a positron-emitting radiopharmaceutical (PER; a.k.a. radiotracer), which can be visualized with a camera called positron-emitting tomography (PET) scanner. Studying the changes in synapses over time can help us understand the development of some mental health symptoms.

What’s involved? 

The TAY Cohort Study participants who are over the ages of 16 years old are invited to participate in the study for up to 3 PET scans over the course of 5 years. A PET scan session includes:

  1. PET scan (90 minutes – 120 minutes)

  2. Intake questionnaires and urine screen

  3. Optional venous blood draw and optional arterial line blood sampling

During the PET scan:

  1. You can listen to music, audiobook, podcast, or even have a quick nap!

  2. There will be no loud noises from the machine

  3. You will be laying in the scanner on some pillows with a custom-fitted plastic mask to keep your head still

  4. Only your head is slid into the scanner and we will be able to hear, see and speak with you at all times

Contact Us

If you have any questions about the study feel free to contact us at:

Call/ Text
437-324-7914