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Baycrest launches web-based memory study


Toronto, CANADA – It may be one of the largest scientific memory surveys ever undertaken.

Baycrest is looking for healthy adults, aged 25 and older, to participate in an autobiographical memory study over the internet at www.testingmemory.org. Hundreds are expected to sign on since it can be done from the comfort of one’s own home.

“Any healthy adult with a computer, email and internet access can join this study,” says Dr. Brian Levine, a senior scientist at Rotman Research Institute at Baycrest Centre. Healthy adults are those with no history of brain damage, neurological or psychiatric illness, or major health problems.

The goal of the study is to examine peoples’ memories – what they remember about past events in their lives and what they’re planning for the future. Researchers hope to learn more about the abilities of memory and decision-making across different age groups.

Participants will be shown words (such as “beach”) that prompt them to recall autobiographical events from different periods in their life and to think of events they’re planning in their future. The study takes an hour to complete.

Dr. Levine’s graduate student Nathan Spreng is conducting the study. Spreng has already collected data on 300 younger participants from the University of Toronto. Older adults are especially encouraged to participate.

“This is a very convenient way for someone who wants to contribute to the scientific study of memory to do so without leaving home,” says Dr. Levine. All information will be treated confidentially.

The web-based memory study is funded jointly by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and National Institutes of Health (U.S.).

For every participant who completes the study, Baycrest will donate $5 to one of six charities of their choice: the Alzheimer Society of Canada, Alzheimer’s Association (U.S.), American Head Injury Foundation, Ontario Brain Injury Association, the United Way, or Baycrest Foundation.

To participate in the memory study, click on www.testingmemory.org.